It's a simple, time-honored phrase.
But for Oakland, and a season that has had nothing go right, this is what Oakland's resigned to do.
Play the spoiler.
Oakland, in their last six games, face several teams that are fighting to get into the playoffs. Denver, San Diego, Tampa Bay, New England are in the upper slice, while Houston and Kansas City are in the lower terms.
Oakland, to that degree, has had close games. Four of these, against Miami, Buffalo, Carolina, and San Diego, would have made the Raiders a 6-4 team. But of other reasons, they now sit out of the playoff picture.
So how does a team go about leading into the next year?
Making upsets worthwhile.
The game against Denver has obvious reasons. First of all, Denver train-wrecked Oakland's season in the opener, on national TV, and started the speculation that Davis wanted Kiffin out. Add in the history of these two clubs, that when they play, they seem to play at a higher level...and you have the settings for an upset.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Take last season, for example. Oakland, at 4-12, wasn't pretty, but they almost won at Invesco last year, and then at home, they spanked Denver by two touchdowns. The win, Oakland's last of the year, would effectively derail Cutler's appointment with the postseason.
Oakland now, again, can play spoiler. If they can win, it will slow them down, possibly opening up a chance for the Chargers to get closer...and granted, not liking either team, it would be fun to watch the veins on Shanahan's neck bulge when Cutler throws that beautiful interception to Gibril Wilson.
Things that Oakland now has in its favor, compared to earlier this season:
Oakland no longer has DeAngelo Hall, whom Eddie Royal ate for supper that night.
Oakland is getting Darren McFadden back in time...and Denver's defensive problems are still huge.
Oakland's no longer dealing with the Javon Walker issue, as he's now a spectator, and Ronald Curry is back...and Ronald loves playing in Denver.
Oakland's defense has been surprising as of late, even in losing causes. Picking off four passes by Jake Delhomme, and keeping Miami from breaking open the game last week, Oakland's defense seems to get stronger as the season goes along.
Denver's advantage on this game, is, first and foremost, home field. It's loud in Denver. I don't know if Hochuli is the slated ref...but as well, Kalimba Harris needs to get the job done...or he'll join DeAngelo Hall as a walking sandwich board on the street.
Denver also has Cutler's arm, that has shown mild improvement the last two weeks. He still has shaky games, but seems to get enough to win...will it be enough against Oakland?
Denver's newest running back, after watching several go out to the IR, will be an open question...could be good, could be bad....but all in all, should be a good game to watch.
Toss out your predictions, I'm going for Oakland, 24-20.
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about 1 month ago
You kill me with your predictions. Is your record the same as Oaklands? I would love to join Deangelo Hall has a walking sandwich board because apparently thats a saying for a leaving a terrible team and going to a very good team. Not to mention he already has an interception after just joining the team. I take Cutlers arm over Russel's 366 days of the year.
Is Hoculi the ref lol
The refereeing is so bad this year I think the NFL needs to just fire all their refs and promote some other because the NFL is losing all credibility.
Also the NFL needs to get rid of the tie. Never should happen in a Pro Sport, that crap is for high school.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading, Jarrod.
Actually, I wonder what would happen if Russell had some decent WRs to throw to. Walker was a joke and is now out, we lost Drew Carter in the preseason, and have had a time since Al likes to play with the coaching level...is there anything in the league rules about drafting a new owner and a new coach?
As for DeAngelo, let me ask you this. Why is it he had 3 picks by himself, but as soon as the Raiders dumped him, we got 4 in the first game without him? Might also ask if he was such a good product, why he was the 3rd worst defensive player in the NFL? Probably for the same reason people threw in his direction...he's not Nmandi.
As for Cutler, which one are we going to see, the one that got eaten by the Patriots, Chiefs, Jacksonville, or the one that played just enough to beat the Browns and Atlanta?
And ya, Hochuli, and about a dozen other Refs need to be unemployed after this season. I'd still love an explanation into why the league was so upset over the 11-10 game, was the league using Vegas money to pay the bills, or did Goodell lose a ton of money personally?
about 1 month ago
I honestly think Oakland and Denver are in very similar places actually. Think about it. Other than the problems in the brass of the organization, both teams have young rocket arm quarterbacks, superstar corners, and an overall young and scrappy squad with veterans at key positions. Problem is, Oakland just needs to get over that losing mentality, and darn it they would have a good football team. I think the spoiler role is more prevalent in baseball nowadays, but Oakland's team on paper sure as heck isn't that much worse than Denver. Although, Denver just seems to believe they can win, and Oakland can't quite figure it out.
from about 1 month ago
Were it so simple, Syare. Denver could turn the corner into a solid team in in short order with some upgrades at the Dline and LB squads. Its always hard to upgrade lines in short order, but they are relatively close.
Oakland has a few playmakers, but outside of kicking, zero performing units. Even giging RB a pass b/c of injuries, and noting that Ash is shutting down half the field, we are still weak at DB because of the other side, and need major work on the OL, DL, T, QB, and WR units. Thats too much uncertainity. A unit might improve (Quarterbacking, hopefully), but asking all of them to improve in a short time ... unlikely.
That would require some legendary coaching and epic drafting, which ... well ... about that ...
about 1 month ago
I still think the Broncos will win by two scores, maybe more :)
from about 1 month ago
thanks for reading Sayre.
Actually, you're right in them being close, considering Oakland has been in it, but been on the wrong side of the score in 4 games. If we had won those four, we'd be in second place, one game behind Denver.
But in this season, everyone has been snakebit. The Chargers have been hurt with losses to the defense and LT hasn't been LT, refs botching calls in Denver, both for and against them, the Raiders too many to count, wacky scoring finals, a tie game, and even a QB with no clue.
Actually, Oakland's Defense wants to win...the problem becomes obvious when they're dead tired at the end of the game, and can't stop the offense anymore.
I'd almost reccomend putting our defense out for the offense, some games....use Nmandi and Routt as WRs, get Wilson and Huff out as RBs, and then let Kirk Morrison be a FB. Swap out McFadden as a QB instead of a RB....would make for a few interesting looks. But then Al Davis would fire me for thinking outside of the box.
about 1 month ago
You've been reported, Rich.
You, and so far about 4 of your goons. Enjoy ignorance hell, fool.
about 1 month ago
Your right Card, they are very, very similar.
Considering the Raiders have arguably the worst offense in the NFL, (aside from your run game) an embarrassing defense, (besides against the pass) and an anchor in the front office. (and not the comforting, securing kind. I mean the type tied to your ankle dragging you to the bottom of the ocean.)
The Broncos on the other hand, have one of the best offenses in the league in points, and yards.
I am still skeptical about their defense, no doubt, considering that the Raiders have the defensive edge in a few aspects.
Not to mention their record being so similar. What with the Raiders sitting at a piss pour 2-8 and the Broncos leading the division. (The worst division in football, ill give you that.)
You talk a lot about how you could easily be sitting at 6-4 with those close games.
Close games don't mean a damn thing when you LOSE them.
Nice article, but as usual, your Bronco article writing is way too one sided aside from the comments about week one.
from about 1 month ago
Actually, if you look closer Josh, the Denver team isn't all that strong.
for being what, 7-4, they're actually still giving up more points than they've scored.
Where was the scoring against the Chiefs? Or the Patriots? A lot of it depends on when Cutler's offense decides to hang onto the ball, or for that matter, who is carrying the ball.
I'd like to see how this new kid operates, I didn't get a chance last week to watch the Broncos play, due to the Raider game was in the far end of the tavern.
As for the slant, what can I say? I'm a Raider. Some aspects of growing up in Bronco territory give me insight, but it's more to a scouting approach...I know the Broncos, their past quite well. But then, that's why I'm the historian of the family.
Useless trivia fact, the Raiders beat the Broncos twice in 3 weeks, in the regular season, in 1985, to both overtake them for the division title, but also knock them out of the playoffs, even after going 11-5. Why? Jets and Patriots owned the tiebreakers....The Raiders won both games with field goals, and the Raiders came back in the game at mile high, after being down by 14.
And both teams had turnover city problems.
about 1 month ago
35-9 Denver sorry man Oakland's just not a good team and I don't think it will be much longer and they will quit playing out the season
from about 1 month ago
possible. I think if it gets confirmed that Fassel is coming in, you'll see players and fans alike stop watching. Cable will look like a dead man walking....no, not like Al Davis.
about 1 month ago
Well, good call there RCA. Too bad you were right.
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