Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Titans in 2022 Week 3

Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Titans in 2022 Week 3

Don’t stray away from the run game

The concerns about the offensive line are justifiable, but an efficient run game is paramount to the success of the passing game as well. While Las Vegas’ overall talent through the air may overshadow their competency on the ground, it doesn’t mean that the Raiders should completely abandon the run game each week.

As we’ve seen in the past two weeks, Las Vegas makes the ground game a focal point in the first half, only to stray away from it in the last two quarters.

The Raiders are averaging the second-fewest rushing attempts per game at 17.0. That’s despite having an adequate rushing yards-per-attempt average of 4.2, which ranks 19th in the NFL. Surely the Raiders can improve on that front, but to see an incremental lift means giving more opportunities to the backfield. Josh Jacobs had 10 carries for 57 yards against the Chargers in Week 1, with a solid 5.7 yards per carry against a formidable defense.

Jacobs has had some success through the first two weeks, and sticking to the ground game may have even helped run out the clock to seal a win last week against the Cardinals (if the coaching staff truly were playing not to relinquish the lead). Not straying away from running the ball will be essential from kick-off to the final whistle against the Titans.