Can The Oakland Raiders Go 10-6, Part 4

Over the next few days, I'm going to take a look at the Raiders' schedule and show how the Raiders and their opponents match up. You may be surprised at how well they stack up against some of these opponents.

This is part four of four, and I will cover four games at a time.

Through the first twelve games of the season, the Raiders stand at 9-3, primed for a their first playoff run in five years. The last four weeks of the season, however, have four opponents that should pit this team against playoff-worthy opponents, starting against the San Diego Chargers on the road, continuing at home against the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans, and finishing the season at Tampa Bay.

Week 14: Raiders at Chargers, Thursday Night Football

Last Meeting: Chargers win 24-17, in Oakland*

If the Raiders are indeed a wild card team, this is the game to prove it. Coming off two straight wins against the Broncos and Chiefs, the Raiders head into this game with only four days of rest since the Chiefs game.

The problem? Lately it seems the Chargers have taken to getting better as the season goes on. And the Falcons were their last opponent and most likely their last brutally abused victim. And the primetime lights should make this game pretty interesting.

I'm thinking the Raiders' rushing attack makes this game a little easier for Russell to manage. I'm also guessing that Russell isn't going to be babied as much and play calling will allow him to do a little more with that rocket launcher they call his right arm. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how his development is going throughout the season.

And I think Russell's play is the key to beating the Chargers because if the Raiders fall behind he will be depended on to win the game. I think the Raiders will fight for this one, but will be thinking wild card (the Chargers should have a better record by at least one game because their schedule is so much easier and their team is proven),San Diego will be thinking home field, especially if they meet up with the Patriots again.

For that reason alone, I think the Chargers will want it more and pull out the win.

Final: Chargers win 27-24.

Week 15 Patriots at Raiders

Last Meeting: Patriots win 30-20 in New England, 2005

This game will be about one person and one person only: Randy Moss and his return to Oakland. If the Raiders stand at 9-4, as I have them at this point in the season, the storylines will be wild. One thing will be guaranteed no matter what the records of either team: Moss will be abused by the Raider Nation.

That said, I can't know how that will affect his performance, whether it rattles him (not likely) or if it motivates him to do his Superman-stuff (more likely). Tom Brady isn't one to be distracted by that and the Patriots offense remains intact with the exception of Donte Stallworth who was essentially a non-factor.

The Patriots' offense shouldn't have much trouble moving the ball because, like the Giants showed, blitzing is really the only way to take them down and the Raiders don't blitz.

The defense, on the other hand, took some major hits, mostly in the secondary. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay are gone as is safety Eugene Wilson. The linebackers are a mix of old vets and rookie newcomers.

Among these are Jerod Mayo and Shawn Crable, the Patriots' first and third round picks, respectively. The defensive line is still fearsome, led by Richard Seymour and the highly versatile Adalius Thomas.

I think the Raiders might be able to score by passing a little more often and gaining some tough yards on the ground but, not enough to outscore the Pats' offense.

Final: Patriots win 38-21

Week 16: Texans at Raiders

Last meeting: Texans win 24-17 in Oakland, 2007

Is this the year the Raider finally beat the Houston Broncos...I mean Texans? Looking at the Texans' offseason moves I'd say it's likely.

The Texans have good pieces on offense and defense but they are still an incomplete team. On offense, they found their quarterback in Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson is a legit playmaker at WR, and Ahman Green is an effective RB.

Only problem there is the injury bug which hit all three of them last year. And there's no way of knowing whether or not they'll be fit to play this late in the season health-wise. But they have good depth behind them as Sage Rosenfelds and Ron Dayne proved last year.

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