Raiders offensive line improves vs. Bears

The Raiders rushing offense has been 2nd to last in the NFL in terms of EPA while dead last in success rate prior to this weeks performance vs the Bears. The Raiders came into week 4 facing one of the NFL’s worst run defenses in terms of success rate allowed, EPA allowed, and overall YPC where the Bears ranked bottom 8 in all categories. Las Vegas and Ashton Jeanty took advantage of this rushing for 240 yards and a 7.7 average on 31 attempts. For the first time this season, Raiders 6th overall pick Ashton Jeanty logged over 20 attempts while adding another 2 receptions (both went for touchdowns). On the ground Jeanty finished his day with 21 attempts for 138 yards, a touchdown and a long of 64 yards. In addition, Raheem Mostert, who was making his Raiders debut, logged 4 rushes for 62 yards including a long of 37 late in the 2nd half. Jeanty saw success behind Kolton Miller where he was able to log 8 attempts for 113 yards and a TD, with crucial blocking from Miller, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, and the Raiders tight ends. Mostert also saw success to this side of the field, with one attempt for 37 yards.

The Raiders, with Jackson Powers-Johnson back at RG, were able to effectively run to the right side following just 0.7 YPC on over 12 attempts to that side last week. Jeanty and Mostert combined for 11 attempts and 46 yards to the right side of the field. Jeanty was able to log north of 20.09 mph on his long rushing TD. With his performance, Jeanty now ranks inside the top 10 for NFL running backs in terms of yards, YPC, attempts, and still remains first in yards after contact. On Jeanty’s 64 yard rushing touchdown alone the rookie from Boise State totaled 27 after contact and an impressive 48 over expected on the day (21 came from that play alone). The Bears attempted to neutralize the run game with forcing 8 man boxes 27% of the time, the most in a game this year vs the Raiders, which saw some success but the Raiders were able to continue working well in their run blocking to make strides and win at the line of scrimmage.

In pass protection, Geno Smith, who struggled heavily, was not sacked for the first time in a game this season. The Raiders allowed Smith to be pressured on less than 15% of his attempts and two of Smith’s three interceptions came while not pressured. The Raiders did lose Kolton Miller at the end of the game and his injury could be pivotal for the remainder of the season in terms of pass protection and run blocking. Las Vegas for the first time this season saw success throughout the game and as a result were able to operate an effective running game due to the strong interior offensive line success. DJ Glaze, coming off a poor week 3, allowed just 2 pressures on PFF initial review and Dylan Parham who’s struggled this season allowed 0.