The Las Vegas Raiders have gotten off to a hot start in their inaugural season in Sin City.
Las Vegas took care of business in a Week 1 shootout against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, but seemingly faced a steeper test against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
However, the Raiders made relatively easy work of the Saints, asserting the run game from the jump and getting steady play from quarterback Derek Carr.
Jon Gruden even showed tremendous faith in placekicker Daniel Carlson to hit a 54-yard field goal when a miss would have put New Orleans in a good position to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter.
The AFC West could be a dogfight, especially considering the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs eked out a win in Los Angeles over the Chargers. However, the Raiders are staking their claim as contenders.
Here are three takeaways from Las Vegas' upset win over the Saints on Monday.
1. Josh Jacobs is the focal point
The Raiders were banking on Jacobs' upside when they selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. All he has done is deliver the goods, and then some.
Jacobs had a fabulous rookie season for the Raiders, rushing for over 1,100 yards on 4.8 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns in just 13 games. He was also a capable receiver out of the backfield, though the Raiders did not involve him in the passing game as much as they might have liked.
Nevertheless, it is clear Jacobs is the focal point of the offense.
Jacobs has had at least 25 rushing attempts in each of the first two games, including 27 against the Saints. On paper, the numbers are far from spectacular: Jacobs is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
But Jacobs' YPC negates his explosiveness as a runner and ability to churn out yards at key junctions of the game.
For example, Jacobs had a 14-yard rush on a 2nd-and-15 late in the third quarter, later picking up the first down on a fourth and short. He essentially extended the drive into the fourth quarter and–while the drive stalled after a botched snap–stripped New Orleans' offense of valuable time with the Raiders still in command.
Jacobs also had a long gain on the very next drive to set up an eventual touchdown run by Jalen Richard.
Again, the numbers might not be overly spectacular. But Jacobs is the Raiders' workhorse, and his ability to break tackles and fight through contact for extra yards is invaluable for a Las Vegas offense that has excelled at eating clock.
Carr certainly excelled, and has looked solid in the past two games. However, the Raiders' offense is more successful because of the commitment to the run game, and Jacobs is at the center of it all.
2. Darren Waller is essentially WR1
The Raiders had reason for optimism with respect to the receiving corps heading into the season.
Las Vegas used its first-round pick on Alabama speedster Henry Ruggs III, and former Clemson standout Hunter Renfrow had established himself as a dependable option in the slot.
But an injury to season-ending injury to Tyrell Williams seemed to put a damper on things. Suddenly, Ruggs appeared to be the team's most explosive option out wide, a tough ask for a rookie given the Raiders are hoping to contend.
However, Waller continues to be as difficult a cover as there is from the tight end position, and his connection with Carr essentially warrants WR1 status.
Waller ripped the Saints for 12 catches and 103 yards on Monday, adding a score in the process. He had success in the seams and the flats, and also used his athleticism to make plays and skip tackles in the open field. Waller might have even come close to 150 yards were it not for a pair of poor deep balls from Carr.
It seems unlikely opposing teams will continue to designate single coverage to Waller. He is clearly Carr's favorite option, having now racked up 24 targets in the first two games.
That said, Waller's size and speed will make him a matchup nightmare. Commentators Brian Griese and Louis Riddick even suggested he might be the closest thing to prime Rob Gronkowski the NFL has seen in that regard.
There will be games when opponents force Carr to beat them through the air. But having a guy like Waller forces opposing secondaries to make decisions and adjustments that can open up opportunities for Las Vegas' other receivers.
3. Front seven needs to show improvement
Despite the win, the Raiders' defensive performance did not exactly inspire confidence.
Las Vegas gave up close to six yards per carry on the ground and failed to record a single tackle for a loss. In fact, the game nearly got away from the Raiders after falling behind 10-0, in part because the Saints were running them into the ground.
But for whatever reason, New Orleans went away from the running game, eventually allowing Las Vegas to get back into the contest.
The Raiders' secondary did its job, mostly forcing Brees to throw underneath routes or take shots across the middle of the field. Of course, Las Vegas also benefited from the absence of star Saints wideout Michael Thomas. It should also be noted the Raiders recorded seven quarterback hits on Brees, though they failed to register a sack.
Las Vegas' front seven will absolutely need to show improvement going forward. They absolutely missed linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, who is a bona fide run-stopper in the middle. But eventually, they are going to need to generate steadier pressure with a four-man rush or find ways to pack the box to stop the run.
Next week should be an excellent test for the front seven, as the Raiders travel to Foxborough to take on Cam Newton and a revitalized New England Patriots offense.
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