The Raiders’ season continues to spiral, and Week 13 was no exception. Las Vegas dropped to 2-11 after a 31-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and despite a change at offensive coordinator, the results looked all too familiar. Interim OC Greg Olson took over the play-calling duties, but the offense remained stuck in neutral - predictable, inefficient, and unable to keep pace.
One of the few tweaks Olson made was leaning more heavily on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. On paper, it made sense.
Jeanty has shown flashes and offers some versatility as a pass-catcher. But against the Chargers, the ground game was a grind.
Jeanty was bottled up for just 31 yards on 15 carries - that’s a rough 2.1 yards per attempt - and was stuffed for no gain or a loss on five of those touches. It wasn’t just a matter of volume; the Raiders simply couldn’t open up lanes.
Still, Jeanty’s role in the passing game continues to be a small bright spot. He caught six passes for 30 yards and has now seen eight targets in three straight games. That kind of consistency in the passing game is rare for a rookie back on a struggling team, and it suggests the staff sees him as more than a one-dimensional option.
Under center, Geno Smith was efficient but limited - 18-of-23 for 165 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick. He didn’t offer much with his legs, finishing with minus-six yards on two carries, and the offense as a whole never found a rhythm. Smith’s stat line looks clean, but it didn’t translate to sustained drives or scoreboard pressure.
And that’s the heart of the issue in Las Vegas: the offense can’t score, and the defense can’t hold. When you’re losing battles on both sides of the ball, it’s hard to stay in games, let alone win them.
Looking ahead, the road doesn’t get any easier. Three of the Raiders’ final five opponents - the Broncos, Texans, and Chiefs - all boast tough, opportunistic defenses.
Then there’s a road trip to face the reigning champs in Philadelphia. The lone matchup that looks even remotely favorable is a Week 17 game against the Giants, who are also deep in the cellar at 2-10.
If the Raiders don’t find a way to steal a win or two, they’re staring down the barrel of just the third two-win season in franchise history - and the first since 2006. That would all but guarantee a top-three pick in next year’s draft. Of course, the players are still fighting - no one in that locker room is thinking about draft position - but you can bet the front office is already looking ahead.
Next up is a divisional rematch with the Denver Broncos, who edged out the Raiders 10-7 in Week 10. That game was a defensive slugfest, and Denver’s offense didn’t exactly light it up. If Las Vegas can find a way to force Bo Nix into uncomfortable downfield throws, there’s a chance - however slim - to play spoiler.
But at this point, chances are few and far between. The Raiders are in evaluation mode, whether they admit it or not. And with five games left, the focus might quietly start shifting from wins to what comes next.