The Raiders are right back in the playoff hunt after an inspired win over the Texans last week in Houston. They currently stand in eighth place in the AFC, one game behind the Jets and Dolphins for the last playoff spot. The Titans, meanwhile, also are only one game out as they look to improve their playoff position. Those teams will clash today in Oakland in a meeting between two backup QB's. The Titans will start Ryan Fitzpatrick in place of the injured Jake Locker, who is out for the rest of the season. Matt McGloin will start his second straight game for the Raiders in favor of the banged-up Terrelle Pryor. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Titans Defense
The Raiders offensively have found a groove in the running game with Rashad Jennings over the last three weeks. Over that span, Jennings leads all NFL RB's in yards from scrimmage with 431. Last week, he gained 109 yards after contact, which is the most in a game this year for any running back in the NFL. They are also tied for the lead in the NFL with 15 runs over 20 yards and have the two longest runs from scrimmage with Pryor's 93 yard TD run and Jennings 80 yard TD run. Their offense has also got off to quick starts, especially at home, where they have averaged over 10 points in the first quarter, tops in the NFL. They also are tied for the most TD's on their opening drives with 5. They will be without WR Denarius Moore and RB Darren McFadden. The Titans rank 10th overall in yards allowed and 7th against the pass. Where they Raiders can take advantage is against the run, where the Titans rank 20th.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Titans Offense
The Raiders have been up and down defensively this year with good games followed by bad ones. One thing that has stayed pretty constant has been against the run. They currently are sixth in the league, giving up 97.6 yards/game. They also are good at getting 3-and-outs, forcing 39 on the season, second in the NFL. The Titans will rely on Chris Johnson for a majority of their offense and hope that Fitzpatrick doesn't make two many mistakes that put the defense in tough positions. They have given up two or more turnovers in all but one of their last 6 games. Defensive End Jason Hunter is out for the Raiders as is SS Tyvon Branch.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders are still looking for a big return on either punts or kickoffs, as are the Titans. The Titans kicker Rob Bironas has missed three FG's all year and all of them have been under 50 yards. He has yet to attempt one over 50. Janikowski has missed 5 FG's this year including one last week. Marquette King currently ranks third in the NFL in punting average at 48.7 yards/punt.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 26, Titans 23
Stat to Note: From 2003 to 2012, the Raiders have started 15 QB's and those QB's have a record of 49-111. Not one starter made it through all 16 games in a season. The Patriots, Colts, Giants, Packers and Saints started the fewest different quarterbacks, 18 combined and won seven of the last 10 Super Bowls.
Record to Date: 5-4
Raiders Offense vs. Titans Defense
The Raiders offensively have found a groove in the running game with Rashad Jennings over the last three weeks. Over that span, Jennings leads all NFL RB's in yards from scrimmage with 431. Last week, he gained 109 yards after contact, which is the most in a game this year for any running back in the NFL. They are also tied for the lead in the NFL with 15 runs over 20 yards and have the two longest runs from scrimmage with Pryor's 93 yard TD run and Jennings 80 yard TD run. Their offense has also got off to quick starts, especially at home, where they have averaged over 10 points in the first quarter, tops in the NFL. They also are tied for the most TD's on their opening drives with 5. They will be without WR Denarius Moore and RB Darren McFadden. The Titans rank 10th overall in yards allowed and 7th against the pass. Where they Raiders can take advantage is against the run, where the Titans rank 20th.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Titans Offense
The Raiders have been up and down defensively this year with good games followed by bad ones. One thing that has stayed pretty constant has been against the run. They currently are sixth in the league, giving up 97.6 yards/game. They also are good at getting 3-and-outs, forcing 39 on the season, second in the NFL. The Titans will rely on Chris Johnson for a majority of their offense and hope that Fitzpatrick doesn't make two many mistakes that put the defense in tough positions. They have given up two or more turnovers in all but one of their last 6 games. Defensive End Jason Hunter is out for the Raiders as is SS Tyvon Branch.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders are still looking for a big return on either punts or kickoffs, as are the Titans. The Titans kicker Rob Bironas has missed three FG's all year and all of them have been under 50 yards. He has yet to attempt one over 50. Janikowski has missed 5 FG's this year including one last week. Marquette King currently ranks third in the NFL in punting average at 48.7 yards/punt.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 26, Titans 23
Stat to Note: From 2003 to 2012, the Raiders have started 15 QB's and those QB's have a record of 49-111. Not one starter made it through all 16 games in a season. The Patriots, Colts, Giants, Packers and Saints started the fewest different quarterbacks, 18 combined and won seven of the last 10 Super Bowls.
Record to Date: 5-4
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