The Carolina Panthers Vs the Oakland Raiders: Trap Game or Blow Out?

The Carolina Panthers face a turbulent Oakland Raiders team this Sunday and many have already placed a "W" in the Panthers' win column, but there is one bit of business that needs to take place first. 

Remember, there are 60 minutes of football that has to be played before anyone is awarded a win. 

With that in mind, is there any way Carolina could overlook the Raiders? Not likely, especially after a bye week.

However, the Panthers have created somewhat of a certain pattern surrounding their wins this season. In subsequent games, the Panthers have won two games and lost one, then repeating the same pattern in their next three matchups. Their last game marked the end of the win two in a row phase of that equation, and they could break the loss cycle with a victory in Oakland.

On paper, where games are never played, the Panthers should probably only lose two more games this entire season and that would leave them with a 12-4 record. But remember, in today's NFL any team can lose to any other team if the timing and circumstances are just right.

Just ask the New York Jets about the Raiders, and talk to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about the scare the Kansas City Chiefs gave them last week.

Is this the Panther's year? It could be, but the jury is still out, however, the early returns have totally been in Carolina's favor, as they were winners or very competitive in all but one of their games this season.

Could the NFC's second ranked Carolina Panthers actually drop this game to the desperate Raiders?  Well, the Raiders actually bettered themselves this past week with the release of DeAngelo Hall.  If the game was played on paper there would be no reason for the Panthers to leave a beautiful Charlotte weekend to go out and smother one of the NFL's worst teams.

The Raider's offense is ranked dead last in points scored and have the second lowest ranked passing attack in the NFL.  This bodes well for the rested Panthers, but the Raiders do have the league's eight ranked rushing attack.  That is where the game could get interesting. 

The Raiders top pick, Darren McFadden is listed as questionable for this weeknd's game but the very capable Justin Fargas is ready to go. 

Look for Carolina to pull one extra defender from their regular pass coverage package or at least have one corner "cheat" toward the run unlike they have done so far this season. 

They will play almost every down as if it is a run play.  Face it, the Panthers will "stack the box."  In the event that McFadden does show up ready to play along with Fargas and they were both able to have some early success this Sunday, it could actually open up the play action pass for JaMarcus Russell. 

The problem is, Russell has no real downfield targets to throw to. Tight End, Zach Miller is the Raiders' top target and even though he has had some success this season, there is little chance he will burn the Panthers with an 80-yard touchdown scamper.  

If the Panthers can post a strong enough run defense and have just an average day turned in by DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith, they should easily win this game.

Even though Jonathan Stewart may be out this weekend or play little due to an injured heel, the Raiders defense is well suited for William's slashing run style. So, there should be little drop off for the Panthers run game.

What are the pitfalls here?  The ability to break away for a long run is the one thing Oakland has to bring to the table. It has happened more than once this season and Fargas has the ability to get it done.  The Panthers defense's ability to stop the long gainer is the primary key to a Panther win.

If McFadden plays, he has to be held in check.  Fargas cannot be allowed to run rough shot over the Panthers defense either.  Jon Beason and friends should be able to handle this assignment as they have held most of the league's top running backs to less than 100-yards per game this season. 

If the Panthers can keep the Raiders rushing yards down this Sunday, they will be one game closer to the season's best, 8-2 mark posted, after 10 games, by the Superbowl team in 2003. 

Prediction: Carolina 28 Oakland 14.