The most hot-button topic surrounding the Oakland Raiders over the past five weeks or so has been the play calling of offensive coordinator Todd Downing.

Many fans believe that Downing is holding the offense back from its full potential, while also not allowing the stars to play the style of football that worked so well in 2016. One person who seems to completely believe in that is ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who called the promotion of Todd Downing a mistake, according to RaidersBeat.com.

“I think [the offense is] poorly constructed,’ Riddick said Monday on ESPN’s NFL Live. “I think they made a mistake as far as their offensive coordinator hire and I think it’s having a trickle-down effect on Derek himself, on Amari Cooper, on Michael Crabtree, on Jared Cook, on all of them.”

That's a pretty big comment, but it's also one that many fans in Raider Nation probably believe currently.

There's no question that all of those names Riddick listed, from Carr to Cooper, Crabtree, and Cook, are impressive talents. Yet, they can't seem to get the ball rolling.

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The Raiders offense which ranked No. 7 in the NFL in points per game last season (26 points), is averaging just 21.1 points this season (No. 19) with a disappointing 229.8 passing yards per game. Something has to give, and while it may be too early for an offensive coordinator change after a 3-5 start, the play calling at the very least must improve.