Oakland Raiders Film Room: Week 6 (SD)
By Evan Ball
The run game was supposed to be a strength of this team coming into the season but through the first four games it looked more like a sputtering flaw. Against San Diego it looked like a well-oiled machine, especially when it came to power runs (non-play side guard pulls to the play side and lead blocks for the running back).
Credit: NFL Game Rewind
On this 2nd and 10 play in the second quarter Oakland uses 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) and runs an power run concept to their left side against San Diego’s nickel sub package (4 DLs, 2 LBs, 5 DBs) in another disguised Cover 3 (three DBs split deep field zone into thirds). C Stefan Wisniewski makes a great down block on to give pulling guard Austin Howard a lane to wrap around for the block on San Diego LB Donald Butler. T Donald Penn makes an excellent block as well and even TE Mychal Rivera holds his block long enough for RB Maurice Jones-Drew to blast through the hole. Jones-Drew hustles through the hold and makes a solid gain before getting blasted, setting up a nice 3rd and short.
Credit: NFL Game Rewind
In the fourth quarter Oakland goes back to the power run for this 2nd and 5 play. Oakland motions into a Tank look with 22 personnel (2 RB, 2TE, 1 WR). San Diego lines up in their base 3-4 defense (3 DLs, 4 LBs, 4 DBs) and brings FS Eric Weddle into the box for run support. With FB Jamize Olawale in the game the blocking assignments changed a bit. Pulling guard Gabe Jackson runs across the formation to pick up the edge rusher while Olawale is first into the hole to pick up the Mike backer (strong side middle linebacker). San Diego LB Donald Butler takes himself out of the play as he chases Gabe Jackson (hence the blocking assignment change) and the rest of the Oakland line holds their blocks, allowing RB Darren McFadden to blast through the middle for the first down.