Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders won't make the playoffs with a running game this inconsistent

Published Dec. 1, 2015 9:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

Oakland's four worst rushing games of the season all ended up in a predictable way.

Their fifth-worst rushing day happened in Nashville last weekend. They did just enough to avoid another loss -- but not enough to impress their head coach.

"We just didn't run it as well as we think we're capable of," Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters. "We've got some things to clean up."

Del Rio's team can't get better until it returns its most crucial piece, though. Rodney Hudson is a renowned run blocker who's missed two of the team's last three games with an ankle issue.

His return could help -- but not fix -- Latavius Murray's obvious shortcomings. He's averaging more than two yards per carry less (2.4) after Week 10 than he was before Week 10. And with 13 runs of two or fewer yards, Murray isn't making defenders miss.

Del Rio can't explain the problems plaguing his rushing attack. He just knows it needs to be fixed.

"All the things you're praising when it goes well just weren't quite as good as we feel like we're capable of doing it," Del Rio said. "We've got to go back and refine that."

(h/t Silver & Black Pride)