Raiders’ red-zone woes continue as losses mount

The Raiders continue to struggle converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, a problem that persisted Sunday in a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Allegiant Stadium. Las Vegas reached the red zone five times but scored only one touchdown, while the Rams converted all five of their trips into touchdowns.

Entering the game, the Raiders ranked fourth in the league in red-zone trips but 21st in touchdown conversion rate. After Sunday, they are tied for second in trips but have fallen to 27th in conversions. "It's very disappointing, especially with the emphasis we've put on it," coach Klint Kubiak said. "When it comes down to it, we have to make plays down there when we have our one-on-one opportunities. We've got to make the throws, we've got to make the catches and it didn't happen."

Quarterback Kirk Cousins said it is difficult to identify a single cause, noting the team's inability to run the ball effectively is a major factor. "I think it's really a team game, and we've just got to all kind of do our part," Cousins said. "I've got to hit throws when they're there and there's just any number of things that come up."

The Raiders settled for field goals on each first-half red-zone possession. Their first second-half drive ended at the Rams' 13-yard line when Cousins missed Cody White on fourth-and-2 after the Rams took away tight end Brock Bowers. Cousins later connected with Ashton Jeanty for a 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but threw three straight incompletions from the 18 before another field goal with 4:11 remaining.

A pivotal moment came in the third quarter when a fourth-down pass to Jalen Nailor from the 25 was initially ruled a catch but overturned to an incompletion. "The one I really want back is the fourth down to Jalen down (near) the red zone where he dove for it, wasn't able to come away with it," Cousins said. "At first, they ruled it a catch but felt like that ball should have been thrown better to him. That's the one right now that sticks in my mind."

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal