Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
In his first two NFL games, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has yet to crack 20 or more carries. Jeanty recorded 19 carries in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, and that number regressed with only 11 carries in the Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Moreover, Jeanty has yet to hit 50 rushing yards in a game this season. It’s been a challenging start for the 21-year-old in the NFL; however, Raiders coach Pete Carroll isn’t concerned about the running back’s production through two weeks.
After the loss to the Chargers on September 15,Carroll spoke to the media and was asked about Jeanty’s production.
“We’re just getting started,” Carroll said postgame. “He’s breaking into the NFL. He’s figuring it out. When he had 11 or something carries, he’s already had 11. He’ll get more. That’ll come. We’re going to have to run the football better than we did, more effectively.
“We got to get more yards; we have 50 or 60 yards or something rushing — that’s not enough. We got to get more than that. I’d like to see that just as well as you would. The issue with him, trying to get him 25 carries or something like that, we’re breaking him in. So that’ll come.”
Lack of Run Game From the Raiders
Whether it was the Raiders’ offensive line for not generating running lanes, it was a terrible night for Las Vegas against the Chargers on the ground. Jeanty only had 43 rushing yards; behind him were Geno Smith with 20 yards and then Tre Tucker with seven yards.
Overall a forgetful night on the ground for the Silver and Black, they will need to improve their running attack. As the loss against the Chargers showed, having Smith make 40-plus passing attempts isn’t a recipe for success, as it led to three interceptions from the veteran quarterback.
It will be interesting to see what Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly can muster up as the Raiders need to get their running game going if they want to succeed this season.
Las Vegas’ Home Struggles Continue
Last season, the Raiders struggled at home as they could only record two home wins. This season, it’s not off to a good start at home with their loss to the Chargers. One of the issues former Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson wanted to see was the Silver and Black win more home games and it’s not off to a good start.
“What will give me more belief in the Raiders is if they can win at home,”Woodson said on the September 14 edition of “FOX NFL Kickoff.” “Last year, they went on the road to beat Baltimore and the great Lamar Jackson, and then they came home the next week, and they lost to Andy Dalton and theCarolina Panthers.
“So they got a big matchup at home Monday night against the Chargers. If they could get a win at home in front of the home crowd and give the home fans something to believe in, then I will believe. So I’m waiting on Monday night to see what happens in that game.”
The Raiders don’t have to worry about a home for Week 3 as they’ll be heading out on the road to take on the Washington Commanders on September 21.