Statistical Analysis

These days people are so infatuated with statistics and a better understanding of the game. In baseball, a pitcher with a losing record won the Cy Young Award in the AL. So called experts are also now saying that QB Rating is overrated and doesn't truly define how good a QB is. So what do we go off of to prove a player's worth? Is it tackles? sacks? interceptions? YAC? TDs? Yahoo Sports did some statistical analysis that's worth taking a look at. You'd be surprised to see how many Raiders are on the list of top 3 in each category. In fact, I'll show you evidence that the Raiders would be fine if they let Asomugha go in free agency. Here is a look at the top Cornerbacks in the NFL in burn percentage, or in other words, percentage of completions to times targeted. Three of the top six corner backs in burn percentage were Oakland Raiders. They were in good company as well, don't just write it off because the perception is that they aren't any good. There are a lot of statistics just like the ones I've shown you that prove the fact that they are a dominant group. This is one of the reasons why teams have such success running the ball against them. The Raiders will not allow you to be successful throwing the football. Teams run because they know it's their only way of being successful. Stopping the run is starting to become a reality as well. It should be a lot of fun next year with the defense if it stays intact.

Let's take a look at the Asomugha factor again. If Nnamdi were to leave in free agency, which doesn't appear likely, the Raiders best corner moving forward would be Stanford Routt. Routt's transition is much like Asomugha's when he first came into the league. A lot of hype starting out, followed by disappointment, and then promise. Asomugha basically made it to where Woodson became expendable. It was only when Woodson left that Nnam began to shine. The same could be said for Routt. Routt has the speed and the size to become an elite player. Should we allow Asomugha to leave because of this? I don't think so. It means that if he were to leave, I believe we would be in good shape moving forward.

Tom Cable Out As Head Coach

The Raiders announced Tuesday night that they will not be picking up Cable's option on his contract for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. This leaves an opening at the Head Coach position. The question is now, what are their options? The most likely scenario would be to promote Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson to the Head Coach position. Some feel that he was brought in here this year to eventually take over as Head Coach. This seems most likely since the decision to not pick up Cable's option comes on the heels of several teams showing interest in Jackson as Head Coach. Al Davis is fond of Jackson and most likely wouldn't want to lose him and this might be the best way to keep him. Another option would be to go after a higher profile coach such as Jim Harbaugh or Bill Cowher. Cowher is unlikely to want to work with Davis and Harbaugh might be interested in staying in the Bay Area, and he has mentioned that if he were to leave Stanford, it would only be to take a position as HC in the NFL. The most obvious choice is Jackson and would probably be the best for the team overall moving forward without losing momentum they gained this year. What I don't understand is the reasoning for not picking up Cable's option. He has the team moving in the right direction and went 6-0 in the division. The offense more than doubled their point output from a year ago and their yards per game went up by more than 88 yards/game from last year. They have a ton of young talent and showed improvement throughout the year. This is a team on the rise and the only thing I can figure, other than what I laid out earlier, is that Davis thought this team was a playoff team and Cable didn't get them there. Coaching staffs need more than 2+ years to get things turned around. It doesn't just happen overnight and he was instrumental in changing the atmosphere surrounding the team. I know he will find a job elsewhere if it isn't as a lower position within the organization. There were too many people up in arms about the discussion of letting him go around the league that someone will want to snatch him up. Good luck Cable! You will always be a Raider!

Raiders vs. Chiefs Predictions

It's time to look at the last game of the season and give a prediction. It's going to be a short one since I'll be heading over to my parents to watch it and I didn't get a chance to write on Thursday night because of spending time with the cousins. So, I'll break down the rankings and let you know what I think will take place, and ultimately, the winner. So here you go:

Raiders offense vs. Chiefs defense

Raiders

Overall offense: 10th

Rush offense: 2nd

Pass offense: 23rd

Chiefs

Overall defense: 11th

Rush defense: 12th

Pass defense: 19th

This one is a close one to decide. The one thing I know that the team that runs the ball better will win.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders defense vs. Chiefs offense

Raiders

Overall defense: 13th

Rush defense :29th

Pass defense: 3rd

Chiefs

Overall offense: 9th

Rush offense: 1st

Pass offense: 28th

The Raiders have completely dominated the division in terms of rushing differential. The Raiders have averaged 213 yards rushing against the AFC West and are only giving up 73 yards rushing. This is the main reason they are 5-0 in the division. If they are going to go to 6-0, they must slow down Kansas City's rushing attack.

Advantage: Chiefs

Special Teams

Raiders have the Pro Bowl starter at Punter and alternate at Kicker, who broke the all-time scoring record for the Raiders this year with one game to play. They also have Jacoby Ford who has run back the most kickoff returns for TD's this year in the NFL. This one is Raiders all the way.

Advantage: Raiders

Prediction: Raiders 24, Chiefs 23 (Raiders will extend their winning streak at Arrowhead to 4, regardless of the fact that they are unbeaten at home this year.)