By James Brizuela
Copyright newsweek
The Las Vegas Raiders dropped a big game during “Monday Night Football” as the team looked lost against the Los Angeles Chargers.Read more: Tom Brady to End Retirement for Flag Football TournamentQuarterback Geno Smith gave up three interceptions, leading to the Raiders’ lopsided 20-6 loss. Another element that didn’t get going is the run game, as star rookie Ashton Jeanty finished the day with 43 yards on the ground.Jeanty also finished Week 1 against the New England Patriots with 38 yards and one touchdown. These figures are not what was expected from one of the highest-drafted running backs in the league.More news: Chargers Khalil Mack Carted to Locker Room With Apparent Serious injuryFollowing the loss, Jeanty didn’t hold back about the team’s and his own offensive struggles through two weeks of action.”I think we didn’t protect for the quarterback well enough,” Jeanty admitted postgame. “Us, as running backs, we could have done a better job of picking up some of those blitzes. …I think we didn’t really establish the run game, so I feel like they weren’t so much respecting the play-action. We got a lot to fix, work on, I got a lot to get better on. I gotta be a lot better for this team.”Instead of Jeanty putting the blame on anyone else, he started with himself in terms of helping to protect Smith. He also stated that he needed to get better.The star rookie has a bright future ahead of him, and it is up to the Raiders coaching staff to get the best out of Jeanty.Jeanty has the explosive power to be a strong third-down back in the league, but the Raiders are not finding the right ways in which he can showcase his abilities.Las Vegas has some solid weapons with Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and Jeanty. Unfortunately, the team just seemed not to be in sync against the Chargers.The Raiders have a tall task ahead, as they will face off against the Washington Commanders next. They need to figure a way to get the run game going, that way it can open up the passing game far more.Without Jeanty being able to rifle off chunk yardage on downs, the team will remain one-dimensional behind the arm of Smith.For more on the Las Vegas Raiders, head to Newsweek Sports.
