The Oakland Raiders might want to start utilizing Johnny Townsend in a few different ways. The Raiders punter took a fake punt 42 yards against the Chargers in the first quarter on Sunday, and he looked like a natural runner doing it. Townsend broke outside and had the Raiders' second-longest run of the season, only trailing a 52-yard carry from Marshawn Lynch.
Townsend absolutely GOES.
This is an exceptionally executed fake punt by the Raiders. Put Townsend out wide. Better runner than punter. pic.twitter.com/Y18Iy6LN8U
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) November 11, 2018
If you're someone who doesn't run the ball naturally, running the ball is a terrifying prospect. As it turns out, Townsend has a phenomenal fight or flight instinct. In his run, he reached a top speed of 20.48 mph, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
If you're wondering how ridiculously fast that is, that's faster than the top speeds reached by Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt's this season.
Raiders punter Johnny Townsend reached a top speed of 20.48 MPH on his 42-yard run off a fake punt.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 11, 2018
That's faster than any speed for Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt as a ball carrier this season. #LACvsOAK #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/7WZzi0BntI
One of the only things better than a fat-man touchdown is a special-teams sprinter. Townsend deserves a lot of credit for that break outside, and despite another Raiders loss, at least there's a highlight to go with it.
Jon Gruden is probably wondering if Townsend can rush the passer now. It couldn't hurt to try at this point in the season for the 1-8 Raiders.
