The Raiders came away from Mexico City with a comeback victory over the Houston Texans, so there weren’t any disappointed players in silver and black this week.
At 8-2, the Raiders lead the AFC West with six games to go and are in position to lock up a playoff spot for the first time since the 2002 season.
But as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the 4-6 Carolina Panthers at O.co Coliseum, the Raiders do have concerns about their running game, which was stopped cold by Carolina Monday night. The Raiders – who had ranked in the NFL’s top five in rushing before the Texans game -- rushed for just 30 yards on 20 carries. That 1.5-yard average won’t cut it if the Raiders want to stay in the playoff hunt. The three-headed running back corps of Latavius Murray (33 yards), Jalen Richard (2) and DeAndre Washinton (zero) couldn’t find any holes vs. Houston.
Now come the Panthers, the No. 2 defense in the league against the rush. Carolina allows just 81.8 yards per game.
This week, Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said he’s impressed by the Panthers defensive front, especially defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short.
“Tough defense coming in, as we all know, tough front,” Musgrave told the Raiders website this week. “Two, good tackles. (You) can definitely see why they were 15-1 last year.”
Despite the Panthers’ ability and the Raiders’ problems running the ball against Houston, Musgrave believes Oakland can figure out a way to attack Carolina Sunday.
Raiders
“It helps us when we can put a plan together and hopefully isolate some defensive shortcomings, or maybe some matchups that are heavily in our favor,” said Musgrave. “The running backs do a nice job of executing the plan. It’s one thing to put a plan together. It’s another thing entirely for the players to go out and execute it, take it to that elite level. Very thankful for our group, our stable of running backs.”
The game also will feature last year’s NFL MVP, quarterback Cam Newton, vs. Oakland QB Derek Carr, one of the leading candidates for MVP this season.
Oddsmakers have made the Raiders 3½-point favorites for Sunday’s game, which is set to kick off at 1:25 p.m.
