The goal is to reach 6-5

Miami comes to Oakland this Sunday. With both teams at 5-5, it appears they are evenly matched. With Quarterback injuries at Miami, the speculation was that we might face Tyler Thigpen, but the Dolphins list Chad Henne as starting on Sunday.

Henne's not killing the league, not by a long shot, but then, neither are the Raiders quarterbacks. the Dolphins are currently rated 16th overall in the passing game, while the Raiders rank 29th.

Pressure on Henne will continue to be the key in this game for the Raiders defense. Coming off a knee injury, he is likely to be a bit less mobile than he might be otherwise.

The Dolphins have only given up 19 total sacks this year though, and they've faced Tennessee, New England, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore, all of whom can bring a lot of defensive pressure. It's likely their offensive line will be highly protective of their quarterback, and that can be trouble for the Raiders who can cover well as long as the opponent quarterback doesn't have a lot of time to find their receivers.

Namdi Asomugha is expected to be back on the field, but I suspect his ankle will not be at 100%. The good news there is that Brandon Marshall (Dolphins leading receiver) is not flying to Oakland. He is out with a hamstring problem.

The Dolphins have been known the past couple of years, since head coach Tony Sparano arrived, for using the wildcat formation. This year however, it's been more of a passing attack. Sparano has noted that he went to the wildcat because his best players were Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, and the wildcat allowed them to get both players on the field and into the action. However, Sparano feels that Davone Bess and Brian Hartline have developed into solid receivers, and the trade for Brandon Marshall meant they could open up the passing game, and move away from the wildcat.

This year the Dolphins have passed 55% of the time, and completed about 63% of those.

I would not be surprised to see the Dolphins bring out the running game on Sunday, and for the wildcat to make a reappearance.  Teams continue to think they can run on the Raiders, and with the injury to Henne, they may want to take some heat off him.

Miami's running game is no-where near the Raiders, even with the poor showing against Pittsburgh last week. Both featured running backs for the Raiders have out gained their Dolphin counterparts, and considering the Dolphins defense is 20th against the run, and 4th against the pass, you should expect the ground game to be a top feature for the Raiders on Sunday. 

Darren McFadden has been amazing this season. Last week was not a reasonable measure. As Tom Cable said on Monday, McFadden's yardage stats were in large part due to the fact that he only carried the ball 10 times!

I thought the Raiders use of McFadden last week was one of the weaknesses in the game. The responsibility for that lies with Hue Jackson. He tried to run McFadden inside because the Steelers are so good defending the run outside. It was just sad to see the Raiders give away that part of the game so easily. I take that to mean Jackson couldn't figure out how to get it done with the players he had, so when it didn't work, he gave up.

Of course, once you get 21 points behind, it's kind of hard to tryout your running game, but against the Steelers, that didn't happen until the third quarter. Giving up on the running game for Oakland means you put the game result into the hands of the quarterback - in this case Jason Campbell. He confirmed my opinion of him Sunday, and that is his inability to handle line pressure.

Miami WILL blitz and pressure. They have 29 sacks this year - the Raiders have 29 as well.
So, the Raiders go into the game on Sunday with a quarterback controversy, like it or not. Most folks saw the same thing as I did when Gradkowski came in - quick decisions, snappy passes, dealt better with the pressure, moved the team. Unfortunately he made a horrible pass that killed his first drive inside the red zone as his pass got picked off.

Coach Cable came right out after the game on Sunday, and again on Monday to say Campbell is his starting quarterback . . . even going so far as to say that there was no difference when Gradkowski came in . . .

I don't agree, and am confounded by that statement.

Reports this week from "unnamed sources" said that Gradkowski took most of the snaps this week with the first team offense. That would indicated that he would be the starting quarterback.

Ah, the suspense!

Bottom line on Sunday?

I think it will likely be a tough game. Miami is a good team, having faced teams with 58 wins, to the Raiders who have faced teams with a collective 45 wins. Miami's 5-5 record comes against some very tough opponents.

Defensively, the Raiders will need to continue to pressure the quarterback, and reduce the time Henne has to find receivers and make good throws. I am confident the Raiders will defend the run successfully.

On offense, the running game will is the crucial key to winning the game. Run well, control the clock, and open the passing game. Football 101. McFadden looks to me like the second coming of Marcus Allen. If the Raiders give up on the run, or fail to block effectively, it will likely be a tough day for the offense to score with Jason Campbell carrying the responsibility to win the game.

Can the Raiders do it?

Absolutely.

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Photo Credits - in order displayed:
All photos from the Oakland Raiders website "2010 Week 11" photo collection
Photos by Tony Gonzales

1. DT John Henderson pressures the Steelers quarterback.
2. RB Michael Bush tries to make a move around the Steelers defense. 
4. K Sebastian Janikowski kicks a field goal out of the hold of P Shane Lechler.

Well Deserved Rest

Having a rest halfway through the season couldn’t come at a better time for the Raiders.  Their injuries to top players Zach Miller, Nnamdi Asomugha, Bruce Gradkowski, Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, and Samson Satele have a chance to heal without having to hold them out of a game.

Reports indicate that Gradkowski  is really ready to play, though it sounds like Cable is having second thoughts about making a change with three straight wins under Campbell’s belt. 

Chaz Schilens took to the field earlier this week, and the press had a look at him doing what is necessary to show he’s ready to play.  It’s likely though, that he will get only limited play in Pittsburgh, if he gets any at all, since he has missed so much practice.  “I’m getting excited” coach Cable said this past Wednesday.  “Next week we have a chance to get him back in uniform and start to work . . . he gives us another playmaker.”

Zach Miller and Nnamdi Asomugha both stayed in the area to receive treatments, along with other players who received injuries last weekend.  The rest of the players were given time off to go “home” to visit friends and family.  Cable said both players were “improving” but would have to see how they look on Monday.  Having had two sons who played soccer, and one who struggled with ankle injury, I know that some ankle injuries can take a month or more before the pain and swelling goes away.  Hopefully neither of their injuries are bad enough to force extended absence from play.

Louis Murphy is expected to be ready to go against Pittsburgh.  He worked out with the team on Tuesday.  Tyvon Branch and Rolando McClain also worked out with the team.  All three are expected to be ready for the Steelers.

Great Showing Against KC

The Raiders put it out on the table for everyone to see - they are NOT the same old Raiders.  I said I thought they could stop the running game of the Chiefs, and prove they are solid against the run.  Anyone who watched that game ought to know it now as well.  Too many of the "expert" reporters just look at the overall stats without diving into the play-by-play figures which show that in nearly every game the Raiders game up ground yards, there were one or two big plays that accounted for most of those yards.  The Raiders Richard Seymour pointed that out in an interview this week, letting everyone know that the defensive line knows how good they are.

The Raiders played every second of every down.  They put terrific pressure on Matt Cassel, brining him down three times for sacks, and one interception. 

There were a lot of individual efforts that can be called out, but none more important that Jacoby Ford's play in the second half.  His touchdown run on the second half opening kickoff was masterful, working behind excellent blocking he read it perfectly, juked one  time and burst through the gap. 

Ford's catch with 11:28 left in the game that setup a field goal was critical in setting up the tie at the end of the game - without it, the Raiders need a touchdown at the end.  Then, with just :24 seconds left in the game, Ford snags the ball out of the hands of KC defender Brandon Flowers, and instead of a game ending interception, the Raiders get setup for the field goal to tie the game forcing overtime.

But Ford wasn't done.  On the Raiders first play of overtime, Campbell heaves the ball downfield, and Ford, with outstretched arms makes the catch with his hands and brings it into his body as he falls to the ground at the KC 15 yard line. 

What a play!

Janikowski got his chance to prove he is the go-to guy twice in this game with clutch kicks to tie it up, and win it.

Bad Showing

I have found myself saying it more than once - you can only play against one other team on the field.  There are three.  You simply cannot play against the officials.  Nothing you can do about it.  You get a flag to throw for play review, but as proven when the KC touchdown was awarded at the start of the second quarter, it helps, but it doesn't always help.  The view that showed Verran Tucker did not get his right foot down before his knee landing out-of-bounds was apparently not shown to referee Jeff Triplett when he reviewed the call!  What? 

The touchdown was setup in the first place by a horrible interference call against Chris Johnson, AND after having a subsequent touchdown called back after review just two plays before. 

The turnover to KC that setup their go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter was also questionable.  In the stadium, on the big screen, they showed a view that seemed pretty clear his knee hit before the ball started to slide out.  It was close for sure, but the call made it a game changer, and I question how the heck they made the call.  On tape of Cable talking to Triplett about the call, Cable asks how he could make that call when two officials had ruled him down already.  Triplett says he had to make the call based on what he was told . . .  In other words, he did not see it himself, and he made the choice to impact the outcome of the game.  Let's not forget that a Raider came out of the pile with the ball.

Why was Triplett even on the field in that game?  He could barely run!  He looked like an old man out there.  It was the most embarrassing display of officiating that I've seen in the NFL.  

There were other awful calls in that game, but I thought Tom Cable summed it up best:  "Really an ugly game in a lot of ways.  I thought, uh - 27 penalties called on two teams, in this league, in a game this big, is, is, unbelievable. "

Shed the Old Ways

But the Raiders shed their old ways that day - perhaps once-and-for-all.  Nothing got in their way of the goal . . . a win . . . a big win. Not the officials.  Not the weather.  Not themselves.  Not even Kansas City.

Watch out Pittsburgh.  

Video
For the win!

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Photo Credits - in order displayed:

1. Raiders sign at the Oakland Coliseum.  Photo by Lori Sheirich.
2. Scoreboard sign with final game score.  Photo by Lori Sheirich.
3. WR Jacoby Ford returns the kickoff for 94-yards and a touchdown to start the 2nd half. Photo by Tony Gonzales. 
4. Raiders setup winning field goal in overtime.  Photo by Lori Sheirich.
5. K Sebastian Janikowski speaks to the media after beating the Chiefs 23-20 with a field goal in overtime. Photo by Tony Gonzales.

Photos numbered 3 and 5 are from the Oakland Raiders website 2010 Week 9 Photo Collection.

Important Game for the Raiders

Sunday, November 7th, 2010, the Oakland Raiders will play the most important game since their 2002 Super Bowl game against Tampa Bay.

There are three key elements that makes this game so important:

1. It is against the first place team in their division.
2. They will pull even in wins with KC if they win, or fall back two if they loose.
3. They will be 3-0 in division play with three remaining division games, and KC will have four left to play.

These are not the only important factors that contribute to the importance of this game, but they are what will establish the Raiders as a team that has to be reckoned with.  If they win this game the Raiders will be in solid contention for a playoff spot, and on a roll as they go into a badly needed bye week.

There are other meaningful reasons why this is such an important game:

1. From a pride standpoint, it will mark the first time since 2002 that they won three games in a row.
2. They will be over .500 for the first time since 2002 this far into the season.
3. They have attracted a stadium full of fans - the first sellout since Sept. 14, 2009.  Fan interest will soar - possibly even pushing them to sell out the rest of the home games.
4. They have been badgered as a team that is not very good against the run - they can prove otherwise.
5. They can believe - no - everyone can believe - that the Raiders have "turned the corner" and are now a really good football team.
6. They can prove that they have shed  the old "habit" of a looser.

It won't be easy.  Let's take a quick look at some of the challenges they will be facing:

1. KC is currently ranked as the number one rushing offense.
2. KC has TWO running backs that have over 500 yards.
3. Nnamdi Asomugha is unlikely to be able to play having suffered a bad ankle sprain last week.
4. Zach Miller suffered an ankle sprain as well, and could have problems if he is hit low again.
5. The Raiders will be without Louis Murphy who is still their top wide receiver this year after having missed last week's game.
6. KC has only three players listed on their Injury Report, none are reported as "out" for the game.
7. The weather may be bad - it's expected to rain throughout the day.

But there are some significant factors that point to a Raiders win Sunday:

1. The Raiders are 9th over all in defense - KC is 16th.
2. While KC is 1st in rushing offense, the Raiders are 2nd.
3. The Raiders are ranked poorly as a passing offense at 20th - but KC is dead last at 32nd
4. The Raiders pass defense is ranked 5th, while KC is ranked 23rd.
5. KC's run defense is in the 7th spot - but our running game didn't have a problem against San Diego's, ranked #2.
6. The Raiders defensive line has put terrific pressure on quarterbacks the past two games and dominated the line against the run as well.
7. KC's opponents have won 20 games (Raiders opponents have 27 wins), and the three best teams they've played have 13 wins between them - and KC lost two of those games (Indianapolis and Houston).

My interpretation of these facts is that the Raiders ought to win this match-up. 

KC's defense, while good against the run, will not stop the Raiders through all four quarters.   With a passing game that's going reasonably well, the Raiders ought to be able to throw against the Chiefs, and assuming the play action calls will continue, the running game will open up enough to get the job done.  I'm looking for the Raiders to get between 100 - 150 yards, and I believe Hugh Jackson's play calling will beat KC's defensive calls. 

Jason Campbell doesn't handle the pass rush very well, but that doesn't seem to be a great threat, as KC is ranked 19th in sacks.  The Raiders have managed pretty well against the Chargers (2nd), Seattle (8th), and the Rams (6th).  Only the Titans have really mauled the Raiders, and the 49ers pressured well.  If Jason does get pressured, and doesn't handle it well, look for Bruce Gradkowski to come off the bench again.

The Raiders have given up some big numbers on the ground, but when you look at, most of the big runners got close to half their yardage on one big play.  The past couple of weeks the Raiders have done pretty well closing the lanes, and bringing down the RB.  While I don't rule out a big play or two, I don't see the Raiders getting steamrolled on the ground. 

As for KC's passing game - it's not their strength.  Of course, I still don't feel the Raiders pass defense is our strength either, but I have to say, it's looked really good the past couple of weeks.  Routt has played pretty well, Branch has been solid, and Mike Mitchell has played really well.  Of all the games to have Asomugha out, assuming our defensive line continues to pressure as they've been doing . . .

I think they will handle KC and win.

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Photo Credits - in order displayed:
All photos from the Oakland Raiders website "2010 Week 8" photo collection
Photos by Tony Gonzales

1. LB Rolando McClain tackles Seahawks RB Justin Forsett.
2. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey uses his speed to break away from the defense and run the ball in for a touchdown, while his teammates cheer on the sideline.
3. FB Marcel Reece breaks for the end zone.
4. RB Michael Bush breaks off a 30-yard run.
5. QB Jason Campbell gets ready to throw as G Robert Gallery holds off the defender.
6. Oakland Raiders Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable speaks to the team after a dominant 33-3 win over the Seahawks.