Raiders vs Chargers: Offensive Grades for 2021 Week 18

Raiders vs Chargers: Offensive Grades for 2021 Week 18

Running Backs

Reminding us why he was selected in the first round a few years ago, Josh Jacobs ran hard and had the best showing of his 2021-22 season. Jacobs finished the day with 132 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown on a 5.1 average.

The line was not creating many openings, but Jacobs was able to make his own and make guys miss. This is evident by the 11 forced missed tackles credited to him in the contest, which is a pretty crazy number for a single game.

The Raiders could have just kneeled and finished the game in OT with a tie, which would have brought both teams into the playoffs. Jacobs had other plans, however, breaking off for a 10-yard gain late on 3rd down which put the offense into field goal range with the clock winding down, punishing the division rival and eliminating them from contention.

Jacobs started off the season slowly, with the o-line being in shambles and the poor play from them, as a result, having a good deal to do with it, but he has come on stronger over the last quarter of the season finishing twice with over 125 yards.

I should also mention Jalen Richard who only ran the ball twice but for 24 yards, and also Marcus Mariota, who despite being a quarterback comes into the game to run the ball. He carried the ball 4 times for 23 yards.

Richard made a momentum-changing play which has to be highlighted, with a 23 yard run on 3rd and 23 late in the first half which allowed the Raiders to score before going into the locker room, putting them up 17-14.

Grade: A