Three Raiders players to watch on offense vs. Packers

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Oct 8, 2023 2:45 PM EDT

Featured Image Via Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled on offense this year, whereas we thought it would be the offense carrying the defense. For the most part, both sides have been bad. But, unlike the defense, the offense can go off any given week; we are just waiting for that week.

Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers could be when the Raiders offense clicks. The offense is due to a big game, any game now. The Raiders head coach, Josh McDaniels, keeps telling everyone it's only a matter of time. If it is this week, there are three players that we need to watch on that side of the ball.

Here are the three players we need to watch for:

3 Raiders players to watch vs. Packers

Josh Jacobs, RB – Josh Jacobs, the 2022 rushing leader and maybe the best pure running back last season, has yet to have that game this season; that signature game, that is. Jacobs has been progressively improving, though it's time for the offensive line to do their part.

The line has done great in pass blocking but has struggled to create any space for Jacobs to run. Maybe this is the week when Jacobs goes for a huge game.

Hunter Renfrow, WR – Renfrow was non-existent for the first two weeks, but it wasn't his fault. In Week 1, Renfrow played 22% of offensive snaps; this week, he played 65%. Week 2 was much better, but there is no reason he should have gone through all of Week 1 without a target and then one target in garbage time against the Buffalo Bills.

Since then, he has played about the same number of snaps but has been more involved each week, with his number of targets increasing more and more each week. Last week, he had four targets, so let's see if the Raiders try to give their 32-million-dollar man some attention.

Michael Mayer, TE – Both Josh McDaniels and Mick Lombardi, the Raiders offensive coordinator, talked about getting Mayer more involved in the offense outside of just blocking in the run game, which he has been good at.

Let's see on Monday if they keep their word. Mayer has showcased good route running so far but hasn't really had the ball thrown to him. He has just two targets so far in 2023.