The Oakland Raiders have looked much-improved five weeks into Jack Del Rio's tenure, but trouble spots remain. One of those trouble spots, the run game, was highlighted during the Raiders' loss to the Denver Broncos this past weekend. Going up against a stout Broncos front-seven, Del Rio's group managed just 65 yards on 25 carries for a putrid 2.6 yards per carry average. It marked the second week in a row that running back Latavius Murray and the Raiders blockers were held in check - Oakland's combined rushing average over the past two games is a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. So, while the rest of the Oakland team looks much improved, the run game has left much to be desired. It's no surprise then that the team plans to spend their bye week working on this particular facet of the offense.
"The run game is a team game," Del Rio said, via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. "You go up against some fronts that are a little stouter than others. I think, talking about yesterday's game, I think they did a pretty solid job of stopping the run."
Considering the Broncos are first in the NFL in team defense, allowing an average of just 278 yards per game to their opponents, there's really no shame for the Raiders in struggling to get much going on the ground or through the air against them on Sunday. Still, if Del Rio and the Raiders are going to pull themselves back into the conversation for the NFL's legitimate Super Bowl contenders, they'll have to learn to win tough, hard-fought games like this. Quarterback Derek Carr - 249 yards passing, one touchdown, one pick six - will have to play better, and the run game will have to do a better job supporting him.
Murray may be facing a shoulder injury that's limiting his overall production, but even fully healthy, he'd need better blocking up front if he's going to get his big body moving downhill between the tackles.
Against weaker teams, the Raiders may be able to get away with mediocre blocking and middling offensive output. But with a tough slate of games coming up - Chargers, Jets, Steelers, Vikings - the Raiders will need to learn how to win gritty, body-bruising games pretty quickly or this season will take a turn for the worse in a hurry.
