Raiders vs. Chargers Predictions

This week should be pretty cut and dry with the outcome of the game.  Terrelle Pryor will start with a limited playbook and because he has bad footwork and mechanics, he'll throw some interceptions and make some decent runs on scrambles.  Darren McFadden will have trouble finding holes to run through and  Goodson will spell him and get large chunks of yardage.  DHB will disappear and Denarius Moore will drop some passes that would have been first downs.  The defense will keep the Chargers mostly at bay but will have costly penalties that will keep drives alive and allow them to score several TDs.  The Raiders will again fail to score a TD for the third straight game but Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie will both keep their jobs because they were given a lack of talent and payroll to work with.  Richard Seymour will have played his last game as a Raider 7 games ago as he will be a free agent.

Prediction:  Chargers 24, Raiders 9

Record to Date: 10-5

Raiders vs. Panthers Predictions

The Raiders, coming off their best defensive performance in over 30 years, will head to Carolina to face the 5-9 Panthers.  The Raiders will look to build on their win last week against Kansas City and build momentum for next year.  The Panthers are also mired in a disappointing season after many felt this was a team on the rise.  We'll see which team still has fight in them and which one has mailed it in for the season.  Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Panthers Defense

The Raiders last week were unable to get into the end zone, settling for 5 Janikowski field goals.  The emphasis this week will surely be on focusing more in the red zone.  The difference between the great teams and the mediocre teams is turning drives into touchdowns instead of field goals.  The Raiders this week will face another great pass-rushing duo in Johnson and Hardy.  They account for 21.5 of the team's 35 sacks.  Another player to watch out for is rookie LB Luke Kuechly.  Many believe he has a chance at defensive ROY, with good reason, as he is second in the NFL in tackles.  The Raiders feel like they are a complete team with a healthy McFadden and that's what they'll have again this week.  They are 10-2 when McFadden rushes for 100+ yards in a game.  They found the recipe they like for success last week against the Chiefs as they used the run to set up the pass and held the ball for 40+ minutes, keeping their defense fresh and off the field.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Panthers  Offense

The Raiders defense last week held the Chiefs to 119 yards of offense.  This will not be the case this week.  The Panthers offense goes through Cam Newton, as he is the leading rusher at QB.  If you can make him make mistakes or limit his big play ability, you have a chance of containing their offense.  Steve Smith will be a tough assignment as he is small, quick and elusive.  If he gets behind the defense, chances are you won't be able to run him down from behind.  It may serve them well to jam him at the line with a more physical corner like Michael Huff.  The defense's number one concern will be keeping a man on Newton at all times and don't let him scramble for first downs.

Advantage: Panthers

Special Teams

The Raiders are still looking for someone to fulfill Jacoby Ford's role as kickoff and punt returner.  They have yet to find a suitable replacement.  The Panthers have an average return game and average kickers

Advantage: Raiders


Prediction:  Panthers 28, Raiders 24

Record to date: 9-5

Raiders vs. Chiefs Predictions

This week's meeting between the Chiefs and Raiders finds both teams mired in a lost season.  The Raiders are still trying to rebuild after salary cap issues and weeding out players who weren't playing up to their salaries.  The Chiefs find themselves without a long-term answer at QB, which has been put squarely on the shoulders of GM Scott Pioli.  Both teams will be looking at the future and will try to see what they have in their young players the last three weeks of the season.  The Chiefs have probably seen the last of Dwayne Bowe as he was put on the IR late last week, ending his season and going into next year as a free agent.  The Raiders have expressed a desire to get a look at Terrelle Pryor and have some plays drawn up for him if they choose.  It's probably in both team's best interest for draft position to lose this game, but we know that football players have a lot of pride and will do their best to try and get a W.  Let's take a look at the match ups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Chiefs Defense

The Raiders are about as healthy on offense as they have been all year.  Darren McFadden should be good to go and everyone on the offensive line is healthy.  Look for Streater and Criner to see some additional playing time as they are looking at developing these players more for the future.  The coaching staff is real high on Streater and it's clear over the last two weeks that he can make some plays downfield.  The Chiefs defense has not been able to get many turnovers this year and have given up 25 passing TDs.  They are also allowing 131.2 yards/game rushing with a 4.6 yard/carry average.  Three of their best defensive players in Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, and Derrick Johnson are all banged up but should play.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Chiefs Offense

The Raiders defense has not been good for a majority of the season and to explain how desperate it is at CB, the starters for this game will be a guy they picked up off waivers before the season and a guy who started at FS his whole career.  They should have Seymour back for the first time in a long time which should help the defense.  Things are not looking good for Rolando McClain.  He was reinstated this week but was relegated to playing RB for the scout team in practice this week.  That position is usually reserved for practice squad players.  The Chiefs will look to get Jamaal Charles more involved than he was last meeting, especially considering Bowe is out for the remainder of the season.  Charles was only able to amass 10 total yards in the loss earlier in the season.  Expect the Raiders to focus heavily on Charles and the running game with not threat in the passing game with Quinn at QB and no receiving threats.

Advantage: Raiders

Special Teams

The Raiders have not shown any flash of brilliance in the return game on kickoffs or punt returns this season.  Lechler and Seabass are both having Pro Bowl-type years once again.  Colquitt and Succop are both above average kickers with Colquitt's specialty being punts inside the 20.  The Chiefs also don't have much of a return game to speak of.

Advantage: Raiders


Prediction:   Raiders 17, Chiefs 10

Record to Date: 8-5

Raiders vs. Broncos Predictions

The Raiders will look to end a five game skid as they take on the AFC West champion Denver Broncos, who are on a 7-game winning streak.  The Raiders will look to avenge a 37-6 loss to the Broncos earlier in the season.  Fortunately for the Raiders, Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson will both be back from injuries which should help the running game.  They will also be playing with heavy hearts after the passing of their coach's father, former NFL player Grady Allen, earlier this week.  Will the added emotion be enough as they take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos?  Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense

The Raiders offense will have to assume a different role this week if they hope to knock off the 9-3 Broncos.  They most rely on the running game to control tempo and clock and to keep Peyton Manning off the field as much as possible.  The offense has been good lately, but they are in need of more scoring. The yardage is there, but they aren't scoring near enough points to win.  In order to beat the Broncos, they have will to find a way to score TD's and not field goals.  The Broncos on defense have been getting better and better led by pass-rushers Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.  Coach John Fox has always been a defensive-minded coach and now the team is starting to play with that mindset.  Will the addition of McFadden and Goodson be enough to create an upset, or will they return to their form from earlier in the season?

Advantage: Broncos

Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense

If the game goes like it did last time around, specifically in the second-half, the Raiders are going to be in for a long night.  Manning and company were able to do anything they pleased, amassing over 500 yards of offense in their last meeting.  In order for the Raiders to pull off the upset, they must get pressure on Manning, including sacks, and find a way to turn the ball over.  They would also probably have to have one of those turnovers go for a TD.  Seymour is still out for this game, but Mike Mitchell and Matt Giordano were both cleared to play this week after suffering concussions in last week's game versus the Browns.  Expect Manning to go after Ron Bartell as he has been burned on coverage many times in the last few weeks.  Thomas should see a lot of throws his direction.

Advantage: Broncos

Special Teams

The Raiders will be without punt returner Phillip Adams and Denarius Moore will take his place.  The Broncos have a very talented returner in Trindon Holliday, as he has returned a punt and a kickoff for TD's this year.  Both teams have great punters and kickers.

Advantage: Broncos


Prediction:  Broncos 30, Raiders 14

Record to Date; 7-5

Raiders vs. Browns Predictions

The Raiders head into this week on a four game losing streak and look to turn their fortunes around with a home game against the 3-8 Cleveland Browns.  The Browns have played better of late, winning 2 of their last four, beating the Chargers and Steelers, while losing in OT versus the Cowboys.  The Raiders will once again be without Darren McFadden and Richard Seymour.  Also, don't be surprised if you see the Raiders incorporate Terrelle Pryor into some packages as he will be active for the first time this year.  Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Browns Defense

The Raiders will once again rely heavily on contributions from Marcel Reece in the running and passing games as they have the last three games.  Carson Palmer and company will look to get things rolling early as I'm sure faster starts have been an emphasis this week in practice.  They have fell behind early in most of their games this year and have found themselves in a hole they just can't climb out of.  The Raiders feel like this is a game that is very winnable for them.  The Browns have not won on the road yet this year but have played good defense at times this year.  The problem with the Browns is much the problem with the Raiders and that is inconsistency.

Advantage: Raiders

Raiders Defense vs. Browns Offense

The Browns don't have many weapons that scare you, but they have a good rookie RB in Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden is wise beyond his rookie years.  At 29, he's not your typical rookie QB.  The Raiders lately have made every team they've played look like a Super Bowl contender.  Owner Mark Davis's patience is wearing thin and he has expressed his displeasure to Coach Allen saying the way they've been playing is "not good enough."  Many believe that Davis will give Allen and GM McKenzie more than just this year to figure things out, but his displeasure with the state of the team is worth noting.  The defense must find a way to make stops and play more as a unit.  Rolando McClain looks to be out the door, but no move has been made as of yet.  He has not practiced with the team all last week and his playing time has diminished.  Omar Gaither will take his place on the roster if he does not suit up today.

Advantage: Browns

Special Teams

The Browns have one of the most dangerous return-men in the NFL in Joshua Cribbs.  He has nearly a 30 yard/return average on kickoffs and 13 yard/return average on punts.  He's the all-time leader in kickoff returns for TD with 8 and has 11 total returns for TD.  Phil Dawson at age 37 is still a very reliable kicker without a missed FG or PAT all year.  SeaBass is turning in one of his best years as a pro with only one miss, a 64 yarder at the end of regulation.

Advantage: Browns


Prediction:   Raiders 30, Browns 27

Record to Date: 7-4