The Raiders came up just short of upsetting the Chiefs on Sunday, but if there is any such thing a “moral victory” in the NFL, Klint Kubiak’s bunch probably deserved one in week 4.
Through the first month of the season, the Raiders have been better than anyone expected but still have some areas to clean up.
Based on Sunday’s game, here’s what the Raiders have reason to be a little concerned about and maybe their most encouraging surprise of the season to this point…
The running game continues to be a disappointment
Prior to the season, if there was one area of the team Klint Kubiak was all but guaranteed to fix, most would have predicted it would be the running game.
Last year, the Raiders were least effective rushing team in the NFL (77.5 yards per game) and Kubiak seemed like the perfect coaching candidate to fix that. Kubiak’s teams in New Orleans and Seattle were both top-10 ranked offenses in the league, but that success hasn’t carried over to the Raiders.
Ashton Jeanty averaged 3.9 YPC against the Chiefs on Sunday, but most of his 58 rushing yards came on a 19-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
Jeanty still seems to be hampered by an ankle injury, but it’s also true that run blocking has been a major issue in the last three weeks.
Kubiak acknowledged after Sunday’s game that the running game needs to be corrected and there’s no question that will be a point of emphasis for the coaching staff this week.
The Raiders need a no. 1 wide receiver
Technically, Bowers is a wide receiver in Kubiak’s offense, which is fine, but when Bowers plays wide receiver, the Raiders don’t have an elite tight end.
That’s not a slight of Michael Mayer, who has played well in the first four games, but opposing coordinators aren’t staying up late trying to figure out how to defend Mayer.
On Sunday, Kirk Cousins only targeted wide receivers only 13 times while tight end and running backs were targeted 34 times.
Tre Tucker and Cody White have played admirably, but a true no. 1 wide receiver would take the Raiders’ offense to another level.
Kirk Cousins is playing like a top 10 quarterback in the league
Kubiak won’t be happy that Cousins had to throw the ball 52 times on Sunday, but he will be happy that Cousins was able to move the ball downfield when everyone knew the Raiders were passing.
Cousins threw for 365 yards against the Chiefs and showed the arm strength to make difficult throws against a talented Kansas City secondary.
At 38 years-old, Cousins went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, and he remains tied with Brock Purdy for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (11).
At the rate things are going, it could be a while before Fernando Mendoza gets on the field.
Did the CBS cameras even cut to Mendoza during the game?
x: @raidersbeat
Kubiak is the man but taking the points off for a 4th & 2 opportunity is dumb when we could be up 6.
I disagree with we need a #1 WR. Queefs are winning w/o one & have won super bowls without Hill. Plus, there’s other teams with dominant WR’s but they’re not the best teams in the league.
Cousins is playing good ball but he’s what he’s always been & defenses aren’t scared of the deep ball with him. I think inserting Fernando in @ some point will open up the running game. Need a quarterback that can hit those chunk plays