The Las Vegas Raiders dropped their third straight game against the Tennessee Titans. Their first-half woes were too much to overcome, and they are now 0-3. There were many disappointments, but we will highlight the biggest ones from this most recent loss against the Titans in Week 3.
Time to call out Raiders HC Josh McDaniels
Head coach Josh McDaniels was hired for his offensive philosophy, and with the addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders fans were excited about the potential of this offense.
Three weeks into the season and the offense has been inconsistent. This time around, McDaniels’ play calling really hindered the Raiders’ offensive ability. During the first half, the Raiders played it really conservative and scored 10 points on a short-handed Titans defense.
Running back Josh Jacobs was looking really good despite having an illness, but McDaniels kept going away from the run game and was spamming passes. The Titans caught on and were able to defend the Raiders’ offense. In a game where you need to own the time of possession, Jacobs only had 13 carries on the night.
If it wasn’t for wide receiver Mack Hollins, the Raiders’ offense would have been shut out again during the second half. Hollins kept making clutch play after clutch play. All told, McDaniels once again went away from Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams.
The inconsistent play calling and lack of aggressiveness that McDaniels has shown thus far has really hindered the ability this offense has.
Chandler Jones has been a bust three games in. Let’s call it what it is.
Defensive end Chandler Jones had another dud of a game. He ended the night with a whopping one tackle and one quarterback hit.
Jones doesn’t look engaged and has been leaving this Raiders defense hanging. His partner in crime, Maxx Crosby, has been doing his part, but Jones has been silent through the first three weeks.
People were saying Jones was asked to play differently against the Arizona Cardinals because of quarterback Kyler Murray, but his effort level was still the same. There is no juice during his pass rush reps and the Raiders desperately need it.
It might be time to kick the tires of defensive ends Malcolm Koonce and Tashawn Bower.
Darren Waller… That was a rough one.
This was possibly one of the worst games that tight end Darren Waller has ever played for the Raiders. He caught three balls for 22 yards on five targets. His two other targets were costly drops that hurt the Raiders. The first one was during the first half, when he was wide open and had a potential touchdown, but he attempted to catch it with one hand and was unsuccessful.
Then his second drop was during the second half, when it hit him right in the hands. He couldn’t control it, and the ball fell right into Titans’ safety Kevin Byard’s hands. If Waller held on, the Raiders would’ve had a touchdown. The usual sure-handed Waller will have to hit the jug machine this week and make sure to catch the ball with two hands.
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*Top Photo: Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images