Multiple sources are indicating that Matt Flynn and not Terrelle Pryor will start today's game. Adam Schefter of ESPN and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports both said that word out of Oakland is that late last night the Raiders decided to sit Pryor and start Flynn for today's matchup versus the Washington Redskins. Glazer reported that Pryor showed signs of his concussion again last night and that prompted the change. Other sources such as the San Francisco Chronicle had said that Pryor will start. Looks as though it is a wait and see approach. Pryor could see playing time even if he does not start.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Raiders vs. Redskins Predictions
The Raiders head home after a difficult road trip to Denver to face the winless Washington Redskins. The focus all week out of Oakland has been the health of Terrelle Pryor. After numerous concussion tests and additional tests administered by the coaching staff, he has been cleared to play and will start. This looks to be an exciting matchup, pitting two of the more exciting QB's in the league in Pryor and Robert Griffin III. While RGIII has not looked fully healed from knee surgery, he is still a threat to deal with on defense. The Raiders hope to get back to .500 while the Redskins are just searching for a win. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Redskins Defense
The Raiders looked much improved in the passing game against Denver, but the running game really struggled. Look for them to focus more on the run and getting McFadden back on track against a porous Redskins defense. Washington has allowed every team they've faced to eclipse the 440 yard mark on offense and don't look for that to change in this one. Pryor has shown the ability to beat you with the pass or the run and has looked more polished at both as the season has gone along. Teams in the last two games have been focused on keeping Pryor contained in the pocket and he has responded with great efficiency, poise, and accuracy. McFadden looks to show that last week's low rushing total was an aberration and get off to a fast start. An interesting matchup to watch will be Denarius Moore vs. DeAngelo Hall. Both are small and quick and Moore had one of his best games last week against Denver.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Redskins Offense
The Raiders defense was torched last week, but most of that was a byproduct of Manning being able to spot coverage mismatches. Don't expect RGIII to be as adept at exposing a defense. The Redskins have a good running game with Alfred Morris and RGIII, who can still be a threat outside the pocket if you allow him to be. They have also eclipsed the 300 yard mark in each game passing, with most of the yards coming as a result of playing from behind. Look for the Raiders to get their first INT of the season and pad their turnover stats with RGIII having already thrown 4 INTs and fumbled 4 times. The Raiders will be without DE Jason Hunter, so Brian Sanford will start in his place. Tyvon Branch will still be out with the injured ankle, with Usama Young and Brandian Ross splitting time in his place.
Advantage: Redskins
Special Teams
The return game for the Raiders has not produced much results early on, but Jacoby Ford has world-class speed and is always a threat to return a kickoff for a TD. Janikowski did not attempt a field goal last week, even though he was anxious to try one from 68 at the end of the half. Marquette King has been up and down on punts, but still leads the NFL in punting average. Redskins kickers have struggled this year with seasoned veteran Rocca averaging 41.6/punt and two kickers combining for 2 of 4 on FGs.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 24, Redskins 21
Record to date: 2-0
Currently on a 6 game winning streak dating back to last year.
Raiders Offense vs. Redskins Defense
The Raiders looked much improved in the passing game against Denver, but the running game really struggled. Look for them to focus more on the run and getting McFadden back on track against a porous Redskins defense. Washington has allowed every team they've faced to eclipse the 440 yard mark on offense and don't look for that to change in this one. Pryor has shown the ability to beat you with the pass or the run and has looked more polished at both as the season has gone along. Teams in the last two games have been focused on keeping Pryor contained in the pocket and he has responded with great efficiency, poise, and accuracy. McFadden looks to show that last week's low rushing total was an aberration and get off to a fast start. An interesting matchup to watch will be Denarius Moore vs. DeAngelo Hall. Both are small and quick and Moore had one of his best games last week against Denver.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Redskins Offense
The Raiders defense was torched last week, but most of that was a byproduct of Manning being able to spot coverage mismatches. Don't expect RGIII to be as adept at exposing a defense. The Redskins have a good running game with Alfred Morris and RGIII, who can still be a threat outside the pocket if you allow him to be. They have also eclipsed the 300 yard mark in each game passing, with most of the yards coming as a result of playing from behind. Look for the Raiders to get their first INT of the season and pad their turnover stats with RGIII having already thrown 4 INTs and fumbled 4 times. The Raiders will be without DE Jason Hunter, so Brian Sanford will start in his place. Tyvon Branch will still be out with the injured ankle, with Usama Young and Brandian Ross splitting time in his place.
Advantage: Redskins
Special Teams
The return game for the Raiders has not produced much results early on, but Jacoby Ford has world-class speed and is always a threat to return a kickoff for a TD. Janikowski did not attempt a field goal last week, even though he was anxious to try one from 68 at the end of the half. Marquette King has been up and down on punts, but still leads the NFL in punting average. Redskins kickers have struggled this year with seasoned veteran Rocca averaging 41.6/punt and two kickers combining for 2 of 4 on FGs.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 24, Redskins 21
Record to date: 2-0
Currently on a 6 game winning streak dating back to last year.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Raiders vs. Broncos Predictions
As Week 3 comes to a close in the NFL, we look at the final matchup of the week: the Oakland Raiders vs. the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are feeling good about their offense as they lead the NFL in scoring after blowing out the Ravens and the Giants, the past two Super Bowl winners. The Raiders look better than most people expected them to, with a defense in the top 5 in points allowed, total yards allowed, sacks and passing yards allowed. All this while starting nine new players on defense. The only players to start in last year's meetings against the Broncos are Tyvon Branch and Lamar Houston. Tyvon Branch is out with a broken bone in his ankle. So that means only Houston will suit up and play from the team that lost both meetings last year. The Raiders will also present a new challenge this year on offense with the play of QB Terrelle Pryor. That means a lot of uncertainty heading into this one. Let's look at the matchups and try to figure it all out.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders come into the game with the #1 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 200 yards/game on the ground. The success they've seen so far has been a result of a switch back to the power-blocking scheme, one that suits McFadden well, and the running ability of Pryor. The threat of Pryor has opened up big holes in the running game for Run DMC and company as defenses have had to watch for Pryor on the the read-option plays. Expect Denver to more prepared than most for the read-option, as you recall they had to implement it when they went with Tebow at QB. This matchup will be mostly decided on Pryor's ability to make the right reads and decisions and for McFadden to have a big night running the football.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders success on defense this year has been a result of getting pressure on the QB from everywhere on the field (Five of their nine sacks are from DBs) and all eleven men flying to the football. This is a team that is built around veterans on one-year contracts that are playing for their jobs for next season, and early on, it has showed. While they have been impressive, they have not played a team like the Broncos yet. Manning is a master at reading blitzes, so it will be a challenge for the Raiders coaches to disguise where the pressures will come from. Manning will have a new tackle guarding his blind side, so look for more double tight end sets and Knowshon Moreno to be in on passing downs to help block. This will hurt the ability to have Wes Welker on the field in three wide-out sets. Look for adjustments aplenty in this game as each side will try and match their strengths to the other team's weakness.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Broncos have a special returner in Holliday, who can go the distance at any time. The Raiders have shown some flashes of big return ability, but have not had any returns really affect the outcomes of games. Jacoby Ford is capable of return a kickoff for a TD with three in his career. Janikowski is looking for consistency from his holder King, as he has missed two FG's already this year from under 50 yards. They have tried out Flynn this week at holder but will stick with King for the foreseeable future.
Advantage: Broncos
Prediction: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Record last year: 11-5
Record to Date: 1-0
Currently on a five game winning streak dating back to last year.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders come into the game with the #1 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 200 yards/game on the ground. The success they've seen so far has been a result of a switch back to the power-blocking scheme, one that suits McFadden well, and the running ability of Pryor. The threat of Pryor has opened up big holes in the running game for Run DMC and company as defenses have had to watch for Pryor on the the read-option plays. Expect Denver to more prepared than most for the read-option, as you recall they had to implement it when they went with Tebow at QB. This matchup will be mostly decided on Pryor's ability to make the right reads and decisions and for McFadden to have a big night running the football.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders success on defense this year has been a result of getting pressure on the QB from everywhere on the field (Five of their nine sacks are from DBs) and all eleven men flying to the football. This is a team that is built around veterans on one-year contracts that are playing for their jobs for next season, and early on, it has showed. While they have been impressive, they have not played a team like the Broncos yet. Manning is a master at reading blitzes, so it will be a challenge for the Raiders coaches to disguise where the pressures will come from. Manning will have a new tackle guarding his blind side, so look for more double tight end sets and Knowshon Moreno to be in on passing downs to help block. This will hurt the ability to have Wes Welker on the field in three wide-out sets. Look for adjustments aplenty in this game as each side will try and match their strengths to the other team's weakness.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Broncos have a special returner in Holliday, who can go the distance at any time. The Raiders have shown some flashes of big return ability, but have not had any returns really affect the outcomes of games. Jacoby Ford is capable of return a kickoff for a TD with three in his career. Janikowski is looking for consistency from his holder King, as he has missed two FG's already this year from under 50 yards. They have tried out Flynn this week at holder but will stick with King for the foreseeable future.
Advantage: Broncos
Prediction: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Record last year: 11-5
Record to Date: 1-0
Currently on a five game winning streak dating back to last year.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Raiders vs. Jaguars Predictions
Welcome back football fans as I make my first prediction of the year after being gone on vacation last week to Charleston, South Carolina. The Raiders look to gain momentum from positive signs of improvement in last week's loss versus the Colts on the road. Pryor and Co. nearly pulled off the upset but will look to rebound at home against a Jaguars team that could only muster a safety at home last week against the Chiefs. Out is Gabbert with a hand laceration and in will be Henne, the QB they played against in last year's overtime win. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Jaguars Defense
Most of the emphasis of this matchup will be focused on Terrelle Pryor and Paul Posluszny. Posluszny will be charged with making sure Pryor doesn't make big plays from improvisation, something the Colts couldn't prevent from happening. Pryor comes into the game as the AFC's leading rusher with 112 yards. Look for the Raiders to put more emphasis on giving McFadden more touches and help him get in the flow of the game more.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Jaguars Offense
The Raiders look good on defense for most of the game, but what killed them was the first two drives of the game and the last drive of the game all resulting in TD's for the Colts. They look to build on pressure they got with the front four, resulting in 4 sacks of Andrew Luck. The Jaguars will start Chad Henne, who has mixed results in limited starts in his short career. He played well last year in Oakland, almost coming away with a victory. Maurice Jones-Drew will try and get the offense of to a quick start as they most assuredly will look to the running game to pace the offense with limited weapons in the receiving corps.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders are starting a new punter this year in Marquette King who has shown flashes of potential with his powerful leg, averaging 50.5 yards/punt so far this year. His test will come in how he handles being a holder for Janikowski, who missed his first FG under 50 yards in over a year last week. Jacoby Ford is back and healthy and can break one and go all the way on kickoffs. Jacksonville has good kickers in Josh Scobee and Bryan Anger. Return game is still in question about who will step up.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 20, Jaguars 14
Raiders Offense vs. Jaguars Defense
Most of the emphasis of this matchup will be focused on Terrelle Pryor and Paul Posluszny. Posluszny will be charged with making sure Pryor doesn't make big plays from improvisation, something the Colts couldn't prevent from happening. Pryor comes into the game as the AFC's leading rusher with 112 yards. Look for the Raiders to put more emphasis on giving McFadden more touches and help him get in the flow of the game more.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Jaguars Offense
The Raiders look good on defense for most of the game, but what killed them was the first two drives of the game and the last drive of the game all resulting in TD's for the Colts. They look to build on pressure they got with the front four, resulting in 4 sacks of Andrew Luck. The Jaguars will start Chad Henne, who has mixed results in limited starts in his short career. He played well last year in Oakland, almost coming away with a victory. Maurice Jones-Drew will try and get the offense of to a quick start as they most assuredly will look to the running game to pace the offense with limited weapons in the receiving corps.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders are starting a new punter this year in Marquette King who has shown flashes of potential with his powerful leg, averaging 50.5 yards/punt so far this year. His test will come in how he handles being a holder for Janikowski, who missed his first FG under 50 yards in over a year last week. Jacoby Ford is back and healthy and can break one and go all the way on kickoffs. Jacksonville has good kickers in Josh Scobee and Bryan Anger. Return game is still in question about who will step up.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 20, Jaguars 14
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