The Las Vegas Raiders are used to their stud left tackle keeping their quarterback clean; through the first five weeks of the 2024 NFL season, however, that was far from the case. With six sacks allowed from Weeks 1-5, Kolton Miller was responsible for more sacks than any other offensive lineman league-wide by 2.
Luckily for Sin City, Week 6 presented a much different and more familiar story.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, the 2018 Raiders first-rounder returned to his expected form. Miller took the field on 44 pass blocking snaps and came out of the week surrendering zero sacks against a formidable Pittsburgh defense.
Not only did Miller allow zero sacks on Sunday, but the UCLA alum surrendered a total of zero pressures, hurries, and quarterback hits combined.
For his efforts, Miller received a pass-blocking grade of 90.7 in Week 6 via Pro Football Focus. This grade was not only the highest grade among all tackles to play in the week, but ranked first among all offensive linemen of any position league-wide.
Things are starting to get back on the right track for Las Vegas’ O-line.
The Raiders went into Week 6 with the 28th-best offensive line via PFF’s weekly rankings. Expect that number to shoot up after Kolton Miller’s turnaround against the Steelers.
Andre James joins Kolton Miller as success story during Las Vegas Raiders’ outing vs Pittsburgh
Miller wasn’t the only player on Las Vegas’ O-line who struggled through five weeks. Andre James, the team’s starting center, went into Week 6 surrendering two sacks and eight pressures. With a 46.6 run-block grade, only two centers across the NFL were responsible for a lower grade than James.
However, like Miller, James was a standout performer against the Steelers during the Raiders’ 32-13 loss.
James put up a goose egg in the allowed sacks column, giving up one pressure on 44 pass-blocking snaps. Only nine centers league-wide received a better pass-block grade in Week 6 than James’ mark of 75.2.
Run-blocking remains an area of emphasis for the 27-year-old. While James earned the 10th-highest grade at his position on passing downs, he was given the seventh-worst grade among centers on running plays.
Still, James’ new-found efficiency in pass-blocking deserves its recognition. If he’s able to build on his Week 6 performance, the Raiders’ offensive line will quickly become a strength.
*Top Photo: Bobby Ellis/ Getty Images
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