Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer sees signs of improvement in both Oakland's running game and offensive line, but there's still a long way to go. (US Presswire)

The Raiders rank last in the NFL in rushing at a paltry 60.8 yards per game. Running back Darren McFadden has rushed for only 201 yards on 57 carries and is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, down from 5.4 in 2011.

Time for the Raiders to abandon the run Sunday at Atlanta? Not exactly.

"I know a lot of people outside of the facility are discouraged in our run game," Raiders QB  Carson Palmer said. "We're going to continue to work at it. We're not going to give up. We're not going to stop running the football. If anything, we're going to run the football more. That puts the ball in our best player's hands."

McFadden, who is averaging only 14.3 carries per game, likes the idea of getting the ball more often.

"Oh yeah, I'm always up for that," McFadden said. "You want to put it in my hands more, I'm loving it. It's something a running back likes. The more carries, the better the chances are of getting big runs."

During the bye week, Raiders coach Dennis Allen and his assistants examined every aspect of their 1-3 team, including the sluggish running game and zone blocking scheme.

"Well, you can't throw everything out and just start over in the middle of the year," Allen said. "So yeah, there's been a few tweaks, a few emphasis points, but nothing like a drastic change, other than we've got to execute better."

That means you can expect the same starting offensive line Sunday at Atlanta -- left tackle Jared Veldheer, left guard Cooper Carlisle, center Stefen Wisniewski, right guard Mike Brisiel and right tackle Willie Smith, subbing again for the injured Khalif Barnes.

Palmer said he's seen improvement in the running game and zone blocking scheme.

"It may not look it statistically, but we talk about run game efficiency. Our yards per attempt have gone up, our efficiency is up," Palmer said. "When you’re an arm tackle away it’s still not a good play but we look at it as the glass is half-full. We’re an arm tackle away from Darren ripping off a 10-yarder or a 40-yarder, 50-yarder, whatever it may be. So we’re not discouraged."

This could be a good week for the Raiders to get their running came on track. Atlanta's defense ranks 27th against the run, allowing 142.8 yards per game. Opposing teams have gashed the Falcons for 5.4 yards per carry.

"They're an extremely fast defense," Allen said of the Falcons. "They're not an overly big defense. They run hard to the ball. So every now and then, they might over-pursue a little bit. But they play the pass extremely well and they play a lot of split-safety defense to try to eliminate the balls being thrown down the field. So people are trying to attack them in the running game when they play all that split-safety defense."

Palmer said the reasons for the Raiders to run the ball more often Sunday go beyond the Falcons' trouble stopping the run.

"It’s just what you need to do," Palmer said. "With an offense like they have, an explosive offense, you want to control the clock a little bit and get your defense as much rest as possible. Running the ball is what we want to do. Obviously we want to do it better than we have and that’s why we continue to work at it. But it’s what gets the play-action game going, it’s what gets explosive plays because Darren can score from anywhere. So it’s something we expect we’re going to do."

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.