Must get the running game going ASAP
The running game is a critical part of Carroll’s winning blueprint, as he wants to control the game and dictate the action through a ground-and-pound approach that sets the table for an explosive play-action passing game.
Despite their best efforts, the rushing attack has been a major disappointment, with the Raiders averaging 112.6 rush yards per game. The NFL’s 20th-ranked rush offense has yet to impose its will on opponents for 60 minutes, with Ashton Jeanty and Co. taking a sledgehammer to the defense. While injuries to the offensive line and a natural acclimation period to the NFL have limited the rookie to 69.8 rush yards per game, the Raiders’ RB1 has shown flashes of “take over the game” traits with a 21-carry, 138-yard effort against the Chicago Bears that showcased his talents as a workhorse runner.
Although the encore in Week 5 did not feature another 100-yard game, the rookie amassed 109 scrimmage yards on 19 touches (14 rushes and five catches) in a disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts. As offensive coordinator Chip Kelly starts to understand how to unlock Jeanty’s superpowers, while setting up a complementary play-action passing game that mirrors a dynamic rushing attack, the Raiders can get back on track as the ground-and-pound outfit that Carroll envisions.
It might require more time and patience for the plan to come together, but a dominant running game will pave the way for the Raiders to have sustained success utilizing a blueprint that has worked well for Carroll at every stop.