Raiders to make change at running back

For the first time this season the Raiders running game got something going. After three games averaging 51 yards rushing per game, they eclipsed their entire total from the first three games in this game alone.

They did it, in part by spreading out the defense sideline to sideline, utilizing sweeps and reverses. But the funny thing was, even with the sudden success they had, it didn’t seem to improve how starting running back Zamir White played.

Take a look at these yards per carry numbers:

DJ Turner — 18 ypc (TD)

Alexander Mattison — 12 ypc

Brock Bowers — 12 ypc

Tyreik McAllister — 5.5 ypc

Tre Tucker — 3 ypc (TD)

Zamir White — 2.8 ypc (fumble)

Coming into this game, the Raiders had the worst yards per carry in the league. They were averaging 2.8 yards per carry…same as White had in this game.

The bulk of the yards gained were by Alexander Mattison. The veteran had three of the top six longest plays of the game on runs of 24, 18, and 16 yards and finished with a team-leading 60 yards on just five carries.

White’s performance remained status quo for him this season. On top of that, he fumbled the ball away that was returned for a touchdown.

Mattison’s numbers may have took a leap in this game, but mainly that’s because he just hasn’t gotten a lot of touches. He got 12 carries combined in the first three games and 19 total touches. Despite his low touches (24), he leads the team in touchdowns (three) and has just one fewer yard from scrimmage than White who has 30 more touches (54).

Monday, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged Mattison’s performance and said a change is coming.

“He’s deserved more reps,” Pierce said of Mattison. “And he’ll get them.”

Pierce said the same of guard Jackson Powers-Johnson last week and then Powers-Johnson started Sunday’s game and played every snap.