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The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to run the football consistently this season. Entering Week 7, they currently rank 30th in rushing. The ground attack is averaging just 79.2 yards per contest. That's hardly better than the 32nd ranked ground-game they fielded last season (77.5/game).
The Raiders' three rushing touchdowns are tied for third-fewest in the NFL. Ashton Jeanty rushed for his first touchdown in Week 6. He hasn't averaged above a league benchmark of 4.0 yards per carry since Week 1. In four of five games since, Jeanty has actually been limited to 2.9 yards per carry or fewer.
There's one analytical stat going around social media that partially explains the Raiders' run-game struggles. Approximately 52.1% of the offense's rushing attempts have been hit at or behind the line of scrimmage, per former NFL Director of Analytics Ryan Paganetti. That's tied for the fourth-worst mark in the entire league.
That stat undeniably places some of the run-game failures on the Raiders' offensive line. They have struggled to consistently generate rushing lanes in recent weeks. No Raiders starter has a better run-blocking grade (PFF) than DJ Glaze's 63.6. That indicates the entire unit has been mediocre at best.
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has been the most efficient ball carrier. The former Arkansas standout is averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. Washington has gained 168 yards via 34 carries, and he's matched Jeanty's one rushing score.
The Raiders will attempt to find some run-game success versus the Los Angeles Rams' 26th-ranked run defense in Week 7.