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Can we stop their rushing attack without stacking the line? And should we still try to run against this Run D or take advantage of their weak pass D?
The Raiders do two things very well: run the ball and stop the run. Behind rookie sensation running back Josh Jacobs, the Oakland offense is averaging 4.79 yards per carry this season, the eighth-best mark in the league. Jacobs is actually averaging 4.89 yards per carry himself in 2019, which is sixth among RBs with at least 100 carries. He also has 37 rushes for first downs this season, which is tied for fifth among RBs with at least 100 carries.
“This guy can run, he can catch it and he has a nose for the end zone,” Lynn said of Jacobs. “He’s a dynamic player.”
The Chargers’ run defense had one of its better performances of the season Sunday against the Packers, and could be getting some reinforcements by way of starting nose tackle Brandon Mebane, who’s missed the last three games with a knee injury and is questionable for Thursday night. But they’ll still be without starting three-technique Justin Jones, who will sit out his fourth game in a row because of a shoulder injury.
The Raiders’ run defense, meanwhile, is only allowing 3.76 yards per attempt this season, the fifth-best mark in the league. They have huge bodies up front with rookie defensive end Clelin Ferrell (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (6-3, 340 pounds). The Chargers should have a tough time running the ball effectively and stopping the run. Those, to me, are the keys in this game.
— Jon Gruden finally seems to be unlocking quarterback Derek Carr, who is putting together the most efficient year of his career. Carr leads qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage (71.2) and is averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, the highest of his career. Our Ted Nguyen did an awesome film breakdown of the Raiders’ offense and what’s working with the Gruden-Carr connection this season, which you can check out here.
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