Raiders placing emphasis on fixing early-season Achilles heel
After back-to-back setbacks to dampen the enthusiasm around a strong start, the Las Vegas Raiders are getting a closer look at the flaws in their plans.
The Las Vegas Raiders are focusing on addressing their early-season Achilles' heel, as they aim to rectify the issues that have dampened the enthusiasm around their strong start. Head coach Klint Kubiak has stressed the importance of keeping coaching points manageable, emphasizing that the team should concentrate on one or two goals per day instead of overwhelming themselves with a long list of objectives.
One of the primary areas of concern has been the running game, which the Raiders have previously attempted to improve. Currently, the Raiders rank last in the NFL, averaging just three yards per carry. This inefficiency was evident in their recent loss to the New England Patriots, where the Raiders had to abandon the running game due to an early deficit they could not recover from.
The health of running back Ashton Jeanty, who has faced ankle and foot injuries throughout training camp, remains a question mark. Despite playing in the Patriots game, Jeanty's continued status is being closely monitored. However, Kubiak expressed optimism about Jeanty's physical recovery and his potential to contribute more in practice.
Other running backs, such as Dylan Laube and Mike Washington Jr., have shown promise and could help bolster the running game. Kubiak also highlighted Washington's potential, noting that the rookie has earned the trust of the coaching staff. This week presents an opportunity for the Raiders to rectify their offensive issues, as the Bills defense ranks fifth in the NFL for giving up the most points (28.2 points per game). If the team can unlock the rushing game, it could serve as a foundation for a turnaround.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.