"Running back Darren McFadden shined brightest for the Raiders on Sunday, when positives were few and far between during a season-opening loss to the Tennessee Titans.

McFadden rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries, caught six passes for 55 more yards and scored Oakland's lone touchdown.

"He was a real positive for our football team," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "He did a lot of things that we needed him to do, catching the ball, blocking, running with the football. He was able to convert some plays. That's the kind of player we envisioned him being. As I have said all along, if he is healthy, that's what he is capable of."

McFadden battled toe, shoulder and knee injuries during his first two seasons. He also fought for playing time in a backfield that featured Justin Fargas and Michael Bush.

As expected, Bush sat out Sunday's game with a broken left thumb. That cleared the way for McFadden to take center stage.

McFadden outplayed Titans counterpart Chris Johnson for most of the game. Both running backs averaged 5.3 yards per carry, but 76 of Johnson's 142 yards came on one play.

"I feel like I just did the best job that I could out there, as far as how the coaches use me," McFadden said. "You want to go out there and play hard and I feel like I did that. "... It felt good.""