
Latavius Murray’s first Sunday afternoon stroll was a long one.
The third-year Raiders running back broke right from the handoff, with Mychal Rivera sealing a lane, Austin Howard leading the way and Michael Crabtree deterring opposition downfield.
Murray’s teammates gave him space, but he had to use it well. No. 28 stayed patient for a beat, then found top gear heading down the sideline. Full speed didn’t prevent a juke or two as he stayed upright, drove for extra mileage and stepped out of bounds with a 26-yard gain.
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Not a bad start against the NFL’s best run defense. Production rarely waned during a 34-20 victory over the New York Jets, which Murray completed with 113 yards on 20 carries.
“It starts with the offensive line putting hats on people up front and getting me to the second level,” Murray said. “It continues with me trusting those guys and hitting it hard and running aggressive.
“…I think we made a statement about what we want to be and how we want to run the ball. We did that against a good run defense, and that says a lot about who we are and what we’re capable of.”
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That has paid dividends for a rushing attack inconsistent in the early going. The Raiders had issues keeping production steady, especially with Murray battling shoulder issues before a Week 5 bye. Murray mixed slashing speed and power into a dominant performance that was part of a recent trend. Murray has been tough to stop these last two weeks, averaging 5.65 yards per carry in consecutive victories over the Chargers and Jets.
He’ll need to do so again next week at the Pittsburgh Steelers, with an eighth-ranked run defense that allows 97 yards per game.
Another big day would help hold the Steelers at bay, but Murray won’t go it alone. As always, he’ll have escorts.
The offensive line has greatly improved its run blocking, especially with run fits and combination blocks that are perfected by doing. Tackle Donald Penn and guard Gabe Jackson have been steady. Center Rodney Hudson is proving elite. J’Marcus Webb and Howard are improving each week on the right side, making the run game tough to predict.
Del Rio has also praised blocking efforts from receivers in recent weeks, who work hard to turn average plays into big ones.
“I think what we try to do is instill confidence in the group that the combination blocks that we work so hard on, that they will improve over time, that we understand the timing of it, understand the different looks we’re going to see,” Del Rio said. “That was a very talented front that we went against and they really believed in their technique and stayed with it and stayed with each other and executed well. The timing of some of those blocks and the physicality of the play was really good.”
Murray is a slasher and, while he runs upright at times, can dole out punishment with his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame. Power becomes a weapon when the blocking’s good and every step doesn’t involve making people miss. Against the Jets, Murray was the aggressor.
“I didn’t hesitate,” Murray said. “I wanted to get behind my shoulder pads, make one cut and run downhill. That’s something I’m able to do and something I need to continue to work at, so I can dish out hits instead of taking them.”