Raiders beat: Sticking with run pays dividends

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It has been strange this season how often the Raiders have given up on running the football, considering how much interim head coach Tony Sparano and offensive coordinator Greg Olson say they want to run the ball.

On Sunday, the two were giving each other pep talks even as their offense came out of the starting gate and did a face-plant. Oakland had three straight three-and-outs, gaining 11 yards on nine plays. Latavius Murray had 4 yards on his first seven carries.

“Greg did a good job,” Sparano said. “I just said to him, 'Stay the course. We’re going to be OK here.’ These looks are too good and we can make some yards.”

The faith began to produce dividends in the second quarter when Murray had a 15-yard run. On the Raiders’ first drive of the third quarter, Murray had consecutive runs of 25, 4 and 17 yards in what became another Sebastian Janikowski field-goal drive.

Murray finished with 86 yards on 23 carries and has 376 yards on 66 carries ( 5.7 average) the past five games. The coaches regret not turning to Murray earlier when Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew were struggling, but as Murray will tell you, sometimes players just look better, faster and harder to tackle in games than in practice.

Deep threat: Something else new for the Raiders. Kenbrell Thompkins caught a 50-yard pass from Derek Carr and finished with five receptions for 90 yards. Olson has praised Thompkins’ speed since he was claimed off waivers from the Patriots, and has been looking for someone to take the top off the defense.

Playing for assistant coach: Though most players were talking about Sparano and the job he has done, safety Charles Woodson tied his fate to a different coach.

“A part of it will be what happens coach-wise,” he said when considering whether to return next season. Assistant defensive backs coach “Marcus Robertson has been a big help to me this year. It would be hard to see me playing under another guy.”

Buffalo’s Ron Brooks struggles to tackle Raiders running back Latavius Murray, who ran for a game-high 86 yards. Buffalo’s Ron Brooks struggles to tackle Raiders running back Latavius Murray, who ran for a game-high 86 yards. Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders beat: Sticking with run pays dividends 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Woodson picked off a Kyle Orton pass in the first quarter for his 60th career interception and 22nd as a Raider, tying him with Warren Powers for 10th on the team’s all-time list. He is the only player in NFL history with 60 interceptions and 20 sacks.

Briefly: Punter Marquette King set a franchise record with his 100th punt of the season. The Raiders did not fly in Leo Araguz, who had 98 in 1998, or stop the game to give King the ball. … The three-game home streak is the longest since Nov. 11, 2010. … The Raiders are 2-0 when leading at halftime. … The 13 yards rushing allowed by the Raiders were tied for their third fewest since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. … Outside linebacker Khalil Mack didn’t finish the game after cramping.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.