With Carr out, Raiders expected to rely on potent run game

ALAMEDA (AP) — When the Oakland Raiders played the Denver Broncos the first time this season, they relied heavily on the run.

They posted their most carries, most yards and most touchdowns on the ground in the past three years.

The formula that delivered the 30-20 victory in November will probably be a similar formula that Oakland uses in the rematch in Denver this week, especially with backup Matt McGloin taking the snaps from center in place of injured starting quarterback Derek Carr.

“I think everyone is taking a little bit more on their shoulders because they understand Derek went down,” running back DeAndre Washington said.

“He was a vital leader to this team, an MVP to this team. Whenever someone like that goes down everyone else has to step up.”

The running game has played a big role in Oakland’s success this season, especially in recent weeks when Carr was not quite as effective throwing the ball with an injured pinkie.

Now with Carr out indefinitely with a broken leg, it will be even more crucial so Oakland can relieve pressure on McGloin, who has thrown just 55 passes the past three seasons.

Led by Latavius Murray, Washington and Jalen Richard, the Raiders rank fifth in the league in rushing at 124.3 yards per game and have been even more potent of late with 157.3 yards per game over the past four games.

“We know we need to run the football for this offense to move the ball, to move the chains,” Murray said.

“We’re going to continue to do that. Obviously, we feel in the running back room that if we could be the spark for this offense, the sky’s the limit when you’ve got guys loading the box and then we can throw it on the outside.

“We want the ball in our hands and we want to take responsibility now more than ever obviously. So we’re up for the challenge.”