Oakland Raiders: Midseason Report Card For The Offense

Running Back

After letting Latavius Murray walk away over the offseason, the Raiders lured Marshawn Lynch out of retirement and got him into a Silver and Black jersey. Unfortunately, Lynch has provided more buzz and excitement than actual substance on the field – though, it’s not entirely his fault.

Behind the three-headed beast of Murray, Jalen Richard, and DeAndre Washington, Oakland had the sixth-ranked running game in the league last season. Behind Lynch, Richard, and Washington this year, Oakland’s ground game has slipped.

Perhaps, plummeted might actually be the better word choice.

After eight games this season, the Raiders are sporting the leagues twenty-sixth ranked rushing attack, averaging a far less than robust 88 yards per game.

Part of the problem is up front. With Downing switching to a zone blocking scheme and moving away from the power blocking scheme favored by Musgrave, Oakland’s line, so dominant last season, has looked ordinary.

They’re not blowing people off the ball and they’re not opening lanes for the backs to get through. And the detrimental impact on the running game – and the offense as a whole – can’t possibly be overstated. Couple that with the fact that the Raiders rank dead last – thirty-second out of thirty-two teams – in rushing attempts, and that all adds up to a running game that’s stinking up the joint.

Oakland is averaging 4.2 yards per carry – down slightly from last season’s average of 4.4 yards per carry. The biggest difference is in the lack of rushing attempts – as well as the backs not being able to get to open space to make plays.

The lack of a legitimate running game is hampering the passing game as the defense doesn’t have to commit more men to the box to stop it. Defenses can simply sit back and wait for the pass. It also renders any attempt at play-action passing moot – which also tends to hamper the passing game.

Though it’s not all entirely their fault – and much of the blame falls on the shoulders of the OC – Oakland’s running backs aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities they do get.

For this offense to thrive, the running game is going to have to take it up a few levels.

GRADE: C