Getty Oakland Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch.
The Oakland Raiders need an ejection of life after a brutal start to the NFL season. And through nearly the first three quarters of Week 3, it seemed as though they had it thanks in part to running back Marshawn Lynch.
After a hot start to the game, Lynch’s mom took to Twitter to send some love and advice to the team. Her message was simple – keep running the ball with Beast Mode.
After going up 17-7 during the third quarter on a Lynch one-yard rushing touchdown, things came apart at the seams. The Miami Dolphins reeled off three straight passing touchdowns, two of which came from 50-plus yards out.
Marshawn Lynch’s Modest Stat Line
Lynch wrapped the game up with 19 carries for 64 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and the one touchdown. For good measure, backup running back Doug Martini had nine attempts for 43 yards so Beast Mode’s mother may have been onto something with her plan.
After a first half in which Lynch totaled ten carries for 33 yards, he only managed nine for 31 in the second half. Overall, Beast Mode looked like he was running strong throughout, but there simply wasn’t much space.
Although the numbers weren’t gaudy, there’s no question Gruden and the Raiders needed to burn some clock and hold their second-half lead. Early on in the third quarter, following Lynch’s touchdown, the Raiders held a 17-7 lead but were outscored 21-3 from there.
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