Well, for most of the NFL, this game won't be worth watching. But those who do migrate to the black hole, they should see quite a slugfest.
First things first. We know Brett Favre is there, with the Jets. We also know, that the last time Favre played, his team lit up the Raiders, big time.
A couple problems there, putting these two games together. This isn't in Lambeau, where the Raiders couldn't buy a break. And this isn't the Packers, who last year came within a game of the Super Bowl.
Fast forward, Oakland has a couple things going for them. First of all, our running team is back together again. Last week we got to take Justin Fargas back off the shelf. Darren McFadden is looking better. And Bush would love to take a few shots at the Jets Defense.
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Secondly, Favre has been a bit erratic. He can light up the Cards....but against what should have been a pushover Bengals team, he struggled.
Thirdly....It's in Oakland....a lot more friendly than an icebox in the middle of the tundra.
Last year, Kiffin in his fear, wouldn't play Russell, because he didn't think the kid could play well in colder temps. What was he going to do, carry an extra QB all season long, just for cold conditions?
QBs need to learn, develop, and mature. As for Oakland, they need to pressure Favre early and often. He's a risk-taker, and if he's out lobbing it, take advantage of that.
And lastly, Oakland's been doing better in keeping the pocket open. If Oakland can bring a complete game Sunday, we could see the Raiders sneak back into the AFC West Race.
After all, nobody else wants to pull away with it.
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2 months ago
I love them Raiders but damn they suck and should get a great draft pick five years in a row welcome to reality.
2 months ago
you are kidding right? the raiders are terrible. Jets run D is 3rd - their weakness is in stopping the pass, which Russell cannot seem to do. Also Jets seem sack happy and will pressure Russell. Tied for 2nd in league with 18 drops. Raiders could have success if the running game gets going, but the only chance of that happening is if NT Jenkins gets knocked out early.
this likely will be a blowout.
31 - 10
from 2 months ago
John, odd question, and go ahead and re-read the article a second time.
If the Jets are doing so well, why did they struggle against the Bengals? No, the Bengals aren't exactly the Cowboys, but at the same timee, the Bengals aren't known for being a stonewall on defense.
Drop factor won't be an issue, if the Raiders specialize in running the ball...you can't exactly be dropping a pass, if it's being handed off, right?
2 months ago
we could see the Raiders sneak back into the AFC West race?! HAHAHHAHAHA!!! You are dreaming
from 2 months ago
Funny, we also didn't think we'd see Denver get beat at home by the Jags, either, right?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That was classic!
But you know, you're right....Cutler looked just like Elway.
Losing early in his career.
from 2 months ago
Hey Mike.
We're sneaking back in. Keep losing.
2 months ago
Good writing, RCA. The season is young and, yes, the Raiders can still win the AFC West. Basically there is no margin for error, though. There are 2 teams in front of us in the division and both of them have beaten us at home. The Raiders need to start and keep winning, though. In order to win this division, the Raiders need to go 8-2 with none of those losses in the division. Other than that, it won't happen.
from 2 months ago
Understandable, EndZoner.
The biggest task, is going to be hitting the Chargers, before LT goes back up to full power, and exploiting the Broncos, now that we know their weaknesses....and ours as well.
The Chiefs got to Denver, so did the Jags. If the Pats win on Monday, we'll know more, too. The AFC isn't a runaway this year, with teams fighting for 3-3 to get a wild card.
from 2 months ago
San Diego's offense does not scare me like "they" like to scare most people out there. The secret to beating this team is to have your offense keep their offense off the field. sustain snd finish drives to touchdowns. Our TD was a 1 play quick strike, which is great, but no long, sustained, defense-resting drives. Limit their posessions by shortening the game and we can beat this team. Stopping Denver, on the other hand...
2 months ago
I want to win this game and I think we will. But God Damn, this is some good writing, nice job. you guys have got to get rid of Al Davis. this is a team dripping with talent and held back by the owner!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Bruce. I think this has been the most vocal to date call for Al to step down. Personally, I see three things happening. Al has a coronary due to a horrible season, and dies, Al finally listens to reason, maybe from his family, and quits....or the Raiders form up, win, and then pushes Al out, since he wants to go out on top.
Hey, if the Cleveland Indians could do it in Major League, why not football? Other than the fact it's hollywood's magic at work?
2 months ago
Interesting read RCA, but getting back into the race would be illusionary and temporary at best for this squad.
Russell has a lot of growing up to do, this game could be where he gets started on it.
from 2 months ago
Actually JC, I'd look at it as the best case right now. Getting to 8-8 would be realistic, 6-10 probable, and 4-12 a disaster.
I know the haters would love a 4-12, or a 2-14, to rub it in, but with this team, I still believe in the Any Given Sunday train of thought. With this team, you can win, given the factors, the odds.
Right now, a team with 3 wins, is in control of the wild card. There's 5 teams at 3-2 or 3-3. and then 3 clubs at 2 wins. That makes 8 clubs, between us and a wild card. Not all 8 will be able to win, obviously, but at the same time, the entire AFC west has another game to play with each other in the division. By the time those games come along, you'll either see teams locking up playoff berths, or, knocking other teams out of the picture.
I can see the Raiders playing spoiler, and if they can find a good groove, taking a back way in. After all, a few people who would remain nameless, thought that the Texans and the Browns would both be in the playoffs this year....and obviously, that didn't pan out.
from 2 months ago
Sure it would be nice, but unfortunately I don't think it's likely.
We can look for 3-5 wins max the balance of the season. As painful as it is, I'd rather lose a lot and have better draft standing than miss the playoffs by a game or two.
Also, Al just doesn't deserve any post season honors with all his machinations this year. Sadly, we need to look to the future, and I'm not talking the next couple of months.
Lastly, the haters be damned. I don't care a rodent's backside for them. My concern is for the Raiders and their best interests overall. If we win only a couple more games, so be it. Those pagans can dance around the fire with the drums and yelling - it will hurt them only more when we come back and dominate in true Raider fashion.
from 2 months ago
JC, the only problem with Al, is he may say he cares about the Raiders. He's willing to shell out money that makes the 49ers gawk at the contract size. But the problem is, in his mind, no matter who he signs, is going to turn into the next Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett, or Rich Gannon.
Add into the fact, that playoffs or not for this club, Al Davis is Al Davis. He won't resign if the season is scrapped, and every player walked off the field. He'd go find enough players in the scrap heap, who are willing to work, and could care less about millions, than just the chance to go put on a uniform one more time. If you're going to beat Al Davis, you have to beat him, by his rules. And right now, there's either two ways he goes. One is winning, and one is him in a casket.
Which do you see as being a more logical option?
from 2 months ago
Al deserves great respect for what he has done in this game. The 60's - early 80's he dominated. Those days are gone, the on field methods have changed. Only Al hasn't and will continue to lose until he changes (not very likely) or he passes on.
I'm not rooting for him to die, but the Raiders will be stuck in the past - including their strategy - until he does. It's sad, but is what it is.
Remember the last few decades of Bears football under George Halas. From the mid 60's on, the Bears were constant losers. So much of that goes to Halas and his way of doing things in spite of having players like Butkis, Sayers and Payton. It wasn't until things changed off the field that things could change on the field.
Right now, it's too easy for a competent team to beat the Raiders. They were moving forward under Kiffen, then Al shot that all to hell. Do you think Cable will be running the team next year? I sure don't.
I hope they can beat the Jets, but if Favre plays a decent game the Raiders will get picked apart slowly and lose by double digits. If they fall behind early and are forced to pass, it will get real ugly.
2 months ago
New York Jets at Oakland Raiders is a surewin of 6.55% at Sports Arbitrage union.The last time
Brett Favre played in Oakland, he was wearing a different uniform and grieving the death of his father.Five years later, Favre returns as a member of the New York Jets to face the Raiders on Sunday for the first time since one of his most dominant andemotional performances.
http://arbitrageunion.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-york-jets-at-oakland-raiders-is.html
2 months ago
New York Jets at Oakland Raiders is a surewin of 6.55% at Sports Arbitrage union.The last time
Brett Favre played in Oakland, he was wearing a different uniform and grieving the death of his father.Five years later, Favre returns as a member of the New York Jets to face the Raiders on Sunday for the first time since one of his most dominant andemotional performances.
http://arbitrageunion.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-york-jets-at-oakland-raiders-is.html
from 2 months ago
If I remember, Favre also was 8-0 in those games, either oakland or LA.
About the only difference, between then and now, is that Favre isn't in Green Bay, anymore.
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