While the weather forecast calls for a high of 93 degrees and sunshine on Tuesday, it’s looking pretty gloomy for the Las Vegas Raiders. After getting blown out by the Washington Commanders last Sunday, the Raiders have suffered back-to-back losses and the offensive line is arguably the team’s biggest problem. The latter is the primary focus of the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings roundup.
NFL.com
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 24
The Raiders made some fun and interesting additions this offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but nothing is really working as it should right now. The blocking up front hasn’t been the sole reason for the unit’s struggles, but it’s at the top of the list of concerns right now. Geno Smith might not make it through the season if he keeps taking hits and sacks at this rate. And it’s hard to get the ball to your first-round running back if there are no holes through which Ashton Jeanty can run. That’s not to suggest Jeanty hasn’t been disappointing on his own, which I would say he has. But given the limitations, including Brock Bowers playing hurt, it’s hard to put much blame on the rookie. Combine that with allowing 41 points to a backup-QB-led team, and the vibes seem pretty dour. — Eric Edholm
Kolton Miller (82.6) and Jordan Meredith (62.6) are the only Raiders offensive linemen with a grade from Pro Football Focus above 60, the baseline mark for PFF, and Meredith barely crosses the threshold. That, combined with Edholm’s note about the defense struggling against the Marcus Mariota-led Commanders, is the primary reason why the outlook for the Silver and Black is low right now.
Sports Illustrated
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
This Ashton Jeanty stat is absolutely mind-blowing and hopefully instructive for Raiders fans who keep wondering why he isn’t being force-fed 35 times a game. One hundred and one percent of his rushing yards this season have come after first contact. One. Hundred. And. One.
Adding to this, PFF currently has Jeanty tied for fourth among running backs with 13 missed tackles forced when running the ball. So, it may not seem like it, but the Boise State product is doing a lot of what he showed in college; he just has defenders in his face as soon as he touches the ball.
Bleacher Report
23. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
The Washington Commanders don’t have a legitimate pass-rusher on their roster. No, Von Miller doesn’t count at this stage of his career. This fact makes the Raiders’ inability to properly protect quarterback Geno Smith even more alarming.
Washington sacked Smith five times, hit him on eight occasions and applied numerous pressures. The Raiders offensive line is in shambles right now, because it’s struggling to win one-on-one matchups and pick up games. If Las Vegas can’t properly protect its quarterback, the trade for Smith will have been negated. Furthermore, the group needs to open holes for this year’s sixth overall draft pick, Ashton Jeanty, who is currently averaging 3.1 yards per carry through three games. — Brent Sobleski
In fairness to the offensive line, Smith isn’t helping matters by locking onto reads and taking too long to get rid of the ball. That being said, the line was bad in pass protection last weekend and is currently tied for the third-most sacks (six) that they are responsible for, per PFF. DJ Glaze has been the biggest culprit with 12 pressures allowed (two sacks), while Alex Cappa (one sack) and Dylan Parham (two sacks) are next with 11 pressures surrendered each.
The Athletic
25. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 20
QB confidence: He’s not why they’re losing
Geno Smith has brought what the Raiders were looking for and solidified that position. He ranks seventh in the league in yards per attempt and threw three touchdowns without any interceptions Sunday. But the Raiders haven’t been able to get the running game going with rookie Ashton Jeanty. — Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
The Athletic went with a different angle to their power rankings this week, focusing on each team’s quarterback and the confidence in them moving forward. I can agree that Smith has played well (or at least decently) in two out of three games, but he was the primary reason why the Raiders lost to the Chargers in Week 2. It’s hard to win when the quarterback throws three interceptions.
ESPN
22. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
Biggest issue on defense: First-half defense
In first halves this season, the Raiders are eighth worst in points allowed (15.7 per game) and third worst in total yards allowed (214 per game). The Commanders picked the Raiders apart through the first two quarters Sunday with 20 points and 259 yards, including 174 on the ground. “We just got to play better,” Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “There’s going to be no excuses with this group. We know everybody knows you got to take accountability, and we got Chicago this week at home, so we got a lot of work to do until then.” — Ryan McFadden
ESPN touched on the other side of the ball, which has exceeded expectations so far this season. Well, except for last week…
It is interesting to see the breakdown of the first half statistics, though. In the first two games, the unit buckled down in the second half, allowing just six total points during the third and fourth quarters. But getting off to a faster start should be a point of emphasis for Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham moving forward.
