Oakland Raiders: Ravens Gameplan

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Run the Ball

The Raiders should have an easier time running the football against the Ravens than the Denver Broncos did. The Broncos averaged 2.8 yards per carry last Sunday but they’re not very good running the ball. On Thursday night, the Broncos had the same average the Kansas City Chiefs and you know what Latavius Murray did to them last year.

Plus Suggs, the best linebacker in the NFL against the run according to Pro Football Focus, is out for the season. He has been replaced by Jason Babin, who’s fresh of the street and one of the worst against the run according to Pro Football Focus. So it is obvious  to get the running game going, the Raiders need to relentlessly run right at Babin.

Of course, the Raiders can’t get down by 17 early in the game but the Raiders must attack Babin. Also, the Broncos even started to run the ball pretty well in the fourth quarter so the Raiders, with their bigger and more physical offensive line, must stay with the run. From what I saw of Latavius Murray’s 11 carries for 44 yards, he looks ready for that breakout everyone is looking for.

He’s a much more physical runner this year and looks like he can really be that guy. He can wear down the Ravens defense with enough carries, resting his defense that was overworked last Sunday. That defense could then keep the game close plus it will open up other things for the Raiders offense. If the Raiders want to have a chance, they will need to run the ball successfully and often against the Ravens.

Next: The Deep Ball