HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — A sign of what was to come occurred on the Raiders' first offensive play Sunday. Kolton Miller jumped early, the first of three pre-snap penalties by Las Vegas' offensive line.
Jackson Powers-Johnson later committed the other two in a span of three plays. It was a rough day for the line, which committed four of the Raiders' five infractions in their 27-20 loss to the Chiefs . The front also couldn't run block against one of the NFL's top rushing defenses, and Las Vegas (2-6) ended the game with 33 yards on the ground and an average of 1.
6 per carry. The Raiders' pass blocking wasn't great, either. Gardner Minshew got sacked five times with Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo going blitz-heavy in the second half.
The line, which includes rookie starters Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze, has been a season-long issue, although the pre-snap penalties should be the easiest to correct. “First play, you get called on three guys moving, right?” coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. "Obviously with the cadence, that’s got to be cleaned up.
And a couple of them are on some younger players, right? Just got to sit there and hold your hat. Those guys, we’re asking them to do a lot right now. Had a big challenge in front of Chris Jones.
Not an excuse. Sit there until the ball is snapped.” Las Vegas' other issues aren't as easy to address.
The Raiders have allowed 3.1 sacks per game, 27th in the league, but their run blocking has been even more egregi.