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Oakland Raiders: X-Factors who could impact Sunday’s game

By Patrick Fouhy

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Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) breaks the tackles of Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Raiders won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Marcel Reece

The Raiders running game will be the deciding factor of this game. If they can control the clock and take advantage of the Chargers’ weak interior on their defensive line they can limit the amount of time Philip Rivers has to rack up yards against the defense.

It’s not a new or revolutionary strategy. In fact it’s quite common, and one the Raiders have been trying to get consistent all season. When the run game works, the Raiders win, it’s that simple.

Marcel Reece is a high-profile player to Raiders fans, and more avid NFL fans have heard his name, he has the utmost respect of his peers in the league, but he still ends up being a player under most people’s radar because of his position and the lack of opportunity he was give the past few years.

The beauty if Reece is how versatile he is. He’s not a Fullback, he’s not an H-back, he’s not a Tight End, or a Wide Receiver; he’s simply an offense weapon that will excel at any position he is asked to play. Using Reece more in the run game will keep Murray fresh later in the third quarter and into the fourth where clock management is so important.

Also, Reece has a skill set that matches up against the Chargers better. He can get the tough yards up the middle, which should be able to chew up 3 or 4 yards a carry up the middle consistently against this defensive interior.

In the passing game, Reece is like having a second more experienced Clive Walford on the team. With Cooper, Crabtree, Walford and Reece in the game, the Raiders can pose a threat at every level of the field, and Reece is the key to that puzzle being so successful.

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