Raiders Need More From Pass Game, Regardless of QB

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a flat offensive performance against the Minnesota Vikings, posting only 202 total yards and failing to find the end zone.

The Raiders cannot afford another quiet offensive game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who might be without star quarterback Justin Herbert because of a broken finger, but they still have plenty of capable, explosive offensive playmakers.

Running back Josh Jacobs suffered a quad injury on Sunday against the Vikings, and he did not practice on Monday. If he cannot go, the Raiders might have to lean on their passing game.

However, that element of their offense faces question marks as well. Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell has only two touchdowns against four interceptions in the last three games, and Interim Coach Antonio Pierce left the door open on a potential change at that position.

That change would likely be re-inserting Jimmy Garoppolo into the starting role, a position he held for six games, passing for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Raiders, they will need more success from their passing game, as having wide receivers Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Hunter Renfrow, and not being able to score a single touchdown is unheard of.

Some of the route designs in the Raiders’ loss to the Vikings did not help O’Connell either. On second and 18 in the first quarter, only running back Ameer Abdullah was there for an easy check-down that could have put them in a more manageable third down situation. O’Connell did not see him, and he was sacked.

The Raiders’ leading receiver last Sunday was Adams with 53 yards. Hunter Renfrow had 46 yards, 38 of them coming on one catch. No other Raiders receiver had more than 25 yards.

The Chargers’ defense allows 261.9 passing yards per game, the fourth-most in the NFL. While they have some talent in their defensive backfield, they have been torched through the air this season.

Whether the Raiders decide to keep O’Connell as the starter or make the move back to Garoppolo, this game is a chance to get the passing game going.

The Raiders’ wide receivers have produced this season, so the quarterback needs to give them opportunities, especially against the Chargers’ secondary.

The Silver and Black will turn around quickly and host their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, on Thursday, December 14, at 8:15 p.m. EST/5:15 p.m. PST.

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