ALAMEDA – Even among NFL veterans, running backs can overshadow offensive linemen.

Quarterback Carson Palmer arrived in Oakland last month knowing he'd be playing with two talented running backs in Michael Bush and Darren McFadden.

The other guys who make the running game go were more of a mystery.

"I didn't know how well this offensive line and the fullback play," Palmer said. "I didn't know how good those guys were until I was here and witnessed it firsthand. I didn't realize they were that dominant up front and that powerful upfront. It's been a pleasant surprise."

Jared Veldheer, Stefen Wisniewski, Samson Satele, Cooper Carlisle and Khalif Barnes start on the offensive line, with Joseph Barksdale and Stephon Heyer having also played key roles as reserves or extra blockers this season.

Marcel Reece and Manase Tonga are the fullbacks, and Kevin Boss and Brandon Myers have been primary tight ends this season.

Collectively, they have helped the Raiders become one of the dominant running teams in the NFL.

And it doesn't matter if it's the speedy McFadden or the physical Bush in the backfield.

"I think we've got great backs, in Darren and Bush," said Veldheer, who plays left tackle. "We know that. We knew that all along."

McFadden led the NFL in rushing before spraining his foot. Bush, however, has stepped in, and the overall running game still ranks third in the league.

Bush took over during the first quarter of the Raiders' loss to Kansas City on Oct. 23 and has averaged 115.3 yards in four games. McFadden has missed the past three games.

"It challenges you to just be sound in gap control and (be) disciplined," Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said of playing the Raiders on Sunday. "We have to be disciplined and make sure that everyone is in their gap and just be ready to tackle … "

The Raiders average 156.8 rushing yards and are tied for the league lead with 13 rushing touchdowns.

"The five guys we have up front plus the tight ends and the fullbacks, we've got trust in each other doing our own job," said Satele, the starting center. "We're doing it and trying to do it in a nasty way."

It couldn't be a better time for the running game to be clicking. Palmer has led the Raiders to wins in his past two starts, thanks largely to the running of Bush and the blocking up front.

Palmer, after all, didn't play the first six weeks of the season until being traded to the Raiders from Cincinnati.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson trusts Palmer greatly, but it's easier to ease Palmer along when the running game is working.

Jackson's mantra about building a bully is happening in the running game with a group of linemen who don't care "who's back there running."

"That's the foundation of the football team," Jackson said. "We like to run the ball. Everybody knows who we are, and that's what we're going to do."

Reece said the diversity of the team's offense aids the the rushing attack.

Reece is one of five Raiders with a rushing touchdown.

"You just can't key on Darren; you just can't key on Michael Bush, Taiwan (Jones) or anybody," Reece said. "Because if you do that, we'll go out there and throw it on the outside. And if you sit in a zone, we're going to turn around and hand it to Mike Bush, and you can't tackle him. There's so many things we can do. You have to be a versatile defense to contain our offense."

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