Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals: 5 takeaways from Week 15

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 16: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders attempts to run the ball past Geno Atkins #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Oakland defeated Cincinnati 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 16: Lee Smith #86 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

Three straight games with a touchdown

Derek Carr managed to find the end zone just once against the Bengals, and it came off a nice one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lee Smith. It might have been the only touchdown of the game for the Raiders, but there was just a bit more significance to it.

It was Lee Smith’s third straight touchdown in three games, going back-to-back-to-back in finding the end zone and connecting with #4. In what many have been quick to label as meaningless games, Smith has formed a nice little chemistry with his quarterback.

The tight end position will likely be one of the needs most in flux come the offseason, with the Raiders taking a look at all available options to identify the personnel that’ll stick around for the foreseeable future. Smith is still under contract next season, and his recent uptick in play is a good sign for both parties.

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