At 3-2, the Oakland Raiders have bounced back from their disappointing start and now find themselves in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
The Raiders have won their last two games thanks to their ground attack as they have leaned on rookie running back Josh Jacobs and his ability to carry the ball and wear down defenses.
According to Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area, head coach Jon Gruden claims his offensive line has done a good job of giving Jacobs opportunities to run and that they deserve more credit:
“They like it. It’s fun to block for a guy like Jacobs,” Gruden said. “Their hard work and their effort is rewarded every time we hand this kid the ball. They’re gaining confidence. I think we’re all seeing that this offense line is pretty good. Hopefully they start getting the credit that they deserve.”
Free-agent acquisition Trent Brown, who has been as good as advertised this season, explained how important it is to make sure that Oakland runs the ball effectively:
“That’s just our identity,” right tackle Trent Brown said. “We are going to run the ball. It doesn’t matter who we play. We are going to assert ourselves and play our game.”
Antonio Brown’s sudden departure prior to the beginning of the season threw the Raiders for a loop as it was presumed that he would be the centerpiece of Gruden’s offensive scheme, but the team has rebounded in a big way thanks to a boost from the offensive line. Players like Brown and fellow first-year Raider Richie Incognito have played excellently and given the Silver and Black one of the best lines in football.
Of course, Jacobs has also shown enough flashes to prove that he was indeed worth selecting in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Alabama product has consistently been able to break tackles, churn for extra yardage after first contact and catch passes out of the backfield.
Derek Carr was asked to do too much last year behind a line that routinely allowed pressure in the pocket, but now he has the luxury of controlling the tempo and pace of the game by handing off to Jacobs and the rest of the running backs on the roster. With a clear-cut identity established, the Silver and Black could end up being a surprise team down the stretch especially if the offensive line continues its stellar play.
