Raiders @ Jaguars
Final Score: Raiders 20, Jaguars 27
Writer: Erik Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr: 21/36, 259 Yards, 2 TD
Derek Carr felt the pressure on the opening three and out of the game but responded with an excellent second drive where he overcame multiple holding penalties while peppering Davante Adams with touchdowns. Their next drive ended on a 3rd and 11 where the play call was a running back screen, one of those moments where you would like to see Carr and Adams take a shot at converting the first down. The Raiders converted the ensuing field goal to go up 10.
Carr tacked on a 38-yard touchdown on a play fake where Adams was wide open, and Carr appeared to be on his way to a monster game. Carr missed an open Ameer Abdullah in the end zone to wrap up the first half — Abdullah had a step on a linebacker, but Carr lofted the ball too much and underthrew his receiver. It was a difficult throw, but one he would like to have back.
After the Raiders came out with conservative play-calling to start the second half, Carr nearly threw a pick-six on the ensuing third down attempt leading to a punt. Carr began to lose his connection with Adams in the second half, with a drop and an inaccurate pass stalling out drives. As Jacksonville began to get more pressure on Carr, he began to speed up and lose rhythm. Down four late, Carr forced a pass to the sideline into double-coverage looking for Adams that could have been intercepted. He then misfired on 3rd and 2 and fourth and 2 to give the ball back to the Jaguars in field goal range.
It’s hard to say what changed for the Raiders after the hot start. The flashes are there for a better offense than what we saw today, but Las Vegas needs to put it all together to become a legitimate fantasy performer.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 17 Carries, 67 Yards | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yard
Brandon Bolden: 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Zamir White: 1 Carry, -1 Yard
Ameer Abdullah: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Josh Jacobs had a nice run of 23 yards called back early on a holding penalty. He was bottled up for most of the first half but finally got things going on the Raiders final drive of the second quarter, running tough between the tackles and rumbling for extra yardage. He looked good throughout when given opportunities on the ground and through the air, and broke tackles early and often. Jacobs did come off the field on third downs but did nothing to downgrade his stock going forward.
Ameer Abdullah had an end zone target where he was open but underthrown, but was otherwise a non-factor.
Wide Reciever/Tight End
Davante Adams: 17 Targets, 10 Receptions, 146 Yards, 2 TD
Hunter Renfrow: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 26 Yards
Mack Hollins: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Ameer Abdullah: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Foster Moreau: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 42 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Davante Adams caught his first pass of the game on the second drive, as he motioned into the backfield and caught a short pass. He followed it up with another catch over the middle on the next play to convert a 3rd down and medium. Adams then converted a first and 20 as Carr found him while on the move. Faced with another 20-yard conversion on the same drive, this time on third down, Adams caught a short pass and worked after the catch to set up a 4th and manageable. Naturally, Adams was targeted again on a 4th and 4 on the ensuing play and converted the first down. Adams wrapped up a dominant drive with a physical touchdown catch on the sideline on a go-ball, and he was on his way to a monster fantasy day.
Adams scored his second touchdown on a play-action, fake reverse where his defender fell down and he was wide open for a huge touchdown. With two touchdowns early in the second quarter, he seemed en route to a truly massive game. Adams chipped away on short receptions in the second half and did have a drop that would have gone for a first down. His connection faded with Carr down the stretch, but he was the clear number-one option in the passing game and looked like the Adams that we all know well.
Hunter Renfrow had a short screen pass called back on a holding penalty. He then had a difficult sideline catch downfield that displayed excellent feel for the sideline. But he was mainly an afterthought to Adams.
Mack Hollins converted a third and 8 with a 13-yard reception over the middle of the field, but was otherwise quiet, and will struggle to find opportunities when Adams and Jacobs are being fed the ball.
Foster Moreau‘s biggest reception came early, where Carr broke outside the pocket and found an open Moreau, who weaved his way through the defense for an excellent game. He also had a third-down conversion in the second half, but was not a major part of the passing attack.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 25/31, 235 Yards, TD | 6 Carries, 53 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Trevor Lawrence was docked two fantasy points on an opening drive fumble on a missed connection on a pitch, a difficult scoring decision for Lawrence’s fantasy managers. It was a promising drive where the Jaguars were moving the ball well through the air. Things appeared to be headed south when Lawrence narrowly avoided a safety to start the next drive on instant Raiders’ pressure, and the Jaguars would punt shortly after. After a third-down conversion that Lawrence threw behind Evan Engram, the Jaguars punted the ball back to the Raiders down 10 points, and the Jaguars appeared to be headed for a disappointing game.
Down 17-0, Lawrence converted a key third and 8 as he juked a free defender and rushed for a first down. He rushed for another key conversion before the end of the half on 3rd and 3, breaking free up the middle and rushing for a 24-yard gain. Jacksonville would kick a field goal to bring the game to 20-10 to end the half.
After a strong drive to start the second half, Lawrence found Christian Kirk in the end zone despite a red zone holding call that set the offense back. Lawrence had an impressive 3rd and short conversion where he used his legs to buy time before completing a pass to Marvin Jones Jr. Overall, Lawrence operated the offense extremely well, showing a strong arm but most importantly using his legs in key situations. More rushing would go a long way in making Lawrence a factor in fantasy leagues, and today was a great sign in that development.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 28 Carries, 109 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
JaMycal Hasty: 3 Carries, 6 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Travis Etienne Jr. was blown up on an early third and 1 attempt where he probably had no chance regardless, but he did a poor job working towards the line and lost a significant amount of yardage. He began to find some room after they fell down 17-0, breaking a run outside for a 9-yard game where he showed his speed. He followed that up with a 6-yard loss where the line was blown up. Etienne then began to take over the drive, showing just how quickly he can pick up yards with his speed, both outside and up the middle. After rushing down to the one-yard line, Etienne was given the goalline carry and converted for a touchdown.
Etienne capped off another scoring drive as Jacksonville fed him the ball in the red zone, getting him the ball in creative ways as he ran tough. Etienne began to take over down the stretch at the Jaguars iced the game. He is a fast and powerful runner who has a stranglehold on this backfield. He looked effective on his receptions as well, something that will hopefully become more frequent in the upcoming weeks.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Christian Kirk: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 76 Yards, TD
Marvin Jones Jr.: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 48 Yards
Zay Jones: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 40 Yards
Dan Arnold: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 19 Yards
Luke Farrell: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
Evan Engram: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Chris Manhertz: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Christian Kirk was quiet in the first half, but Lawrence began to pepper him with targets in the second half. Kirk had a nice sideline catch on the opening drive, and Lawrence went right back to him on the next play. Kirk capped off the drive with a touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone on a play that looked designed for him. Kirk converted a key third down later in the third quarter, catching a pass in his comfort zone over the middle. He was generally the target in key situations as the offense got rolling, though he did not stand out with any play-making ability.
Evan Engram had a red zone screen pass in the second half for his only reception. He left the game late with a back issue, but was a non-factor for most of the game regardless.
Marvin Jones Jr. and Zay Jones alternated opportunities when they weren’t going to Kirk or Etienne. Both looked competent and had a good rapport with Lawrence, but there is very little playmaking ability between these two. When the read takes Lawrence to them, they will get the ball. But neither is getting many designed looks in the offense.