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Raiders Mailbag: A look at coaching changes and more as team reaches the bye week

Ron Flores asks:

"What kind of offense will we have moving forward?"

The Raiders announced Tuesday that pass game coordinator Scott Turner was promoted to interim offensive coordinator.

Fortunately for the team, Turner has previous experience as a play caller, serving as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator for three seasons. The Silver and Black also brought in his father, Norv Turner, to be a senior advisor after previously head coaching the team from 2004-05.

As for what will change within the offense, I wouldn't assume there will be a huge overhaul schematically considering we're nine games into the season. Nevertheless, what Turner could play a big role in is establishing an identity in the run game – which is ironic considering his initial role with the team. In last last two seasons in Washington, his team was ranked 12th in the league in rushing yards, while the Raiders currently have the second-fewest rushing yards in the league. Success in the Raiders rushing attack will also open up opportunities in their aerial attack and keep defenses guessing.

"[L]ooking right, sounding right, matching the philosophy and idea of what I preach – which is physicality, ability to run the ball, taking shots down the field, protecting the football first and foremost, disciplined up front," Antonio Pierce on what his ideal offense looks like. "I think what we're going to do going forward, we've got to deal with what we have to.

"Obviously, we're dealing with injuries. A lot of new players are in and out of the lineup. We've got to do what's best and gives us the best opportunity to win, whatever that may be. If it's throwing the ball 60 times, fine, if it's running it 60 times, fine, but we've got to find a balance and an identity on offense going forward."

John Atilano asks:

"Why is the red zone our kryptonite?"

While red zone efficiency hasn't necessarily been terrible this season, improving in this area could unlock the Raiders offense.

The Silver and Black has reached the red zone 22 times this season, ranking at 27th in the league. However, when they do get in scoring position, they've scored a touchdown 59.1 percent of the time – which is 11th in the league currently.

Calling the Raiders red zone offense "their kryptonite" is a bit of a stretch, but something they can improve on considering their recent struggles before the bye week. In their previous three games, they've gone 3-of-7 in the red zone – not being able to maximize on multiple turnovers from the defense to get them there.

"[W]e weren't doing enough as a staff and as a team to overcome our mistakes and downfalls," Pierce said Monday. "And obviously again, I'm going to go back to it, we had plenty of opportunities, either in the red zone or a turnover, a big play on special teams to create those opportunities for our team to win."

So far this season, the Raiders have found most of their red zone success on play action passes and with running back Alexander Mattison who has three rushing touchdowns.

View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.

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