Third things first: Raiders must address struggles out of halftime locker room

The Las Vegas Raiders offense ranks sixth in the league at 27 points per game, but a troubling pattern has emerged coming out of halftime. Through six games, the team has gone three-and-out or worse on its first drive of the third quarter five times and has yet to score a point on those possessions.

The Raiders are averaging just 2.76 yards per play on their initial second-half series, far below their overall average of 5.3 yards per play. Against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the opening play of the third quarter — a deep shot intended for Brock Bowers — fell incomplete after pressure forced quarterback Kirk Cousins to rush his throw. Two more incompletions followed before a punt.

Coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the issue is putting the team in a difficult position, noting the Raiders have been outscored in the third quarter during their current three-game losing streak. "We had a play on, and I think it was a good play versus first what they called, and we didn't execute up front," Kubiak said. "You have to get all 11 guys playing well, and that's my challenge. Can't wait to attack it, though."

The coaching staff is examining its halftime process and plans to build a simulated intermission into practices this week to rehearse the transition. "We'll practice it the best we can and it's an absolute point of emphasis," Cousins said. "It's got to be better." Kubiak added the staff is working to identify common factors and put players in better positions to succeed.

The struggles have persisted regardless of game script. Cousins threw an interception on the second play of the third quarter in the opener against Miami, and the offense stalled against the Chargers and Saints. In the loss to Kansas City, the Raiders moved the ball before turning it over on fourth down at the Chiefs' 18-yard line. The only game Las Vegas started on defense in the second half came against New England, where the Patriots drove for a touchdown before the Raiders offense went three-and-out.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal