Hit those switches, AP. Raider Nation is feeling amazing after a Las Vegas Raiders Week 2 comeback win against the perennially contending Baltimore Ravens. Week 3 will be the Silver and Black’s first home game of the year, welcoming a crumbling Carolina Panthers team.
However, Sin City cannot rest on their laurels.
Let’s look at a few concerns to keep an eye on.
Raiders Cannot Play Down To The Competition
Chargers shellacking aside, it feels as though a comfortable win is something the Raiders have struggled to fathom in this writer’s lifetime. The Silver and Black have seen their fair share of games in which they should dominate, but you’re more likely to need life alert than see the stars rest in the fourth quarter.
Not only are the Panthers a hapless 0-2, coming off two embarrassing losses to the Saints and Chargers, but the team just benched their starting quarterback. Second-year signal caller Bryce Young has been ushered to the pine in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
Sure, the Red Rifle is undefeated against the Raiders, but this is a totally different situation. There isn’t a single significant statistic that the Panthers aren’t struggling with. Vegas should ride the momentum from the Baltimore victory straight into a blowout win at home.
Can The Running Game Gain Traction?
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on Zamir White:
“I’m gonna keep pumping him up. Our goal is to get 20+ touches with him. That was the goal this week, didn’t happen. That’s gonna be the goal this week and every week while he’s the starting running back and I’m here.”
Pierce has a 90%… pic.twitter.com/xLEbPRMs4a
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) September 16, 2024
With every snap, Antonio Pierce is learning how important Josh Jacobs was to this ground game. While the media is hearing all the right things, the question remains: is this offensive line capable of blocking better?
In addition to the previously mentioned dilemma, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy needs to acknowledge that Zamir White excels in power looks compared to zone plays.
Raiders run the gap scheme concept long trap and magically Zamir White has a nice 9-yard run.
People were saying I was getting on Zamir but it’s more about the scheme they are using with him. pic.twitter.com/wGpkQK2Krd
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) September 17, 2024
As it stands, Las Vegas is dead last in rushing yards per game with 49. Carolina has been gashed by the run this season—on top of that, their best interior option, Derrick Brown, is out for the season.
In short, the Raiders have no excuses this week.
Will The Devil (Deablo) Meet The Details?
Starting linebacker Divine Deablo found himself benched in the second half of the Ravens game. Luke Masterson would get some playing time, and since he didn’t set the world on fire, we should expect to see Deablo back in his starting role. Well, that’s assuming he can quickly recover from his oblique/concussion.
The Raiders currently lack a suitable replacement if the Virginia Tech product continues to disappoint (when he returns). Moving forward, how his replacement plays against the Panthers could be pivotal.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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