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Raiders Mailbag: How can the offense continue its upward trajectory?

Tommy Hinkle from Pennsylvania asks:

"Can Zamir White and Alexander Mattison hit the 100-yard mark together this week?"

This would be as good of a week for the Raiders to get the run game going.

The Carolina Panthers have surrendered the second-most rushing yards (399) to opposing offenses through the first two games along with three rushing touchdowns. However, the Raiders are focused on getting their rushing attack going, which has been their glaring flaw so far this season. Zamir White is averaging 3.1 yards per carry while Alexander Mattison is averaging 2.2 rushing yards a carry.

"Being in sync with one another and understanding what we're trying to do on each and every play," Dylan Parham said of what he believes will help the offense. "Just take it one play at a time, exerting yourself and being as physical as you can on each and every play you get an opportunity."

Head Coach Antonio Pierce has also been vocal about the lack of the team's ground game, holding himself and everyone involved accountable.

"We need to run the ball, it needs to be balanced," Pierce said bluntly. "Right now, we haven't been balanced, and that's really tough on our offensive line. It's tough on our quarterback because guys are just teeing off. They're in three-point track stances just running laps around our guys. That's not how we want to play football, nor is that how we want it to look. So, I think it's really critical that we – I think first, foremost – if there is a negative play, you've just got to stick with it, right? You see teams each and every time, just keep pounding, pounding, pounding away. Then come to the fourth quarter, you break one."

John Feehely asks:

"Will Jackson-Powers Johnson practice this week or play in Week 3?"

While addressing the Raiders' difficulties getting the run game going, the return of Jackson Powers-Johnson could be beneficial.

The former All-American at Oregon hasn't had the luckiest offseason since being drafted. The rookie has missed time with various injuries and ailments, but has been in the building with the team through the process and is still ramping up his conditioning on the field.

"It's been a lot of catch-up but I've had a lot of fun in the process of doing it," Powers-Johnson said. "Building a routine and getting back into it but I'm just trying to get in shape and excited to be out there."

Last Sunday against the Ravens, the team shuffled between Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat at right guard. Pierce stated Monday that he's hopeful Powers-Johnson will be active this Sunday. The rookie did not appear on the injury report for Wednesday's walkthrough and it's not impossible to imagine the rookie getting a few reps against the Panthers.

"I feel like I can help in anyway that I can," Powers-Johnson said. "They drafted me for my physicality and my attitude and I'm just going to give it 100 percent and do as best as I can. But if I'm out there, I know that I'm going to give 100 percent and I'm going to contribute in some way."

David McGillis from Kansas asks:

"Can we remain as one of the least penalized teams in the NFL for the whole season?"

The most overlooked trait of the Raiders this season has been how disciplined they are as a unit.

Through two games, they've been penalized five times – the least in the NFL. This has been a pattern since Antonio Pierce took charge last season as interim head coach. In the two home games last season against divisional rivals Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, the team didn't commit a single penalty. With this disciplined approach, it's highly probable they'll continue playing a smart brand of football.

"It's been something that's been preached heavily since AP has been here," Kolton Miller said. "Disciple and communication, especially pre-snap, is something that's emphasized. We work on having good hand placement to limit those calls and it's something we're going to continue working on."

View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 2 win against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

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