Raiders offense: Aerial attack producing

Las Vegas should stick with passing game as it figures out ground woes

Gardner Minshew atop passing categories at the close of Week 2 play?

You better believe it.

The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback was first in completions (55) and completion percentage (77.5 percent) and tied for first on throws 20 yards or more with nine. Minshew was also second in yards thrown (533) and tied for second in first down throws (26), heading into Week 3 action.

Minshew’s top two targets on the young season — rookie tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Davante Adams — are in the top five in receptions. Bowers is in a three-way tie for second with 15 (behind Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp) while Adams is in a six-way tie for third with 14. Adams’ 169 yards through two games is good for seventh in the league while Bowers’ 156 puts him 11th.

That’s quite the feat through two games as Las Vegas’ offense continues to find its bearings, isn’t it?

The Raiders boast the eighth- and seventh-ranked passing attack in the NFL in terms of attempts and yards. And while the Baltimore Ravens defense hasn’t been it’s usual stingy self in the last two games — between its losses to the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, the team has yielded 514 passing yards, just one more than KC’s 513 total — the team boasts quality players at every level of defense.

So you may scoff at the Raiders being able to play pitch and catch, but results are results.

And while yes, there will come a time where Las Vegas will need to lean on a consistent run game, the Silver & Black should stick and even amplify it’s productive passing attack.

Especially in this Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers (0-2).

While the NFC South foe is reeling from the first two weeks of the season — resulting in a quarterback change from Bryce Young to veteran Andy Dalton — the Panthers do present a challenge through the air. Yielding only 69 passing yards to the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) this past Sunday and 135 to the New Orleans Saints (2-0) in Week 1, Carolina boasts the second- and ninth-ranked passing defense (at least statistically) in the league.

What better way to showcase offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme and play calling, along with Minshew’s and crew’s production isn’t a fluke and legit, than to do it against a team that has yielded very few passing yards?

Las Vegas must exercise caution this Sunday, even against Carolina.

Minshew leads a dubious statistical category amongst NFL quarterbacks: Sacks taken. He’s been dropped a league-high nine times losing a total of 75 yards in the process. Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams is right there with nine sacks absorbed (for 69 yards) with the San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy following with eight (28 yards lost) and the Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson also with eight (45 yards lost).

In fact, the very first play by the Raiders offense against the Ravens defense, Minshew was sacked by Odafe Oweh, losing the ball in the process. Fortunately, left tackle Kolton Miller recovered the loose ball to allow Las Vegas to maintain possession.

Pierce was in “leave no stone unturned” mode in that game swapping in Andrus Peat to replace Cody Whitehair at left guard. But in the second half, Whitehair was once again at that spot.

While the Raiders aerial attack found it’s footing against the Ravens, the ground game is milk carton missing absent.

Perhaps Miller returning to form after two regular season games — he did miss the entire offseason working his way back to Week 1 — and 2024 second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson potentially suiting up and playing after being inactive the first two games of the year provides a much-needed jolt up front.

Because Pierce didn’t stutter in his assessment of Raiders rushing production — which is 30th in attempts at 39 and dead last in yards with 98.

“Man, it’s got start up front. It’s got to start up front,” he began, “I’m going to be honest and a coaching cliche here, but it starts with me. It starts with our coaches, our offensive line coach, our coordinator. That’s poor, that’s piss-poor, and it’s not good enough.”

Well, the Panthers just so happen to have the 31st ranked rush defense in the league with 399 yards allowed on 81 attempts.

Pierce eventually wants his Raiders to punch opponents in the mouth with a punishing run game to set the tone. Then balance with a grueling ground game and a dizzying array of aerial attacks.

One aspect of the Raiders offense is working. And no need to shy away from it, if the running backs Zamir White and Alexander Mattison can’t churn out the yards on the ground.