Can Raiders' struggling run game break out vs. Rams?

HENDERSON, Nev. — So far, the Las Vegas Raiders’ run game has been more like a casual stroll. And it may not get up to speed anytime soon.

With rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at Allegiant Stadium, the brunt of the task falls on the shoulders and frame of second-year back Ashton Jeanty. Washington is nursing both foot and back ailments and did not practice Thursday or Friday at the Intermountain Health Performance Center.

The Raiders rank 30th in the NFL in net rushing, averaging just 79.2 yards per game. They’re averaging only 3.0 yards per carry. Only Dallas and Green Bay are ranked lower.

Jeanty leads Las Vegas in rushing with 313 yards in 98 attempts for an average of 3.2 yards per carry. Washington has averaged just under five yards in 34 carries.

For Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he is trying to avoid getting frustrated at his lack of progress.

“God’s got a plan for me with the game of football,” Jeanty said Friday. “You gotta stay patient. You gotta put the work in. And hopefully you get the results.”

Head coach Klint Kubiak has accepted a lot of the blame for the Raiders’ lack of success on the ground. He admits he needs to do a better job in calling plays and developing some sort of continuity and momentum when out comes to running the ball.
 
At the same time, it’s up to the players to execute at a higher level than they have. The linemen have to block more effectively, quarterback Kirk Cousins needs to be sharper in his execution and whoever gets the ball, be it Jeanty, Washington or Dylan Laube, the third-string back, needs to get through what holes and creases are created for them and deliver.

“Yeah, I think the common theme is myself,” Kubiak said. “We got to be better as coaches at getting our guys in the best situation, and just keep improving. And that starts on the practice field.
“So, this time of year, when guys start getting a little bit dinged up, some of the reps go down a little bit, so just being really intentional about what reps you give them versus what fronts, so we can give them a good picture of what to expect in the game.”

Yes, the score and situations do dictate whether or not you run or pass. But look at the Raiders’ opening drive of the second half last week vs. Buffalo. In a game that was tied 13-13 going into the third quarter, Kubiak opted for three consecutive pass plays, all of which fell incomplete. The Raiders punted, the Bills scored on their first possession via a field goal and it became a chase on the scoreboard with Las Vegas looking to play catch-up.

Would the Raiders have fared better had they run the ball to start the second half? Perhaps. But we’ll never know. But momentum is a big part of the game and when you lose it, it’s hard to get it back.

Jeanty, who scored his first rushing touchdown of the season in the first quarter, had only 22 yards in 10 carries in the 33-30 loss to the Bills. He also had four receptions for 36 yards as Kubiak did look to get him more involved in the offense. But he needs to be more productive carrying the ball. A 2.2 average isn’t going to cut it.

“I think it’s been a good week of practice,” Jeanty said. “Now we want to carry that into the game and see how it goes.

“I’m getting more reps and getting more confidence to go out there and perform on Sunday. I’ve got to get up into the second level and make them miss.”

The Rams are 26th in the NFL against the run, allowing an average of 127 yards per game. Perhaps this is the week the Raiders’ running game finally gets untracked. Overall, the Rams rank No. 3 in the league in defense, allowing 294 yards, trailing only Seattle (237.3) and Minnesota (259.8). But Los Angeles is 2-4 and as much as Sunday feels like a must-win for the 3-3 Raiders in their attempt to end their three-game losing streak after their successful 3-0 start, it may be more pivotal for the Rams, who are in danger of missing the playoffs even though it’s only Week 7.

“We just got to go do it,” Kubiak said about getting the Raiders going on the ground. “Got to quit talking about it, and we got to go do it.”