Oakland Raiders: Keys to beating the Miami Dolphins in week three matchup
By Kevin Saito
Mix In More Play Action
And of course, one of the big benefits of establishing a solid running game early, is that it softens up the defense and makes the more vulnerable to the play action pass.
With the secondary needing to respect the threat of a good run game, it could give Oakland’s receivers that brief moment they need to create a little separation, and get open down the field.
Also Read. The Good, Bad, And Ugly, From Week Two Loss To Denver. light
It’s something we didn’t see the Raiders do much of against the Rams. Mostly because the Raiders never established a solid running game, posting a pedestrian 95 total rushing yards. And then following that up with an even more pedestrian 92 total rushing yards against the Broncos.
To be perfectly fair though, the Rams and the Broncos will probably end the season being among the very best in run defense. Teams are going to struggle to move the ball on the ground against them all season long, so it’s somewhat understandable.
And yet, despite that difficulty establishing the run game, Oakland came out against Denver and ran more play action – and had some success with it. Carr finished the game 29/32 for 281 yards, and a touchdown, and took a lot more deep shots than he did against LA in the opener.
Play action passing is a valuable weapon in any coach’s arsenal. It can really keep a defense on its heels, and give the offensive playmakers just enough time to create some separation, and make a big play on the ball.
It would seem to behoove Gruden and Carr to try more play action, and take more deep shots, given that Miami’s pass defense ranks near the bottom of the league – twenty-fourth, if you’re scoring at home.
It’s a weakness the Raiders must exploit, and dialing up more play action passing could help them do just that.