‘Everybody’ at fault as Raiders offense sputters in 2-6 start

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce admitted Monday what has become obvious about his struggling team.

Pierce, asked if there was one thing his offense could rely on, answered with a solemn “no.”

The Raiders’ lack of an identity was apparent the last two weeks when they took two different approaches in the red zone against the Rams and Chiefs and failed both times.

The team had a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line late in the fourth quarter against Los Angeles on Oct. 20, trailing 20-12. The Raiders passed the ball three straight times and gained zero yards. They settled for a field goal. The Rams held on for a 20-15 win at SoFi Stadium.

Then, Sunday against the Chiefs, the Raiders had a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line trailing 17-13 in the third quarter. They ran the ball three straight times for zero yards, then quarterback Gardner Minshew was sacked on fourth down.

Kansas City pulled away after its goal-line stand for a 27-20 victory at Allegiant Stadium. Pierce said the Raiders “are still trying to find our identity.”

“We want to run the football. We want to be physical up front, win the line of scrimmage,” Pierce said. “That didn’t happen last night. We got knocked back in critical moments. Not all the time, but in critical moments. Especially when we were down near the goal line.”

Pierce said the Raiders’ issues are simple.

“We’re not executing at a high enough level,” he said. “When there are opportunities there, we’re not making them. And that’s really the bottom line.”

Pierce said “everybody” on the team is culpable with the Raiders averaging 18 points per game, the seventh-fewest in the NFL.

Finding solutions

One of the main things holding the offense back is execution. That makes finding the solution more complex.

There are examples of the team putting things together for stretches. The Raiders (2-6) scored an opening-drive touchdown Sunday for the third time in four weeks.

They got points their second possession as well, grabbing a 10-7 lead thanks to a 54-yard field goal from kicker Daniel Carlson.

“We sustained a couple of good drives,” Minshew said. “Had some big third-down plays by the receivers. The run was hitting.”

Then everything screeched to a halt. The Raiders didn’t score when they got the ball back with 1:57 left in the first half and didn’t score again after receiving the second-half kickoff.

Their next three drives resulted in a field goal, their turnover on downs near the goal line and a Minshew fumble.

Pierce would like to see the Raiders try to sustain success by building on what’s working. Even if that means offensive coordinator Luke Getsy repeats a few calls.

“I think you just gotta always go back to plays that’s working,” Pierce said. “There’s nothing wrong with repeating plays. You see that from other teams. And again, I’m not saying we don’t do that. It comes down to execution.”

Offense comes and goes

Execution was a sore spot for the Raiders on Sunday, as they were unable to handle the second-half pressure packages Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was dialing up. Those gave Minshew less time to find wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers downfield like he was in the first half.

Pierce said everything Kansas City did was expected and that the Raiders prepared for it. They just didn’t do a good job of blocking things up. That includes in the running game, as they finished with 33 rushing yards on 21 carries.

Until and unless the Raiders start carrying out their assignments better, it’s going to be difficult for them to win games.

“It’s going out there, hearing the call, and doing what you’re asked to do,” Pierce said.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.