Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is visibly unhappy with the performance of his offense, and rightfully so, after the team's disappointing defeat against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. The final score of 10-7 highlighted the struggles faced by the Raiders, particularly in their offensive strategy.
After the game, Carroll addressed the media, voicing his concerns about the effectiveness of the Raiders' offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly. This isn't the first time Carroll has criticized Kelly's play-calling, specifically pointing out his tendency to shy away from the ground game. Despite Carroll's previous remarks, he noted that Kelly was indeed making an effort to establish a running game during the match, yet the results were lacking.
“We’re not scoring enough points,” Carroll stated emphatically. “That’s about as obvious as you can get. We’ve got to run the ball better. Chip was trying. He was staying with the running game to try to not let them tee off on us. We’ve got to score more.” This statement underscores the urgency for improvement in the Raiders' offensive tactics.
The statistics from the game reflect the struggles of the Raiders' offense. The team managed to accumulate only 74 rushing yards on a total of 25 carries, which translates to an average of just 2.96 yards per carry. Furthermore, the Raiders secured a mere four first downs via the ground game, a significant indicator of their offensive inefficiency.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who was drafted with high hopes as the sixth overall pick, was expected to be a game-changer for the Raiders' running game. However, he fell short of expectations, finishing the game with only 60 yards on 19 carries. His performance has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Raiders' offensive strategy moving forward.
Through nine games this season, the Raiders' offense has struggled to find its rhythm, ranking a dismal 30th in the NFL with an average of just 15.4 points per game. This statistic paints a clear picture of the challenges the team faces as it seeks to revitalize its offensive production and achieve greater success on the field.
As the Raiders look to turn their season around, the focus will undoubtedly be on enhancing their offensive capabilities, particularly in the running game. Coach Carroll's candid assessments may serve as a wake-up call for both the players and the coaching staff as they navigate the remainder of the season.