In a game the Las Vegas Raiders had to have, they got it done on the road. Here is how the passing offense fared in the 16-14 win.
Derek Carr Achieves Milestone
After the Raiders offense played a dreadful game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders had to rebound in this one. As usual, much of this falls on quarterback Derek Carr. Against the Browns, Carr went 25 out of 38 for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The touchdown came on the Raiders’ first drive of the game, where Carr was exemplary. Having thrown no incompletions on the drive, he finished it off with a beautiful goal-line fade to receiver Bryan Edwards. “4” has always excelled at throwing this route, and this one, couldn’t have been thrown any better.
Bryan Edwards puts the Raiders on the board first 🙌@NFL | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/W37duuPB6C
— FanSided (@FanSided) December 20, 2021
Following this, however, Carr and the Raiders’ offense cooled off considerably. Simply, the offense played terribly in the second half. The interception, however, was almost entirely his fault. Attempting to hit Zay Jones on a post route down the middle of the field, Carr sailed it just a bit too much and it landed directly in the arms of Greedy Williams. While Carr did make the correct decision based on the coverage, it was a very poor throw that easily could have cost them the game late in the fourth quarter. Either way, it is encouraging to see him be aggressive in spite of the lack of talent the Raiders currently have on the outside.
In this one, he also went over 4,000 yards passing. It is the fourth year in a row he has done so, and he has already tallied the highest mark of his career. His season totals are 4.162 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He was also credited with his 28th career fourth-quarter comeback.
Lack Of Options At WR
Ever since the loss of Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders’ lack of talent at wide receiver has been evident. Outside of Hunter Renfrow, the group isn’t good. Although Bryan Edwards had the touchdown in this one, he also had a fumble that, although recovered by Las Vegas, cost the team field position. He also had a drop to start the second half. He somehow managed to turn three catches into just eight yards on the day.Â
Jones has been just as dreadful since being asked to step up in the absence of Ruggs. Although he led the Raiders in receiving yards in this game with 67, he brutally misjudged a deep ball from Carr, a theme with him on the season. He just isn’t a starting NFL wideout. DeSean Jackson is not exempt from this either. Although he had a big eleven-yard catch in the first quarter, he did nothing else and also committed a brutal drop in the third quarter.
Reinforcements On The Way
The Raiders again were without star tight end Darren Waller in this one. The good news, he should be returning on Sunday against the Denver Broncos in Las Vegas. While he won’t solve all of the offenses’ problems, he is the best player on the team, and Carr needs a guy he can trust that doesn’t wear “13”. Waller, who hasn’t played since Thanksgiving, should substantially boost the passing game.
Against the Browns, the Raiders passing offense did enough to get the win. However, with some massive games coming up, they will have to be much better. Unfortunately, other than the return of Waller, not much is going to change for Vegas. The passing game will be built around Waller and Renfrow while the boundary receivers struggle to gain traction. The Raiders can still make the playoffs, and it will be up to Carr and this group to keep them afloat.
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*Top Photo: Ron Schwane/Associated Press