Why did the Raiders abandon the run sport vs. the Cowboys? – ABC7 Los Angeles

LAS VEGAS — Numerous moments may describe the Raiders' night of despair of their 33-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night time Soccer."
Amongst them had been Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and large receiver George Pickens choosing aside the Raiders' protection. One other was a tipped cross leading to Raiders quarterback Geno Smith rising his interception complete to 13. Then there was Dallas lining up in victory formation with 2:30 left within the fourth quarter whereas "Let's go, Cowboys" chants echoed all through Allegiant Stadium.
Maybe the most important and most head-scratching was the Raiders' unbalanced offensive method that was the driving pressure of their descent to 2-8 for the second straight season. Las Vegas went with a designed cross on 84% of its performs — the workforce's highest charge in a sport since 2012.
Nonetheless, rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty — the sixth choose on this yr's draft — had six carries for 7 yards. He gotjust two within the first half. Following Pete Carroll's fourth straight loss, the coach admitted to influencing the workforce's offensive sport plan, hoping it may create explosive performs early after which deal with the run sport within the second half.
"There was a bunch of play-action passes. And I actually wished to see us do this," Carroll stated after Las Vegas totaled 27 yards on 12 carries. "There's just one individual to take a look at, me, as a result of I used to be an affect within the sport plan. … [Offensive coordinator] Chip [Kelly] and I knew what was occurring."
Certainly, the Raiders had been efficient within the play-action sport at instances. Smith was an ideal 5-of-5 for 70 yards on play-action passes within the first quarter. He completed the sport with 132 of 238 yards coming from such performs. In the meantime, tight finish Brock Bowers was efficient, totaling seven catches for 72 yards on 12 targets.
However Las Vegas' heavy emphasis on the cross sport got here at the price of abandoning what was meant to be the bread and butter of the offense. And the outcomes nonetheless mirror what the Raiders have displayed in earlier weeks. Las Vegas had 236 complete yards and failed to attain not less than 20 factors for the fourth time in 2025.
The Raiders' 4 carries within the first and second quarters had been their fewest in a gap half since 2008 (Week 9 vs. the Atlanta Falcons — three rushes). Las Vegas had just one designed run in three journeys to the pink zone. Carroll stated the Raiders as soon as once more preventing from behind contributed to their lack of run performs.
"I don't actually care about pleasing individuals with our run/cross combine. I'm attempting to maneuver the soccer," Carroll stated. "I wished to get the ball to Brock a bunch and see what he may do. … I'm chargeable for that."
Jeanty got here to Las Vegas with the expectation of being closely featured within the sport plan. His rookie season has discovered him in the course of a tug-of-war on methods to make the most of the previous Heisman Trophy finalist.
"It's as much as the fellows upstairs," stated Jeanty — who had 60 speeding yards and a landing on 19 carries final week in opposition to the Denver Broncos. "I simply take no matter I can get. … I can't management [my workload]."
With 13:29 to go within the second quarter, Jeanty burst up the center for an 11-yard carry. He didn't obtain one other handoff till the beginning of the third quarter, when he was pushed out of bounds for a 3-yard loss.
The Raiders didn't even attempt to run the ball with Jeanty afterMaxx Crosby's strip sack within the first quarter put them at Dallas' 15-yard line. Smith was sacked for a 7-yard loss earlier than the offense didn’t get a primary down on the next two performs, leading to a subject purpose.
"I'm not the offensive coordinator, so on the finish of the day, no matter they name, I'm going to run," stated Jordan Meredith, who performed proper guard as a substitute of middle on Monday. "… You at all times wish to get the run sport going, particularly when you’ve got someone like Jeanty."
One other wrinkle within the Raiders' plan was accidents to the offensive line. Las Vegas performed in opposition to an upgraded Cowboys' defensive entrance with out left sort out Kolton Miller and proper guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, each of whom are on IR with ankle injuries. The Raiders had Will Putnam making his first profession begin at middle.
The expertise discrepancy was noticeable.
Jeanty had 4 carries that resulted in no acquire or a lack of yards. Within the fourth quarter, he was swarmed by a number of Dallas defenders, resulting in a security. Las Vegas' offensive line didn't present a lot assist within the cross sport, both. Smith was pressured on 16-of-49 dropbacks.
"It's not about doing something extra. Now we have nice practices, we work exhausting, and with regards to sport time, simply do your job. Everyone's received to do their job," Jeanty stated.br/]

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