Raiders to Rebound Against Denver

Last week was a tough loss against a pretty good team. The Raiders had done what they needed to do in order to win, even after letting Jacksonville back in the game. Pulling out a tie with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter, it felt like they would get the ball back, and get the chance to put it away right at the end of the game.

Jason Campbell had a great day - his best yet for the Raiders. I mentioned last week that the audible seemed to be non-existent, but Campbell had three audibles in the game, and one was for a touchdown. Campbell showed true leadership throughout the game, and the comfort to override plays that came in from the coach, based on what he saw the defense doing.

It all speaks well for the future.

Today, the Raiders take on the Denver Broncos in Oakland. I hate to be a broken record - you may well take me to task for it - but . . . the Raiders can beat anybody - and I mean anybody - if they do what it takes to get the running game going and keep it going, and defensively put pressure on the quarterback on every play.

Tom Tebow will start for the Broncos today, and as a reasonably mobile quarterback he will likely be a challenge to contain. Expect at least one big gainer on a 3rd down.

Put pressure on him and frustrate him, and the Raiders should show him how this is not college. He still has a lot to learn.

Today is a great opportunity for the Raiders - an important game on a number of fronts.

• If they win the remaining three games they have a winning record at the end of the season
• Win today, and they are 5-0 in the division, with the chance to sweep against KC
• Keep alive the possibility that they get into the playoffs
• Establish they are in fact better than bad teams - and Denver is a bad team this year

It may be that you are holding your breath in anticipation of the Raiders getting into the playoffs.  That would be fantastic.

But on a realistic front, I would be happy at the end of the season with a winning record.

I would feel an 8-8 record is a solid statement that the Raiders are a team on the move, and are up out of the doldrums of the past seven years - a fantastic season.

But I would be thrilled to see the Raiders sweep the AFC West with a 6-0 record.  How long has it been since we did that?

The Raiders can win today.  I think the Colts Payton Manning can threaten the Raiders with his ability to throw the ball, but we can beat him with pressure.  The Chiefs will be tough, and will certainly be fighting us for a playoff spot, but there is no aspect of their game that we can't stop.

Keep the pressure on the quarterback, run the ball, and the Raiders win!

This has been the best season in years, and I'm lovin' it!

---

Photo Credits:
Photo of Raiders vs Broncos from the Raiders website