After getting away from the run game these past few weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders began to reestablish it on Thursday Night Football.
Jon Gruden’s lack of focus on the running game was becoming an issue, but against the Chargers, it was back. We all know it’s difficult to stick to pounding the ball when you’re behind, something the Raiders have been doing. Plus, you have to throw it in hopes of constantly putting points up when your defense is unreliable. Playcalling aside, the Raiders’ offensive line has been plagued by injuries all year long. However, the Silver and Black have welcomed back Trent Brown, which is huge in these final games.
As far as Thursday night, Raider Nation must have been ecstatic to see Jacobs break off runs again. Let’s take a closer look at what Las Vegas produced on the ground this week.
Related: Las Vegas QB Marcus Mariota can’t close the deal in 30-27 overtime loss
Raiders saw a resurgent running game on Thursday…
The leading rusher for the Raiders was actually not Jacobs, but rather, quarterback Marcus Mariota. That’s right, you heard right, the former Tennesee Titan came in lieu of Derek Carr who went down with a groin injury and broke off the longest run of the night for Raiders, a 26-yard scramble. We all know this is Carr’s team but make no mistake, it was refreshing to see the Oregon standout run around and make things happen as well.
Jacobs finished the night with 78 yards on the ground, though he only averaged 2.9 yards a carry. As a side note, both Mariota and Jacobs scored rushing touchdowns, one apiece. For all the heat that the Raiders defense has gotten, it was interesting to see that the Chargers couldn’t get their run game going. Anthony Lynn’s ‘Bolts’ could only muster 96 yards on the ground on Thursday night. Despite run game improvements and stopping the Chargers, the Raiders dropped a last-second OT loss.
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*Top Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images