This week features a game between two 1-0 teams fresh off some big season opening victories on the road. The Bills dominated the Chiefs, beating them 41-7 and left them as a team that the NFL world is abuzz as an upstart team. The Raiders had an impressive win on the road in Denver, 23-20, showing off a dominating front four on the defensive line. They registered 5 sacks and hounded Orton all night on blitzes. One thing we learn about the NFL, is that every week is a new week and anything can happen. With that being said, let's take a look and the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Bills Defense
The Raiders will feature a heavy dose of the running game and just ask Campbell to manage the game on play-action passes. McFadden is off to a great start with 150 yards on 22 carries last week against Denver. The Bills will look to limit the running game while trying to get pressure on Campbell with pass-rushers Merriman and rookie Marcell Dareus. Leodis McKelvin is a playmaker on the outside and will be matched up against DHB. The Raiders will be without Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy but will welcome back TE Kevin Boss, who should be a favorite target for Campbell.
Advantage: Bills
Raiders Defense vs. Bills Offense
The Raiders front four is the strongest unit on this team and really wear down teams by the second half. Three of the four starters on the line recorded at least one sack last week against Denver and should be on the prowl again in this one. The Bills like to spread it out with three and four receiver sets with Stevie Johnson being the main target for second-year starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. They also lean on Fred Jackson in the running game, who went over 100 yards on the ground against Kansas City last week. The Raiders may be a little thin in the defensive backfield with Huff as a question mark but should be helped by a strong pass-rush.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The strength of the kicking game was on full display last week against the Broncos for the Raiders. Janikowski kicked a career long and NFL record-tying field goal of 63 yards and Lechler kicked a career-long punt of 76 yards. There weren't any kickoffs returned last week in the thin air of Mile High as both kickers kicked the ball through the end zone on every kickoff. The Bills have some talented returners in Brad Smith and Roscoe Parrish. The Raiders' kickers would be advised to remove the threat of a big return by kicking away from these dangerous returners. The Raiders were burned last week on a punt return for a TD by Eric Decker.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 28, Bills 27
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Raiders vs. Broncos Predictions
Football is back! What an opening Sunday of football we had today. There were a lot of surprises and exciting games. It will definitely be an interesting year this year. The Steelers, Colts, and Chiefs were all division winners from last year that were beat down by an average of 30 points on opening weekend. Many thought that kickoff returns for TDs would come down drastically because of the new rule, but there were at least two returns for TDs this opening weekend. However, it is time now to take a look at the Raider's opening game tomorrow night, the second game of the Monday Night doubleheader against the Broncos.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
There was much criticism on the Raiders offensive line coming into the season opener. Many felt that they would take a big step backwards with the loss of Robert Gallery, arguably their best lineman from last year. They filled the hole by drafting Stefan Wisniewski out of Penn State. In the preseason the line has played pretty well together and Jason Campbell has had plenty of time to throw and did not have much pressure on him. Jared Veldheer really played well in the second half of his rookie season and should improve even more this year. The Raiders also drafted a couple of offensive weapons that they are high on in RB Taiwan Jones and WR Denarius Moore. They both should see some action in this game. The Raiders really torched Denver last year with over 500 yards in each game and averaged over 40 points per contest. The Broncos should have a better defense than the one we saw last year with the return of a healthy Elvis Dumervil and rookie Von Miller to apply pressure to the QB. Still, the Raiders have a tremendous running game and speed all over the field.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Asomugha-less Raiders will have to rely more on their pass rush this year to relieve the pressure on the cornerbacks. They should be in good hands, however, with the return of 10 starters on a defense that ranked second in the NFL in sacks and second in Pass Defense. If they are close to those numbers this year, they should be alright. They must do a better job at not over-pursuing on run plays and giving up big gains on the ground. The Broncos will feature Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee in the backfield and NFL-leading receiver from a year ago, Brandon Lloyd as the top target through the air. Both teams should be amped up and ready to show what they are made of this year.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders Special Teams were truly special last year. Jacoby Ford returned three kickoffs for TDs to lead the league and Sebastian Janikowski led the AFC in scoring and field goals made in his best season as a pro. Lechler was his usual self in leading the league in punt average. There is not much to say other than this unit is truly great. The Broncos have a good punt returner in Eddie Royal and above-average punter in Britton Colquitt and below-average kicker in Matt Prater.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 24, Broncos 21
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
There was much criticism on the Raiders offensive line coming into the season opener. Many felt that they would take a big step backwards with the loss of Robert Gallery, arguably their best lineman from last year. They filled the hole by drafting Stefan Wisniewski out of Penn State. In the preseason the line has played pretty well together and Jason Campbell has had plenty of time to throw and did not have much pressure on him. Jared Veldheer really played well in the second half of his rookie season and should improve even more this year. The Raiders also drafted a couple of offensive weapons that they are high on in RB Taiwan Jones and WR Denarius Moore. They both should see some action in this game. The Raiders really torched Denver last year with over 500 yards in each game and averaged over 40 points per contest. The Broncos should have a better defense than the one we saw last year with the return of a healthy Elvis Dumervil and rookie Von Miller to apply pressure to the QB. Still, the Raiders have a tremendous running game and speed all over the field.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Asomugha-less Raiders will have to rely more on their pass rush this year to relieve the pressure on the cornerbacks. They should be in good hands, however, with the return of 10 starters on a defense that ranked second in the NFL in sacks and second in Pass Defense. If they are close to those numbers this year, they should be alright. They must do a better job at not over-pursuing on run plays and giving up big gains on the ground. The Broncos will feature Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee in the backfield and NFL-leading receiver from a year ago, Brandon Lloyd as the top target through the air. Both teams should be amped up and ready to show what they are made of this year.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders Special Teams were truly special last year. Jacoby Ford returned three kickoffs for TDs to lead the league and Sebastian Janikowski led the AFC in scoring and field goals made in his best season as a pro. Lechler was his usual self in leading the league in punt average. There is not much to say other than this unit is truly great. The Broncos have a good punt returner in Eddie Royal and above-average punter in Britton Colquitt and below-average kicker in Matt Prater.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 24, Broncos 21
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