Raiders Leaning on Running Back Depth
The Las Vegas Raiders faced a daunting task against the Los Angeles Chargers. Not only did the Raiders sustain injuries along the offensive line in their game against the Minnesota Vikings, but running back Josh Jacobs also finished the game with an injury.
This left the Raiders having to replace the production of one of the best running backs in the National Football League on a short turnaround against a divisional opponent.
In Jacobs' absence, the Raiders would depend on their group of running backs behind Jacobs on the depth chart to help them beat the Chargers.
The Las Vegas Raiders' plan of running back by committee worked well against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Jacobs tried his best to return to action. The Raiders, however, chose to rest Jacobs and lean on the trio of Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden to carry their rushing attack against Los Angeles.
"Yeah, I was excited for those guys to get the opportunity," Interim Offensive Coordinator Bo Hardegree said. "Josh was really trying hard to get back, and I really respect that, but we'll continue to just keep putting the ball in our players' hands and give them the best opportunity to be successful."
Las Vegas rushed for more than 100 yards against the Chargers for the fourth time in Hardegree's six games as the play-caller. The Raiders did not run for 100 yards once in the first eight games of the season before Hardegree took over.
Under Hardegree, Jacobs returned near the top of the league in rushing yards this season.
The recent success of Las Vegas' rushing game has undoubtedly helped quarterback Aidan O'Connell. The rookie's two worst games since becoming the starting quarterback were in the two games Las Vegas failed to rush for more than 100 yards.
Considering he has now orchestrated games with 100 yards rushing with and without his starting running back, it is safe to say Hardegree has figured out how to get the most out of what he's given.
The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
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