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Oakland Raiders: Top 5 takeaways from Week 5 victory over the Chicago Bears

By James Carroll

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball after making an interception, going on to score a touchdown which is later reversed after a review during the NFL match between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball after making an interception, going on to score a touchdown which is later reversed after a review during the NFL match between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Josh Jacobs of Oakland Raiders scores the winning touchdown during the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. Oakland Raiders (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /

3. Josh Jacobs is getting more chances and making teams pay

This next point deserves some partial credit to the previous two points.

Thanks to some evolving game-planning and an excellent showing of the offensive line, Josh Jacobs has continued demonstrating why he deserves to be a feature of the offense each and every week.

Jacobs put up 143 all-purpose yards to go along with two touchdowns on the day.

The early favorite to take home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors went up against one of the most fearsome run defenses in the game and broke off 123 yards against them. That might be the product of a good day for the line, but Jacobs can’t be ignored.

The most exciting takeaway in all of this is that the offense is leaning on him more and more each week.

It wasn’t a bold prediction to assume that Jon Gruden would make the young running back earn his stripes before getting a healthy chunk of opportunities, but we’re seeing more and more slack given to him by the coaching staff.

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Jacobs has responded by taking the opportunity and barreling forward with it — over and over again, going through any and all defenses like the unstoppable force he is.

This week, Jacobs got 26 carries and was targeted four times as a receiver — both figures being more than any previous game in his young career.

To put this in perspective, Jacobs was handed the ball 17 times last week against Indianapolis. Against the Vikings the week before, he was given the ball only ten times.

There’s more and more trust being given to the Raiders young star running back — and rightfully so. He’s deserved it.

It’s promising to see that teams have yet to be able to adjust to him as he works his way up the field over and over again.

The hope, moving forward, should be to continue developing his involvement in the receiving game. With the team continuing to search for options — especially in cases where teams might be game-planning in containing Darren Waller — another receiving option wouldn’t be a bad choice.

At the very least, it will be interesting to see how teams attempt to stop Jacobs while he gets more and more opportunities to put up big numbers like he did this week. A healthy run game opens up many offensive options.

Expect to continue seeing Jacobs’ involvement in the offense. He’s earning his stripes fast, and he won’t be looking back.

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