Oakland Raiders: Keys To Victory Over New York Jets

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Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Oakland won 37-29.Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Do The Impossible Part II

Nobody has been able to run on the Jets this year. The league’s top ranked rush defense is giving up a tick under 72 yards per game. There isn’t going to be a lot of room to run, that is for sure. But the Raiders have to find a way to establish some sort of presence on the ground.

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That means that the offensive line is going to have its stiffest test yet this season – finding ways to open up holes in that New York defensive front to allow Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones room to get through.

The last thing the Raiders want to do is become too one dimensional and throw on every down. It worked for New England last week as the Patriots attempted just nine rushes – and Tom Brady had four of those on his own – but the Raiders are not the Patriots. Abandoning the run entirely would be unwise and would allow the Jets to sit back squat on Oakland’s receivers. Having the option of running – and being effective at it – will open up the playbook a bit more for Oakland and force the Jets to play both facets of Oakland’s attack rather than sit back on just the one.

That being said, expect that Raider attack to be a little more pass heavy then usual. And so long as Carr and his receivers are smart and efficient, they should be able to move the ball. But they would be greatly helped by a running game that was chipping in. It’s a tall order against such a stout front, but the Raiders’ offensive line has been a strength this season. They just need to find some cracks in that wall of humanity and exploit them.

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