Oakland Raiders Vs Carolina Panthers: Home Game or Bye Week?

Back at the beginning of the year, this was slated to be the easy part of the schedule.

Ah, but do things ever follow plans? No.

Kiffin's gone, DeAngelo Hall is gone. Darren McFadden is still hobbled by a turf toe, and I heard JaMarcus Russell is nursing an injury as well. Does not exactly inspire a team's chances to win, does it?

Oddly, that's exactly what Cable's thoughts are. Going out, and winning one at home.

You have to give him credit for trying to stay positive. he pulls it off better than McCain, but at the same time, you have to wonder is there something he knows?

Oakland, sitting at 2-6, is right now hoping to finish the season with some form of team unity, and something to build on for next year. Perhaps they could take a page from the Panthers playbook.

Last year the Panthers, who were missing Jake Delhomme for all but 3 games, finished at 7-9. With him back at full strength this year, they are 6-2, and coming off a bye week.

On paper, this should be a wholesale slaughter.

Stranger things have happened in Oakland though.

First of all, this is the same club, that upset the Jets.

Had close games with the Bills and Chargers.

Some weeks, it's Dr Jeckyll, some weeks, it's Mr Hyde.

I may watch it, just to see if the Raiders can pull a shocker off.

I'd say if getting rid of DeAngelo Hall wakes up the Raiders Defenses, Jake may have problems finding Steve Smith open, or even more, have a problem standing up in Oakland.