Pete Carroll searches for answers as Raiders' dismal season continues

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HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll, ever the optimist, continues to search for a winning formula for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Nothing has worked so far.

Carroll made two major decisions last month hoping to find a spark for what is now a 2-10 team. He fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, so there aren't a lot of major moves he can make at the moment.

That leaves Carroll looking for other avenues to success for Las Vegas. But they are going to be hard to find for the rest of this season.

The Raiders are 7 1/2-point home underdogs, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, to Denver on Sunday. The rest of the schedule? At Philadelphia and Houston, and then home against the New York Giants and Kansas City.

The Giants also are closing out a rough season, but the Raiders likely will be substantial underdogs in the other three games. But it makes little difference in the big picture — outside of a more favorable draft position — if Las Vegas finishes with two or three victories.

The Raiders' last three-win season occurred in 2014, and the last time they won just two games was in 2006.

To put their dismal season in further context, the Raiders' 14.9 points per game is the third-worst in franchise history. The 2006 team averaged 10.5 points and the 2009 club averaged 12.3.

Carroll and his staff experimented with players on the offensive line in Sunday's 31-14 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, and it didn't matter. Take away a 65-yard drive in the fourth quarter with the outcome well decided, and the Raiders gained just 91 yards.

The team is paying the price for what appears a subpar draft and disappointing free agent signing period.

“The message (to players) is we’re going to look at the stuff that we did well, that we liked and we can build from,” Carroll said. “We’ll look at the issues that we have to deal with. The balance on offense and running the ball, not being able to get that done. Third downs have been a problem. Show reasons why we keep believing.”

Carroll chooses to look at the positives because it’s in his nature.

He also doesn’t have a choice.

Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly intercepted a pass near the goal line. It was the third pick in four games for the Las Vegas native. He had no interceptions in his first two seasons.

The Raiders have had opportunities to win — or at least play more competitive games — beyond their two victories. But they have blown many of their chances, including against the Chargers. That game was 7-7 at halftime. Las Vegas' next opponent, Denver, escaped with a 10-7 victory Nov. 6. A blocked field goal cost the Raiders a potential victory over Chicago. Jacksonville won in overtime when the Jaguars batted down a Raiders 2-point conversion pass.

Moving up in the draft. Watching the Raiders on Sundays is painful for their fans, but there could be a big payoff for a franchise that generally does not like to tank for high picks.

It's difficult to judge Ashton Jeanty because of the Raiders' awful offensive line, but other than a tackle-breaking run here and there, the running back has done little on his own to justify the No. 6 draft pick used on him. Jeanty rushed 15 times for 31 yards at LA. He has gained 635 yards on the ground this season, averaging 3.5 per carry.

TE Michael Mayer (ankle) and C/G Jordan Meredith (ankle) didn't play against the Chargers, and Carroll said he didn't have an update on either player. He called both day to day.

10+ — The Raiders not only have lost 10 games, they have been outscored by 10.8 points per game. That combination has happened only four other times at this point in a season in franchise history — 2018 (2-10, -12.3), 2014 (1-11, -13.4), 1962 (0-12, -13.5) and 1961 (2-10, -14.7).

The Raiders host AFC West rival Broncos on Sunday.

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