It’s not debatable that the Raiders’ defense was worse than their offense last season. They allowed the sixth-most points per game (26.2) in the NFL and created the second-fewest turnovers in the NFL. But if the Raiders want to be a legit playoff contender, the offense needs to improve dramatically.
In a recent article by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, the Raiders were one of five offenses that are expected to improve during the 2020 season. One spot they can improve on this season is in the red zone as they scored touchdowns on just 52 percent of their trips inside the 20s. Take a look at why Moton believes they can improve in the red zone this season:
(Jon) Gruden should also have more success in red-zone situations because of tight end Darren Waller’s growth at the position. The addition of role players such as Jason Witten and rookie third-rounder Bryan Edwards, and running back Josh Jacobs’ second-year growth, should also improve the offense’s output.
The Raiders would be wise to use Waller more in the red zone given his size and athleticism. With his length and ability to out-jump defenders, Gruden could look to “post up” the former Georgia Tech star.
Another option that Moton didn’t mention is second-year tight end Foster Moreau. Despite playing behind Waller, Moreau was still able to catch five touchdowns on just 371 offensive snaps. Like Waller, he is an elite athlete that knows how to use his body to shield defenders. Moreau is a sneaky bet to lead the team in touchdown receptions this season.
If the Raiders can become a top-15 team in the red zone, they will instantly become a better and more efficient offense. If not, they will continue to struggle to be a consistent offense. How the Raiders perform in the red zone will likely dictate how successful they are as a team this season.
