The Raiders’ rushing attack had a disappointing game last week against the Jets, and though New York has the best run defense in the NFL, coach Jon Gruden and his offense are still smarting.
The group prides itself on running the ball, most notably with star rookie running back, Josh Jacobs, when the entire stadium knows what’s coming, let alone the defense. Gruden acknowledged the Raiders’ poor ground game in New York during his Wednesday press conference and said his team doesn’t take the lackluster performance lightly.
“I think we all take that personal. It’s a hard thing to do in this league, which is run the ball the way we run it. We’re not running options and scrambling for yards. We’re handing it to a back, and we’re doing it in some predictable situations. We just got to keep working. I love our line, and we’re going to need them to play great for sure on Sunday.”
This is an ideal week to get the ground game rolling again. Oakland’s opponent, the AFC West-leading Chiefs, have allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL. A punishing game from the offensive line and Jacobs is precisely what the Raiders need if they’re to draw Kansas City, who relies on their potent passing attack, into a tough, physical game the Raiders take pride in.
Regardless of the opponent, however, the Raiders feel like they can run the ball on anyone, according to offensive coordinator, Greg Olson.
“All the respect in the world to the teams that we played, but we kind of like to look at us and let’s just focus on us, look at what we’re doing and we think there’s some things that we can do better and we’ll continue to work on,” said Olson, addressing the team’s struggles in the run game of late during his Thursday press conference.
The coaching staff still knows if they’re to slow the Chiefs and escape a frigid Arrowhead Stadium with a win, the run game must play a starring role as it has for most of the season, leading the Raiders to a 6-5 record and an opportunity to tie Kansas City for first place in the AFC West.
Besides, Gruden and his staff built a physical identity for this football team, and this type of game is the reason why. When Oakland lines up in an obvious run formation against the Chiefs, at least early on, expect a run play. For the Raiders and their new persona, it’s personal.