Oakland Raiders Keys To Success In 2009/2010

With the 2009 NFL regular season fast approaching, I wanted to take a look at our upcoming schedule and go over our keys to victory allowing us a winning season.

This year, it seems as though the (Un) Luck of the Raiders continues, just in a different fashion. This year we won't, or at least we shouldn't, be plagued by poor linemen play, mid season coaching changes, first year players forced to make impacts, poor media coverage or even controversial free agency pick ups. Yes, this year we actually look great on paper. The (Un) Luck that I'm speaking of this year is our strength of schedule.

Just when we look like we can actually contend with the big boys and show a ton of promise in most positions, we go and get one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. A schedule so tough, in fact, that it would make a 7 win season feel like a Super Bowl victory. A season that has us opening with 3 straight AFC West games, traveling to Dallas on Thanksgiving, following it up with another road game in Pittsburgh, then back home to face to Redskins. Finally, we will end the season at home against the Ravens.

I'm going to go over some of the games for this season and go over how I think we can put some more W's in the W/L column.

Week 1 - S.D @ Oakland

What a way to open the season. Under the lights, against the hated Chargers. This game will rely on a number of different things but none as important as how will we fare against the run? Can we shut down L.T and Sproles? We have a chance to jump out ahead of the predicted Super Bowl bound Chargers with a win in week 1. In order for us to win that game, we MUST keep the ground game under control and we must control our sacks -the next big factor for that game. Keeping Merriman and the rest of the Chargers D off of our QB's is crucial. I think that if we can run the ball and control the clock, we will have a chance to win the game as long as LT and Merriman are contained.

Key Match ups : Philip Rivers vs Our LB's / Tomlinson vs our DL/ Merriman vs our OLine

Keys to win : Stop the run/Protect QB/Control the clock

Jumping down the schedule I go to :

Week 4 - Oak @ Hou

This will be the first game of the season that actually showcases our corners ability to cover a great receiver. Asomugha on Andre Johnson will be a great match up. They need to take Johnson out of the game plan and force Slaton to win the game with his legs. If the Raiders can control the clock again and keep Slaton down, we have a great chance at winning this game. Just look out for "Super" Mario Williams.

Key Match ups : Nnamdi Asomugha vs Andre Johnson/ Mario Williams vs Offensive line.

Keys to win : Stop  A.Johnson/ Protect our QB/ Run the ball

We then head to :

Week 6 - Oak @ NYG

Same story here, it follows the trend of the majority of teams we play. Can we hold up against a brutal pass rush and keep our QB's upright? That's the key to winning this game. The Raiders need to stop the run and force Eli to win it through the air. Eli is known to make a few mistakes when pressured, and you can't afford to make many mistakes against the Raiders secondary.

Key Match ups : Eli vs our Secondary/ DE's vs our OT's

Keys to win : Force Eli to make mistakes / Protect QB

Now I'll move ahead to, what I like to call, "Murderer's Row"

Week 12 - Oak @ Dal

Be prepared for the blitz. We will need strong play making abilities from our QB's that game. Play smart, don't throw INT's.

Week 13 - Oak @ Pitt

This will be a second consecutive road trip to arguably two of the best teams in the league. This time we go into Pittsburgh, in the cold.  Again, watch the blitz, don't force the ball into coverage and shut down Ward.

Finishing the season with 4/6 road games and the final three coming from the AFC and our last game against the hard hitting Baltimore Ravens.

So, here are my overall keys to success:

1.) JaMarcus Russell - He MUST have a good season.

2.) Running game - We have to stay healthy to give us our best chance.

3.) Clock control - We must win this battle to keep our Defense from wearing out.

4.) Offensive line play - We MUST protect our QB

5.) Run Stopping - Keep our defense fresh late in games so things don't get out of hand.

Now, I am just as optimistic as the next fan and I bleed just as much silver as the next guy, but anything more than 7 wins this season will be a bonus.

I am just afraid that our season will go over looked and the critics are going to spew their hatred for the Raiders all over the place and lose sight of the fact that we had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.

One good thing to keep in mind :

A winning season this year will undoubtedly open the eyes of everyone around the league and finally silence the critics. Lets go Raiders. Let's shut them up this year.