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) 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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1074137728-850x560-bad11ab2304c222f74dd80613ae974628736f92401ef98076d8e0163689d944b.jpg)
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.