Jalen Richard probably slept very well Sunday night.
Not only did the Oakland Raiders earn a hard-fought, 23-21 road win over the Arizona Cardinals, but the third-year back was busy from whistle to whistle.
Richard not only led the team in rushing yards (61), but as has become the norm in 2018, he contributed heavily in the passing game as well, hauling in three catches for 32 yards.
Oh, I forgot to mention that he was also called upon in relief to field a pair of punts while usual returner Dwayne Harris was dealing with some in-game ailments.
"He [Richard] had to return punts and then he had to go get us peanuts and snacks upstairs after the game," Head Coach Jon Gruden joked Monday. "He did it all for us. He got the concessions. He is a helluva player, a great competitor and he has really come on as an every-down back, not just a third-down back. There is not much he can't do for us."
And for the player that Gruden said was likely the team's Most Valuable Player through 11 weeks, Richard has unquestionably flashed his versatility and made himself an integral part of the Raiders offense.
Without the services of Marshawn Lynch the past four games, Richard – as well as Doug Martin and DeAndré Washington – has seen an increase in his responsibilities in the rushing attack, and give No. 30 credit, he's made the most of his chances.
"When guys go down, people have to step up," Derek Carr said. "Depth, how important that is to continue to sustain, to be able to play well, and we have two good backs that came in, they [Richard and Washington] were great on their assignments. Blitz pickup was awesome, and so, yeah, they played really well."
Richard in particular has played really well in 2018.
Not only is he averaging an impressive 4.1 yards per carry without the benefit of getting the football consistently – the game against the Cardinals aside – but his 432 receiving yards are not only 176 yards more than his previous career high, but it's a number that's also good enough to rank him second on the Raiders' roster, behind just tight end Jared Cook.
It's that versatility – excelling both as a rusher and as a receiving option – that has turned Richard into one of the most obvious bright spots of 2018 for Coach Gruden's squad.
"He's a mean guy, tough guy when the game starts," Gruden said of Richard. "Hard to tackle. He is a Charlie Garner type back. He reminds me a lot of Garner, if you all remember him? He's a guy that I think someday could run for 1,000 yards and catch 1,000 yards worth of passes. He's a guy we can line up in the slot, we can line him up out wide. He might not be the biggest back, but he plays big. He's very quick and decisive, and he's got great vision."
The Raiders have six games left on the schedule, and what they do in those games remains to be seen, but if Richard keeps up his current production, 2018 will be a career year for the versatile running back.
Take a look through the top images from the Raiders' game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 at State Farm Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up before their regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
The locker room prior to The Oakland Raiders arrival for their regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) during the national anthem before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), safety Reggie Nelson (27), linebacker Kyle Wilber (58), and defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98) during the coin toss before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53), linebacker Marquel Lee (55), and strong safety Karl Joseph (42) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73), cornerback Daryl Worley (20), and cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Rashaan Melvin (22) and cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) and cornerback Nick Nelson (23) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88), tight end Jared Cook (87), tackle Kolton Miller (77), and running back Doug Martin (28) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25), fullback Keith Smith (41), wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris (17), and tight end Lee Smith (86) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) and cornerback Rahsaan Melvin (22) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele (70), and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91), long snapper Trent Sieg (47), punter Johnny Townsend (5), and linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23), tight end Derek Carrier (85), and safety Erik Harris (25) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53), strong safety Karl Joseph (42), safety Erik Harris (25), tight end Lee Smith (86), and linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
A look back at the matchups through the years between the Raiders and the Cardinals.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
A look back at the matchups through the years between the Raiders and the Cardinals.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75), kicker Daniel Carlson (8), tight end Lee Smith (86), punter Johnny Townsend (5), and tackle Kolton Miller (77) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31), strong safety Karl Joseph (42), and linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
A look back at the matchups through the years between the Raiders and the Cardinals.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders coaching assistant Mark Arteage, quarterback Derek Carr (4), head coach Jon Gruden, and tight ends coach Frank Smith during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (77) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele (70), quarterback AJ McCarron (2), offensive line coach Tom Cable, center Rodney Hudson (61), and guard/center Jon Feliciano (76) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66), quarterback Derek Carr (4), center Rodney Hudson (61), and guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele (70) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88), wide receiver Seth Roberts (10), and wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (80) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and head coach Jon Gruden during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
A look back at the matchups through the years between the Raiders and the Cardinals.
the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
A look back at the matchups through the years between the Raiders and the Cardinals.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden addresses his players after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98) addresses the team after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, Sunday, November 18, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21.
