The Oakland Raiders are beginning to look more and more like themselves as they defeated the New York Giants 24-17 in Week 13 of the 2017 NFL season. The Raiders, who had struggled all season to generate offense, were able to move the ball down the field and take advantage of a reeling Giants defense.
The most encouraging takeaway from the game for Oakland, however, was Marshawn Lynch. The veteran running back is rounding back into form after a year off and according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Derek Carr was impressed with his teammate’s performance:
Really, Marshawn is just taking over. Today he had 100 yards, which is awesome. Anytime you can do that, the ball is in your hands. Anytime you can run the ball efficiently, you’re moving the chain — so that just helps us in the pass-game element of it.”
Lynch was thought to be the missing piece for a dynamic Raiders offensive attack, but that was not the case earlier this season. The former Seattle Seahawk was clearly shaking off the rust that comes with a brief retirement, but the past several weeks he has begun to resemble the running back the silver and black were hoping for.
With Lynch now complementing an improving passing game, the Raiders finally look poised to make the second half run Carr predicted a few weeks ago. They get a chance to claim their spot at the top of the AFC West when they face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14.
