Oakland Raiders Game Plan: Week 4 (Chicago Bears)

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns cornerback Pierre Desir (26) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Start with the run

I believe starting with the run should be the game plan for every football game you play in. That is especially the case when you have a running back like Latavius Murray in your backfield. And I’m not just saying this to recite the old cliché, “Run the ball to set up the pass.” either.

The Bears have a nice, rowdy crowd just like the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns do at home. Effectively running works like a charm to quiet the crowd as you go on the long, methodical, time-consuming drives. Controlling the ball and clock gives Cutler and Jeffery less time to shake off the rust from being out for the last week.

As New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick says, “The crowd will be as loud as we let them be.” If the Raiders don’t allow the crowd to get fired up, there will be nothing for the Bears to feed off. If the Raiders running game succeeds in the beginning, it will take their hearts out and they start to think, “Here we go again, another loss.

Next: The deep ball