Oakland Raiders: Keys To Victory Over Baltimore Ravens

5 of 9

September 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) receives the hand off from quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Get the Running Game On Track

The Raiders’ offensive success is going to rely on a number of different factors – among them, getting the running game going. Last week against the Bengals, we saw yet another effort that harkened back to last year’s squad. Of course, the fact that they were in such a big hole so fast and had to abandon the run game to throw it all over the field in the hopes of mounting a comeback didn’t help matters any.

The running game never got into any sort of rhythm. Latavius Murray had 44 yards on 11 carries for a respectable 4.0 yards per carry average. But they weren’t able to feed him the ball very much simply because they had to try and throw their way out of a big deficit yet again.

Live Feed

6 upcoming free agents the Bills should let walk in 2024 /

BuffaLowDown

Jets vs. Bills best anytime touchdown scorer picks (Target Dalton Kincaid) BuffaLowDown

Buffalo Bills: 3 reasons why run game is the x-factor vs. Denver Broncos BuffaLowDown

Bills call players-only meeting with title window at risk of passing them by FanSided

Buffalo Bills reportedly signing running back Leonard Fournette BuffaLowDown

Buffalo Bills: 3 ways the offense can bounce back after 2 sluggish weeks BuffaLowDown

To beat the Ravens, Murray is going to have to carry the ball 20-25 times – and get good results doing it. Letting Murray pound on that defensive front, and possible throwing some carries to speedster Taiwan Jones just to mix things up and keep that defense on its heels will yield benefits for the offense as a whole.

If the Raiders can establish their running game – something they’ve been emphasizing all offseason long, it’s going to open up the passing game for Carr and his stable of receivers.

That begins of course, with the men in the trenches. The Raiders’ offensive line must dominate the line of scrimmage. They have to blow open holes for the Oakland backs and then form an impenetrable wall of humanity to protect Carr on passing plays. The offensive line didn’t perform particularly well against Cincinnati and they need to come out with a fire in their bellies for this talented Ravens defensive front.

The Raiders can’t afford another 63 yard effort on the ground against the Ravens. They must be able to run the football for this offense to thrive.

Next: Be Up In His Grill

Home/Derek Carr