HENDERSON, Nev. – What was supposed to be the foundation of the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense has become a weakness. The Raiders vowed to have an offense centered on the running game, seeking to improve one of the league’s worst ground attacks in 2024. However, after two games, the Raiders’ running game resembles more the effort of last year. Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Commanders, Las Vegas ranks 28th in attempts (43), 31st in yards per game (62.0), and is tied for 29th in first downs per rush (8). Several factors have contributed to the Raiders’ difficulties, including inconsistent run blocking and the utilization of rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. One thing is clear: if Las Vegas wants to reach its offensive ceiling, the team must find consistency in the running game.
The use of Jeanty has been questioned. On the second play of Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Chargers, the number 6 overall pick ran for 13 yards. He cut left and pushed Chargers safety Alohi Gilman before being tackled at the Raiders’ 35-yard line. But Jeanty didn’t touch the ball again until the 11th play of Monday night, a running attempt that resulted in minus 5 yards on the third offensive series. Kelly said the game’s score dictated the use of Jeanty on Monday night. The Raiders were down by 11 points at halftime. The Angels then opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 72-yard drive that consumed 7:30 of game clock. The Raiders responded with a 19-play drive that extended into the final quarter. But due to a holding penalty in the red zone on left guard Dylan Parham, they were forced to settle for a field goal and resort to their two-minute offense despite 11:19 remaining in regulation.Offensive coordinator Chip [Kelly] has always been a run-heavy guy, and so am I, and that’s why we agree on that. The numbers haven’t been as good as we want in the first two games. We want more from [Jeanty]. He ran really well when he had the ball, and we just needed more plays.
Pete Carroll
In the first two games of Jeanty’s NFL career, he is first among rookie running backs in carries (30) and second in yards (81). Jeanty hasn’t had many of the big plays on the ground that made him a standout player in college football. He only has two carries of at least 10 yards. Even so, he says he is not worried about his production, and he is confident that his numbers will increase.When you analyze the run and pass breakdowns per game, it really depends on the situation that presents itself.
Chip Kelly
Kelly said the team has been cautious with Jeanty in what will be a long season. He doesn’t want to add any wear and tear to Jeanty’s body so that the Heisman Trophy finalist can be in top form throughout the year. Jeanty’s snap count decreased from 54 in Week 1 to 39 in Week 2.I think it’s very rare for a guy to come in and just break it right away. So I don’t feel anything about it. I need to improve. And the great performances that everyone might be waiting for, those will come.
Ashton Jeanty
Kelly referenced his time as offensive coordinator at Ohio State, when the team split carries between TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. In 16 games, Henderson averaged nine carries, while Judkins averaged 12.1 to help the Buckeyes win a national title last season. Jeanty, on the other hand, averaged 26.7 carries per game at Boise State, as he was the focal point of the offense.If you play [tight end] Brock [Bowers] and Ashton, or any of those guys, on every play of every game, by the time you get to Game 8, you won’t have any players left, because there’s a certain number of plays. We’re not sitting players in games here, but I think you have to be aware of it over the course of 17 games. If some guys [are] running the ball 30 times a game, they only have so many carries in a season.
Chip Kelly
Carroll expects Jeanty’s workload to increase in the coming weeks. He wants Jeanty to play eight or nine more plays so he can have around 20 carries in a game. Jeanty said he looks forward to the opportunity to have more repetitions.Both ran for 1,000 yards, but neither had 20 carries in a game. We knew from the beginning of the season to the end of the season that we needed to protect these guys.
Chip Kelly
But increasing Jeanty’s workload won’t completely solve the team’s problems in the running game. The offensive line must also improve. The unit hasn’t provided much support, and it occupies the last place in the league in ground block win rate (62%) entering Week 3. Last season, the Raiders ranked 22nd in ground block win rate (71%).I don’t think a guy like me gets recruited not to get carries and touches. I’m ready for the responsibility.
Ashton Jeanty
We can definitely improve, and we will over time. There are so many complexities about what happens up front, and it’s the identification, then the proper communication, and then the execution of it. They have to go in sequence. That’s different from other positions. And so, it always takes time.
Pete Carroll
