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NFL Oakland Raiders

5 Keys For Oakland Raiders vs. St. Louis Rams

By @Kevin_Saito

5 Keys For Oakland Raiders vs. St. Louis Rams

Open Slide
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders finally got that 16-game monkey off their collective backs last week against the Chiefs. They're now taking those good feelings into St. Louis to try and put together back-to-back wins for the first time in what seems like a generation. They'll have their hands full as the Rams aren't nearly as bad as their 4-7 record might indicate, and they can be a dangerous team -- just ask Denver. Here are five keys to a Raiders victory.

5. Pound the Football

Pound the Ball
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5. Pound the Football

Pound the Ball
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland must run the football. Though they will be without Latavius Murray, who gave the offense some life with a brief but monster performance against the Chiefs, the Raiders must find a way to get their running game in gear. It's up to OC Greg Olson to play to McFadden and MJD's strengths and establish the run. It will keep the Rams from loading up against the pass and allow QB Derek Carr to be more efficient.

4. Get to Shaun Hill

Get to Hill
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Get to Shaun Hill

Get to Hill
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The defense has been getting better at putting sustained pressure on opposing QBs. They've pressured the likes of Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Alex Smith into plenty of mistakes. DC Jason Tarver will need to dial up even more of that against a Rams squad that has given up just 22 sacks on the season. They need to put the pressure on Hill early, force him into some mistakes and then capitalize on them.

3. Protect Derek Carr

Protect Carr
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Protect Derek Carr

Protect Carr
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line has taken some knocks this season, but they've done an excellent job of protecting their rookie QB, yielding just 12 sacks on the year – the fewest in the NFL. With the Rams getting DE Chris Long back this week, the Raiders' offensive line will need to be on their toes. The line must give Carr the time to operate in the pocket and move the Raiders' offense down the field.

2. Protect the Football

Protect the Ball
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

2. Protect the Football

Protect the Ball
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to the turnover differential, the Raiders rank dead last in the league. Having just eight takeaways to their credit against 21 giveaways, Oakland hasn't done a great job of protecting the ball. If they hope to win the game, they must do a better job of forcing turnovers as well as protecting the ball when they have it.

1. Be Efficient on Both Sides of the Ball

Be Efficient
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

1. Be Efficient on Both Sides of the Ball

Be Efficient
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Simply put, the Raiders have to be more productive on offense and find ways to get the defense off the field quickly. Part of this is making plays and part of this is that the coaching staff must call a better game. Oakland has looked disjointed and out of sync for most of this season, so having gotten their first win in perhaps their most cohesive game of the year may be start of better days and better team performances.

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