Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Chargers

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 and running back Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate after a play against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 and running back Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate after a play against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 08: Jalen Richard No. 30 of the Oakland Raiders rushes against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 08: Jalen Richard No. 30 of the Oakland Raiders rushes against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Have confidence in running the football

Oakland is better at running the football that we think. The Raiders have rushed for over 100 yards in a game three times this season. Outside of the rough games against the Redskins and the Broncos, the Raiders have shown that they can get yards from their backfield consistently.

Sunday could be a huge opportunity for the Raiders, as the Chargers have the worst run defense in football. A lot of this has to do with the team being on the losing end of a lot of games so far. Teams will pound the rock to chew up some clock late in games on the Chargers.

Oakland may not have a superstar at running back, but Marshawn Lynch, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington could combine to rush for well over 100 yards on Sunday en route to a huge Week 6 victory over the Chargers.

Add in that the Raiders’ passing game hasn’t been as strong as it was last year and the running game could be even more important on Sunday. Pounding the rock could very well be the recipe for offensive success on Sunday for the Raiders. Let’s stay committed to it and see how it ultimately shakes out. It could be a big day for the Raiders’ running backs.

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