The 7-6 Raiders head home looking to stop a two-game losing streak as they face the 8-5 Lions. This is a game the Raiders have to win if they hope to make it to the playoffs this season. They will get some help as every other team in the division is playing a team they will most likely lose against. The Broncos face the Patriots (10-3), the Chiefs play the Packers (13-0) and the Chargers square off against the Ravens (10-3). If the Raiders find a way to win, they should be in a first place tie with the Broncos. Let's take a look at the match-ups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Lions Defense
The Raiders offense will return one of their impact players in Denarius Moore. Look for Carson Palmer to target him early and often as the two developed a chemistry early on in the season. The Raiders will also look the pound the football on the ground with Michael Bush. The Lions are near the bottom of the league in rushing defense, giving up 5.1 yards a rush and 136 yards a game. The Lions will welcome back Ndamukong Suh from the two game suspension and should be a load inside for Satele and company to block on passing downs. Palmer must limit his turnovers, as he faces a team that is second in the league in interceptions. Palmer has thrown 13 INT's in just 6+ games, and one of the main reasons they get so far behind in games early. They need to take care of the football better going forward if they hope to make a run at the playoffs.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Lions Offense
The Raiders defense has had trouble getting off the field on third downs and it has shown in the scoreboard the last two weeks. The main reason is the lack of domination of the front line. Seymour has not been able to play at even 75% and has only 5 tackles in the last 6 games because of injury. They also aren't containing the QB in the pocket and are allowing them to run or make something happen on the fly. The run defense has been porous since the Denver game, giving up 169 yards/game. In the 7 games prior, they were allowing a more respectable 116 yards/game. This should be a point of emphasis going into the Lions game. The Lions will look to throw the ball, something the Raiders are more capable of defending. The game will most likely be determined by the turnover battle. Every Raiders game this year but one has been won by the team that has fewer turnovers.
Advantage: Lions
Special Teams
The Lions have an above-average kicker in Jason Hanson and a decent return-man in Stefan Logan. Their punting leaves much to be desired. The Raiders are still without Jacoby Ford but will have the services of Denarius Moore on punt returns. Lechler and Janikowski are the best in the league at what the do and subsequently lead their respective positions in Pro Bowl balloting.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 27, Lions 24
Record to date: 7-5
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Raiders vs. Packers Predictions
This is the week we've all been waiting for. The one where we head into Green Bay against the undefeated Packers and get beat like a drum. The division is on the line as the Raiders are currently tied for the division lead with the Broncos, the Broncos having the tie-breaker. Never has a game been more important for the Raiders in the last 10 years than this one will be and every game from here on out as they try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. We'll see what the Raiders are made of as they go against all odds on the road in Green Bay. Let's take a look at the match-ups and decide a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Packers Defense
I start sounding like a broken record, but once again the Raiders will be without McFadden, Moore and Ford, their speedsters on the edge. They will also be without Taiwan Jones, their speedy scant-back. This does not necessarily mean doom and gloom for the offense, however. The Packers will be without their leading tackler Desmond Bishop and give up a lot of yards as it is, currently ranked 31st in total defense. They will be able to get the yardage, it just depends on whether or not they score TD's, which has been a problem the last few weeks. Carson Palmer also is 2-0 against the Packers and has said that Lambeau Field is his favorite place to play. Michael Bush will have to get back on track after a miserable performance against Miami and I think he will. The Packers struggle against big RB's, just check out this run by LaGarrette Blount: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNcmWhJloxQ If the Raiders can run for 150+ against the Packers, the Raiders win.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Packers Offense
Here is where the game could be decided. The Packers always seem to score 35+ points a game. For the Raiders to win, they need to keep that score to 21 or less. That means the pass rush must show up in a big way. The good thing for the Raiders is that the Packers will be without two starting Linemen in Guard Josh Sitton and Tackle Chad Clifton. Kamerion Wimbley, Lamar Houston and company must put pressure on Aaron Rodgers and get him uncomfortable to derail their undefeated season. For whatever reason, the Raiders' defense always seems to show up when you least expect it. They need to do that today to save their season.
Advantage: Packers
Special Teams
The Packers have a good return-man in Randall Cobb, who has returned both a kickoff and a punt for TD's this year. They have a good kicker in Mason Crosby. The Raiders will be without their best returners in Ford and Moore bust still possess the best kicking tandem in the league in Janikowski and Lechler.
Advantage: Packers
Prediction: Packers 38, Raiders 17
Raiders Offense vs. Packers Defense
I start sounding like a broken record, but once again the Raiders will be without McFadden, Moore and Ford, their speedsters on the edge. They will also be without Taiwan Jones, their speedy scant-back. This does not necessarily mean doom and gloom for the offense, however. The Packers will be without their leading tackler Desmond Bishop and give up a lot of yards as it is, currently ranked 31st in total defense. They will be able to get the yardage, it just depends on whether or not they score TD's, which has been a problem the last few weeks. Carson Palmer also is 2-0 against the Packers and has said that Lambeau Field is his favorite place to play. Michael Bush will have to get back on track after a miserable performance against Miami and I think he will. The Packers struggle against big RB's, just check out this run by LaGarrette Blount: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNcmWhJloxQ If the Raiders can run for 150+ against the Packers, the Raiders win.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Packers Offense
Here is where the game could be decided. The Packers always seem to score 35+ points a game. For the Raiders to win, they need to keep that score to 21 or less. That means the pass rush must show up in a big way. The good thing for the Raiders is that the Packers will be without two starting Linemen in Guard Josh Sitton and Tackle Chad Clifton. Kamerion Wimbley, Lamar Houston and company must put pressure on Aaron Rodgers and get him uncomfortable to derail their undefeated season. For whatever reason, the Raiders' defense always seems to show up when you least expect it. They need to do that today to save their season.
Advantage: Packers
Special Teams
The Packers have a good return-man in Randall Cobb, who has returned both a kickoff and a punt for TD's this year. They have a good kicker in Mason Crosby. The Raiders will be without their best returners in Ford and Moore bust still possess the best kicking tandem in the league in Janikowski and Lechler.
Advantage: Packers
Prediction: Packers 38, Raiders 17
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Raiders vs. Dolphins Predictions
This week the Raiders head East to Miami to take on the 3-8 Dolphins. The Raiders are coming off a victory at home against the Bears while the Dolphins are coming off a 1 point loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Let's take a look at the match-ups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Dolphins Defense
The Raiders are still not completely healthy at the skill positions. Darren McFadden is still out as is Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. They still have talent and depth at those positions and should not see much of a drop-off with Bush running the ball and Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy catching the ball. They should continue to get Marcel Reece the ball in the passing game as he is a match-up nightmare for every team in the league. The Dolphins have a good rush defense and can rush the passer with Cameron Wake and Jake Long. The Raiders will look to establish the run early.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Dolphins Offense
The Raiders are more healthy on this side of the ball but still may be without Rolando McClain and Richard Seymour is banged up but should go. The Dolphins are terrible in the red zone as the have converted only 7 trips out of 38 into TDs. They have a young QB in Matt Moore and have struggled to run the ball consistently all year. The Raiders know that this is a team that they shouldn't take lightly as they had a 3 game winning streak earlier in the year and are always in every game.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders Special Teams were special again last week with Janikowski kicking a record 6 field goals and Lechler booming a record 80 yard punt. This will go down as the best kicking tandem to ever play in the NFL when it's all said and done. The Dolphins have a good kicker in Dan Carpenter and a very good returner in Reggie Bush.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 20, Dolphins 17
Record to date: 6-4
Raiders Offense vs. Dolphins Defense
The Raiders are still not completely healthy at the skill positions. Darren McFadden is still out as is Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. They still have talent and depth at those positions and should not see much of a drop-off with Bush running the ball and Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy catching the ball. They should continue to get Marcel Reece the ball in the passing game as he is a match-up nightmare for every team in the league. The Dolphins have a good rush defense and can rush the passer with Cameron Wake and Jake Long. The Raiders will look to establish the run early.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Dolphins Offense
The Raiders are more healthy on this side of the ball but still may be without Rolando McClain and Richard Seymour is banged up but should go. The Dolphins are terrible in the red zone as the have converted only 7 trips out of 38 into TDs. They have a young QB in Matt Moore and have struggled to run the ball consistently all year. The Raiders know that this is a team that they shouldn't take lightly as they had a 3 game winning streak earlier in the year and are always in every game.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders Special Teams were special again last week with Janikowski kicking a record 6 field goals and Lechler booming a record 80 yard punt. This will go down as the best kicking tandem to ever play in the NFL when it's all said and done. The Dolphins have a good kicker in Dan Carpenter and a very good returner in Reggie Bush.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 20, Dolphins 17
Record to date: 6-4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)