RAIDERS STUMBLE; 49ERS WIN
MINNEAPOLIS — There was a lot more hurting than just the Raiders pride Sunday after their previously encouraging run defense found itself trampled by Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings.
Three of the Raiders’ four linebackers, Vontaze Burfict (elbow), Nicholas Morrow (calf) and Marquel Lee left for extended periods of time because of injuries. The Minnesota Vikings broke the Raiders’ will to such a point that they never even attempted a forward pass in the fourth quarter en route to a 211-yard rushing day.
This was a day the Raiders were looking forward to, a real test for a defense that had given up just 63 yards rushing and 2.8 yards per carry in the first two games. The Raiders knew the Vikings were a playoff caliber team, but believed they were matching their strength defending the run against the Vikings’ desire to run the ball.
Instead, Cook gained 110 yards on 16 carries before leaving in the third quarter. Alexander Mattison chipped in with 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. In all, the Vikings ran it 38 times for 211 yards and threw only 21 passes.
Next up is the Indianapolis Colts, whose top runner Marlon Mack has 299 yards rushing in three games. The Colts ran it well last year and will be even more dependent on the run this season with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback instead of Andrew Luck.
Which is why linebacker Tahir Whitehead thinks things need to change, and quickly.
“We need to start coming together even tighter, especially being on the road for the next few weeks,” Whitehead said. “We knew exactly what they were going to feature, but we’ve got to do our own job that much better. This is something you can’t just move on from. It’s a long road ahead. if we don’t get this corrected, then it’s going to be a long sea
son.”
Raiders coach Jon Gruden gave the Vikings credit for their running game and noted that losing linebackers didn’t help matters any.
“We lost a lot of linebackers and it’s tough on (defensive coordinator) Paul Guenther and they’ve got a heck of a scheme,” Gruden said. “No. 33 (Cook) is one hell of a back.”
Minnesota had 10 rushing first downs and converted 5 of 9 third downs in part because of down and distance set up by Cook and Mattison.
Cook’s toughness runs through the Minnesota offense and gives the Vikings a hardnosed personality.
“I think the offensive line is doing a really good job of getting on the right people and creating some space,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said.