Bucky's Breakdown: Why the Raiders keep coming up short on gameday

Oct 09, 2025 at 10:15 AM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

Before a team can win consistently in the NFL, they must learn how to avoid losing games in the league where most games are decided by eight points or fewer. While there is no disputing Pete Carroll's status as one of the greatest coaches in the game, he must teach the Raiders how to win in his debut season. After stumbling out of the gate with a 1-4 start, the Silver and Black are learning hard lessons that will help them eventually become the playoff contender that Carroll envisions.

Given some time to evaluate the All-22 coaches' footage on the Raiders' first five games, here are a few reasons why our favorite team is coming up short on gameday.

Turnovers are killing the Raiders

The turnover battle is the No. 1 deciding factor in football at every level. Teams that take away the ball and protect are the ones who routinely chalk up wins. The Raiders are currently 1-4 due to their inability to protect the football. Through five games, the team has the second-most giveaways (10), with Geno Smith leading the league with nine interceptions. Opponents have converted seven of those interceptions into points (35), with the corresponding drives leading to four touchdowns and three field goals, per CBS Sports.

With the Raiders sitting at a minus-six turnover differential — the second-highest in the league – the team's subpar record is not surprising based on the cumulative record (6-24) of teams with minus-four or worse differentials. Despite Carroll's emphasis on protecting the football and taking it away, the team has inexplicably struggled with turnovers, particularly with Smith.

The veteran surprisingly made a series of poor decisions and errant throws, resulting in interceptions on deflected passes or overthrown tosses. As a two-time Pro Bowler who flourished under Carroll's tutelage, Smith knows better and must get back to the basics to avoid the mishaps that have hurt the team. Moreover, the team must adhere to Carroll's "it's all about the ball" philosophy (protect it and take it away) to flip the turnover ratio and get back on track as a winning program.

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The special teams have not been special in 2025

The Raiders' kicking units have struggled mightily this season. The team has given up a pair of blocked kicks (field goal and punt) and allowed a 90-yard punt return score. Additionally, the Raiders are allowing the third-highest kick return average (28.1), while posting the second-worst field goal conversion rate (75%) through five games.

While it is common to see a team struggle initially in one area of the kicking game, the Raiders' issues with every unit suggest major problems with the schemes, execution and personnel. The collective inexperience of the coverage units has led to mental miscues, blown assignments and egregious errors from a kicking squad featuring several holdovers, including kicker Daniel Carlson, punter AJ Cole, and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, which is a huge disappointment.

The lack of lane integrity against Jaylin Lane on a punt return score, the soft edges exposed on the Raiders' field goal and punt protection that resulted in game-changing blocks, and the lackluster results in the kicking game have been critical factors in each of the Raiders' losses. The team must address these issues throughout the practice week to emphasize the importance of winning the oft-overlooked "third phase" of the game. If the Raiders can improve their attention to detail in meetings and upgrade the personnel on the coverage units with more defensive players on the field, the team can eliminate the big plays in the kicking game that are costing them points and prime field position.

Must get the running game going ASAP

The running game is a critical part of Carroll's winning blueprint, as he wants to control the game and dictate the action through a ground-and-pound approach that sets the table for an explosive play-action passing game.

Despite their best efforts, the rushing attack has been a major disappointment, with the Raiders averaging 112.6 rush yards per game. The NFL's 20th-ranked rush offense has yet to impose its will on opponents for 60 minutes, with Ashton Jeanty and Co. taking a sledgehammer to the defense. While injuries to the offensive line and a natural acclimation period to the NFL have limited the rookie to 69.8 rush yards per game, the Raiders' RB1 has shown flashes of "take over the game" traits with a 21-carry, 138-yard effort against the Chicago Bears that showcased his talents as a workhorse runner.

Although the encore in Week 5 did not feature another 100-yard game, the rookie amassed 109 scrimmage yards on 19 touches (14 rushes and five catches) in a disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts. As offensive coordinator Chip Kelly starts to understand how to unlock Jeanty's superpowers, while setting up a complementary play-action passing game that mirrors a dynamic rushing attack, the Raiders can get back on track as the ground-and-pound outfit that Carroll envisions.

It might require more time and patience for the plan to come together, but a dominant running game will pave the way for the Raiders to have sustained success utilizing a blueprint that has worked well for Carroll at every stop.

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the weight room during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.