Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Jaguars in 2022 Week 9

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs onto the field prior to the start of an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs onto the field prior to the start of an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Jaguars in 2022 Week 9

Improved passing offense

Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow have played together through all four quarters in just two of seven games this season. Injuries from the preseason that carried into the regular season have surely impacted the chemistry of the offense, which has resulted in a subpar passing offense.

Yet with the season on the brink, the Raiders can’t afford to be this underwhelming through the air.

Derek Carr is just 17th in passing yards per game, 18th in yards per attempt, and 17th in touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s also completing just 62.9 percent of his passes, which is 25th among signal-callers. Yes, the receiving unit has taken a hit from injuries, but Las Vegas can’t afford to take a step back in their passing offense after adding the best receiver in the league.

Renfrow and Waller simply have not played well when healthy, and Adams is coming off a putrid performance of one catch for three yards on five targets. Josh McDaniels has been heralded as an offensive guru but through seven games it’s clear he needs to earn that title as coach of the Raiders.

Getting the passing offense back on track, regardless if the top trio is back on the field, is paramount to success on Sunday.