SAN FRANCISCO - Pigskin pop quiz: Are the Patriots a passing team or a running team this season?
It's a trick question and a tricky problem for opposing defenses. Just ask the Oakland Raiders, who geared up to stop receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker and got run over to the tune of 277 yards rushing - the Patriots' most since 1985 - and still allowed Matt Cassel to throw a career-high four touchdown passes in New England's 49-26 victory Sunday.
After their outburst, the Patriots actually rank higher in the NFL in rushing offense than passing offense. The Patriots are seventh in rushing yards per game (137.6), while they are 11th in passing (226.1). Although the running attack has flown under the radar, the Patriots have rushed for 1,927 yards, already topping last season's total (1,849). They are averaging 4.5 yards per carry, which would be the most by a Patriots team since 1983 (4.8).
"Honestly, as a team, I think we feel most confident in that we've been able to run the ball effectively as well as throw it," said Sammy Morris, who rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries against the Raiders. "I think that kind of sets up a potent attack as an offense, and obviously it helps out our whole team."
Barring an unforeseen breakdown, Patriots will top 2,000 yards rushing. If they do, it will be only the third time the Patriots have surpassed 2,000 yards in a season since 1985 - which was the last of three consecutive 2,000-plus seasons.
In 1988, the Patriots ran for 2,120 yards on 588 carries (3.6 yards per car ry), led by John Stephens's 1,168 yards. In 2004, behind Corey Dillon's club-record 1,635 yards, the Patriots had 2,134 yards on 524 carries (4.1 yards per carry).
What makes the Patriots' running attack all the more remarkable is that it has flourished without a feature back - Laurence Maroney was shelved for the season with a shoulder injury.
Despite missing 2 1/2 games with a knee injury, Morris is the Patriots' leading rusher with 554 yards and seven touchdowns on 117 carries (4.7 yards per carry). Kevin Faulk, who has 506 yards rushing, is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. LaMont Jordan, who ran for 97 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against his former team, is averaging 5.5 yards per attempt.
When Jordan, who missed eight games this season with a right calf injury, was out and Morris was being eased back from his injury, undrafted rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis stepped in and ran for 105 yards (on 26 carries) Nov. 9 against Buffalo. Green-Ellis, the team's third-leading rusher (275 yards, 74 carries, 3.7 yards per carry) was a healthy scratch Sunday, even though his five rushing touchdowns trail only Morris.