Fearless Game-by-Game Predictions for the 2009 Oakland Raiders Season

Week 1 Chargers

The silver and black opens the season with a 34-13 loss on Monday night. The defensive backs do a great job containing Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson, but LT and Darren Sproles combine for 222 yards on the ground and three TDs. JaMarcus is sacked three times, but connects with Darren McFadden (DMac) for a 52-yard catch and run TD. Record 0-1

Week 2 at Chiefs

The Raiders offense comes alive during this 31-17 win, and generates over 400 total yards, 220 of it rushing. DMac has two rushing TDs, and Michael Bush adds a third. Darrius Heyward-Bey (DHB) catches a 30-yard TD late in the game as the Chiefs’ defense crowds the line to stop the run. Glenn Dorsey looks awful, with only one tackle. Thank goodness he’s not a Raider. Record 1-1

Week 3 Broncos

The Raiders squeak by 16-14 in a closely fought contest. The Raiders move the chains well, but commit 10 penalties, four of which stall promising drives. A JaMarcus fumble leads to one Bronco score, and the Raiders defense is caught flatfooted on an Eddie Royal reverse that goes 40 yards for a TD. Janikowski kicks three field goals, including the game winner with 2:48 remaining. Chaz sees limited action, and hauls in one catch. Record 2-1.

Week 4 at Texans

The Raiders lose a game that was never close 27-14. The Texans capitalize on early Raiders mistakes that include a tipped-pass interception return for a TD by rookie LB Brian Cushing, and a fumble return for a TD by rookie DE Conner Barwin. The Raiders look good except for the turnovers, even holding the edge in time of possession, and DMac throws a TD pass to Louis Murphy. Khalif Barnes splits time with Cornell Green at RT. Record 2-2.

Week 5 at Giants

Holy Toledo, the Raiders pull a huge upset win at the Meadowlands 27-24, in what will be later termed the Chaz Schilens show! Chaz hauls in 12 passes for 188 yards and two TDs. Greg Ellis and Tommy Kelley knock Eli Manning from the game with a sandwich slam halfway through the first quarter, and backup David Carr can’t connect with his receivers. The Raiders’ D stretches but doesn’t break, despite Brandon Jacobs rumbling for 152 yards on 28 carries. Tyvon Branch picks off a pass in the end zone as time expires to preserve the win. Record 3-2

Week 6 Eagles

Ouch! The silver and black lose 27-14, and surrender 500 yards in total offense. Interceptions by Thomas Howard and Chris Johnson keep the score somewhat respectable. Michael Vick, filing in for previously injured Donovan McNabb, throws for 280 yards and three TDs, and runs for 90 yards. Zach Miller catches his first TD of the year. DMac runs for 150 yards on 16 carries, including an 80-yard TD scamper. Record 3-3

Week 7 Jets

The Raiders make it look easy, winning 31-13. Rookie Mark Sanchez continues to struggle at QB, and the Jets commit four turnovers that lead to 21 Raiders points. Jets running backs are held to 88 yards rushing on 24 carries, and the Raiders register a season high four sacks. A devastating Mike Mitchell hit on RB Thomas Jones results in his first NFL knockout. Record 4-3

Week 8 at Chargers

The Raiders lay an egg, losing their 13th straight game to the Bolts 41-10. Shawne Merriman registers two sacks and four tackles for losses. LT rushes for two TDs and passes to Antonio Gates for another score. Gradkowski fills in for a shaken up JaMarcus, and completes a TD pass late in the game to Javon Walker. Slade Norris suits up but doesn’t play. The Raiders go into their bye week looking to regroup. Record 4-4

Week 10 Chiefs

The well rested Raiders team take out their frustrations on the lowly Chiefs 21-7. Their defense looks great in holding the Chiefs to 190 total yards, with 78 of those on the ground. Tyler Thigpen, the third starting QB for the Chiefs this season, is sacked five times, including two each by Greg Ellis and Tommy Kelley, but connects on a late TD pass to Dwayne Bowe. Record 5-4

Week 11 Bengals

OchoCinco and company come to town after suffering three consecutive losses to the Bears, Ravens and Steelers. They hope to turn it around against the Raiders, but instead come away with their fourth straight loss, 24-10. JaMarcus has his best day as a pro, completing 22 of 28 passes for 324 yards, with TD passes to Johnny Lee Higgins and Chaz. Michael Bush also busts loose up the middle for a 48-yard TD. The left side of the O-line looks great, with Henderson, Gallery and Morris playing a seemingly flawless game. Record 6-4.

Week 12 at Cowboys

The Raiders fail to score a TD in an abysmal 28-3 loss at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys seem to get all of the breaks, and were helped by 14 Raider penalties for 120 yards, 4 turnovers and 3 sacks. Gradkowski spells a shaken up JaMarcus at the end of the third quarter, with the Cowboys leading 28 - 0. Slade Norris registers three solo tackles, and Mike Mitchell has a bone jarring collision with Marion Barber, resulting in both players leaving the field of play. Record 6-5

Week 13 at Steelers

The steel machine is running on all cylinders during their 28-7 victory at Heinz Field. Rachard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore shred the Raiders D for 240 yards rushing and Big Ben completes 16 of 23 completions for 210 yards. The Raiders lone TD comes via a JaMarcus – Zach Miller 11-yard hook-up. Record 6-6

Week 14 Redskins

The Redskins come into the Coliseum following consecutive wins over the Eagles and Saints, and win a shoot-out over the Raiders 31-27. Albert Haynesworth continues to wreck havoc with offensive game plans, posting five tackles and a sack, and clogging up rushing lanes. JaMarcus finds some success with the team’s new rolling pocket blocking scheme, connecting for TDs to DHB and Chaz. Two other TDs were called back due to holding calls on the O-line. Johnny Lee Higgins also scores on a 72-yard punt return, but unfortunately Rock Cartwell returns the ensuing kickoff 102 yards the other way for a TD. Record 6-7

Week 15 at Broncos

The Raiders win a squeaker 10-9, when Janikowski converts a 36-yard field goal as time expires. The game is played in freezing rain and swirling winds at Invesco Field, and features four fumbles by each team. The Raiders lone TD comes when Nnamdi Asomugha covers a Bronco fumble in the end zone. Side note - it is reported that owner Al Davis did not make the trip to Denver due to an infected toe (and he also misses the next two games). The Raiders, two games behind the Chargers, are in the hunt for the wild card. Record 7-7

Week 16 at Browns

The Raiders lose to the lowly Browns 17-13, but make sports highlight reels with yet another controversial call. Late in the fourth quarter with the Raiders leading 13-10, a hockey puck is thrown from the Dawg Pound and strikes Johnny Lee Higgins in the helmet as he is fielding a punt near the goal line, causing him to fumble the ball away. Cable challenges the play, and upon further review the Zebras allow the Browns to retain the ball, and to our utter amazement penalize the Raiders half the distance to the goal for “illegal touching”? Two plays later third string RB Noah Herron runs six yards for the winning touchdown. On the bright side, DMac rushes for 158 yards and a TD, surpasses 1000 yards rushing for the season, with 1400+ all-purpose yards. Wild card hopes are fading, but still alive. Record 7-8

Week 17 Ravens

The Raiders need a win, along with a Dolphins loss to secure a wild card berth in the playoffs. The Raider Nation's hopes are shattered by a 16-6 loss to the Ravens. Joe Flacco builds on his strong season, completing 12 of 17 passes for 180 yards and a TD. The Raiders have a TD reception by Chaz nullified by an offensive holding penalty, along with eleven other penalties. JaMarcus has a rough day, with three sacks, one for a safety, and seven knockdowns. Final record 7-9.

Summary

For the first time since 2002 the Raiders win more than five games, their zone-blocking scheme improves, and many of their young players are coming along nicely. The Raiders send three players to the Pro Bowl, Nnamdi Asomugha, Shane Lechler and DMac, who gets in as an injury substitute.

RAIDER NATION, ARE YOU NOW READY FOR SOME REAL FOOTBALL?