Just when it appeared that the Oakland Raiders had finally discovered a ground attack, breakout running back Latavius Murray was forced from Thursday night's game with a concussion. The Raiders went on to win, largely due to Murray's first-half performance.
Prior to taking a hit from Kurt Coleman on a second-quarter kickoff return, Murray rushed four times for 112 yards and the first two rushing touchdowns allowed by the Kansas City Chiefs this season.
He's the only back in NFL history with more than 100 yards and two scores on fewer than six carries.
Murray showed better footwork, vision and speed than any Raiders back has for two years.
He had more yards on one run (90) than Maurice Jones-Drew has managed (69) on 36 carries this season. His 112 yards were more than starter Darren McFadden has rushed for in any game since Week 2 of the 2013 season.
The performance was impressive enough to lead to a bigger role in a rushing attack that was on pace to finish as the least effective since the 1946 Detroit Lions. If Murray gains clearance in time for next week's game at St. Louis, he should unseat McFadden as the primary runner in Oakland.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews Chiefs-Raiders and reacts to the drama in D.C. as well as Adrian Peterson's suspension. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
