Oakland Raiders: How to Kill Ourselves As a Team

Well, after our win over the Jets, we did see some progress.

The only problem was, we then had to learn, that progress works best at home...and with realistic officiating.

JaMarcus Russell learned that if you stand in the pocket for too long in the end zone, you can get sacked. This is called a safety.

We also know that if the officials aren't going to call a delay of game on the home team, don't expect any help through the rest of the game.

We were handcuffed right from the start when I discovered that Darren McFadden was inactive for the game. This took out part of our running threat. It also set up for a long day by our defense, who you could tell was getting tired.

Add into the fact that on a kickoff return, the Ravens were able to capitalize on a punt, and the Ravens capitalized, with a 16 yard drive. If you can't go 16 yards and score a TD...go back to college...the NFL isn't for you.

The lone bright spot that came for Oakland was on a short yardage play, with the Raiders challenging the down at the one inch line. What's really odd, is on the replays for TV, the ref's head is right there, plain as day...and this joker didn't call it a touchdown.

Maybe they should fine him about $10,000 for a bad job.

Back to the officiating, when the TV shows 00 for time left, and the ball isn't snapped, that's a false start, right? You don't get a mulligan, or an extra second to decide, right?

Go look at the TiVo for the Touchdown the Ravens scored, in the first half, on the 70 plus yard bomb.

Yep, that's 00.

Instead, it's a touchdown. Why?

Lastly, let's butcher JaMarcus Russell. He can't seem to find a pattern of passing that suits him. He goes for a simple throw, and overthrows his own guys by about 20 yards.

Then, when trouble circles, he turns into Andrew Walter, standing in the pocket, looking lost.

If the pocket collapses, Russell....you run. You're a big boy, and you're allowed to run.

Lastly, if the pocket has collapsed, and you're out running...don't take a low percentage chance of completing a pass...go for the first down.

More and more as these games go along...I'm thinking Kiffin messed up the mindset in Russell.

Our Defense had a hard day's work, considering we had bad field position for most of the game.

This game reminded me of the 2006 season. We had a better defense, but not enough offense to win.

And i'm hoping this was a fluke, aided by Baltimore's slight bias in officials.

But, the bright side is this:

San Diego and Kansas City both lost...so no one moved up or down.