Las Vegas Raiders Henry Ruggs Effect: Creating an explosive offense

Raiders rookie Henry Ruggs returned from injury in Week 5 after missing the two previous games, and his return made a massive difference.

Although Henry Ruggs III has not put up eye-popping statistics so far for the Las Vegas Raiders, the difference he makes when on the field is incredible, and the offense plays at another level, whether Ruggs is getting the ball or not.

In Week 1, where Ruggs put up three receptions for 55 yards, the offense scored 34 points in a victory over the Carolina Panthers, a team who currently sits at 3-2. Ruggs made one big catch in the game to put the team at the 1-yard line, where Josh Jacobs would score a touchdown, but the defense as focusing on him all game long, opening up a lot of opportunity.

In Week 2, Ruggs was clearly not healthy, but played in the game anyway, mostly as a decoy. Although Ruggs only had one catch for four yards, he brought a ton of attention upon himself, opening up shorter routes for Derek Carr to throw to, and taking a ton of focus off of Waller, allowing him to have a massive game.

Ruggs also had big plays when being targeted, as Carr threw him a deep ball late in the game that caused a pass interference to make Las Vegas retain possession. They would score 34 points, claiming another victory.

Struggling without Ruggs in the lineup

Ruggs missed games 3 and 4 against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, and the offense was clearly missing their deep threat. The Patriots showed no respect to the Raiders deep ball, playing up close the entire game, and doubling up on covering Waller. The Raiders struggled to get anything going without Ruggs on the field, as the Raiders would score a season low 20 points in a loss.

The next week, the Raiders would host the Bills, and once again, the Raiders offense would struggle to find the end zone. The Raiders finished the game with 23 points, seven of which came near the end of the game when the game was basically out of reach.

Ruggs would make his return in Week 5 against the Chiefs, having the best game of his career so far with 118 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders were able to throw the ball all over the field, as they scored a season high 40 points on the defending Super Bowl champions.

When Ruggs is playing, the Raiders offense is averaging 36 points per game and is 3-0. When Ruggs is not playing, the team averages 21.5 points per game and is 0-2. Whether Ruggs’ individual stats show it or not, he is the difference maker this offense needed, and was no doubt the correct choice in the draft.