Chain movers: Raiders’ offense better on 3rd down

In Week 1 against Denver, the Raiders’ offense converted a crisp 10 of 14 attempts on third down.

While that remains their high mark this season, it set a positive tone.

After Week 10, the Raiders ranked fourth in the NFL in thirddown success, having converted 48% of their tries. Sustained for a full season, that would be the Raiders’ best conversion rate since at least 1991, according to NFL.com. They finished last season at 37%.

Asked Thursday about thirddown efficiency, offensive coordinator Greg Olson replied: “A lot it begins on first down.”

After the Raiders’ win over Detroit on Nov. 3, it was noted that running back Josh Jacobs had rushed 28 times (for 120 yards) without a carry for a loss. Told of the stat, head coach Jon Gruden said: “It’s big. It’s a big formula we have here.”

In short, as Olson said, by staying “on schedule” with positive gains on early downs, the Raiders avoid “third- and-unmanageable situations.”

So far, they’ve done a good job of that. In nine games, the Raiders have run more thirddown plays with 5 or fewer yards to go (59) than with 6 or more yards to the marker (52).

That has happened once in their past 20 full seasons: In 2001, the last year of Gruden’s first goaround as head coach (113 to 96).

Unlike that team, which ranked 24th in the NFL in rushing, the Raiders this season have leaned on a running game averaging 4.7 yards per attempt (8th) to keep their offense moving. Jacobs, the lead back most often on the field on early downs, ranks fifth in the NFL, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt.

However it’s achieved, quarterback Derek Carr said this week, the effect is significant.

“Thirdand3 in this league is a lot different than 3rd and 8, that’s for sure,” Carr said. “It gets a lot more exotic. I’ve shown some of my buddies some of the 3rdand8 blitzes in this league and they have no clue. ‘How do you put that in on ‘Madden’?’ This isn’t a video game.

“It’s a different game when you get to those midtolonger distances. You see stuff. People are coming out of the ground sometimes. … These defensive coaches are too smart, you got to give them a lot of credit. But we give our offensive line and Josh a lot of credit for staying efficient in the run game and in our quick passing game that everyone loves so much.”

Olson, who has previously noted Carr’s understanding of Gruden’s playcalling this season, cited that Thursday as one factor in the rate of manageable thirddown situations.

“Understanding on first and second down what the intent of the play is, is a big part of it,” said Olson. “I know that’s a big part of Derek’s learning of the quarterback position, too, is understanding the intent of the play and where it is in the particular situation.”

In thirddown situations, meanwhile, Carr has been particularly effective. His 138.1 passer rating on third down leads the league and his 9.5 yards per attempt average is second. Carr has thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions on third down. And in situations between 3rdand3 and 3rdand10, the Raiders have converted on 32 of 61 passing plays.

Carr said the Raiders have “just been really good as a whole with our process, from our coaches putting together a plan, our linemen picking up blitzes and our guys winning on routes.”

Olson said the offense puts an emphasis on thirddown plays and pressures in practice on Thursdays.

“I think running the rock and wearing down on their defense helps,” left tackle Kolton Miller said. “We have a line that communicates and is on the same page with protections, and the backs pick things up, which cuts down on QB hits. I think just everyone being on the same page is what makes us really efficient.”

The Raiders had one of their least efficient thirddown games (4 of 12) in last week’s win over the Chargers. After netting 184 yards through three quarters, though, the offense drove 75 yards to score the gamewinning touchdown on an 18yard run by Jacobs on 3rd-and -1.

“It was very encouraging,” Olson said. “I think they are playing with confidence right now. That comes through playing with experience and having success. And I think we’re a pretty confident offensive group right now.”