The Oakland Raiders End Zone

Raider Don · Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Connecticut

GAMEDAY PREVIEW- 2006 SEASON-WEEK 17

OAKLAND RAIDERS AT NEW YORK JETS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2006

THE RAIDERS LEAD THE ALL TIME SERIES BETWEEN THESE TWO AFL ORIGINALS 19-13-2. THE JETS HAVE WON THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, INCLUDING A FORGETABLE 26-10 MATCHUP LATE LAST SEASON.

The final chapter in the poorly executed novel titled the 2006 Oakland Raiders will be written on Sunday. The 2-13 Oakland Raiders wrap up the worst season of the Al Davis era as they travel to New York to face the upstart New York Jets. While Oakland plays out the string, the Jets are looking for their tenth win and a trip to the playoffs. Eric Mangini is a strong candidate for coach of the year. Meanwhile, Art Shell is a strong candidate for last coach hired in 2006 and first coach fired in 2007.

KEYS TO VICTORY
UTILIZE THE FEW ASSETS YOU HAVE ON OFFENSE
Let's face it. This is the worst offensive team in Raider history. The 1961 and 1962 Raiders, generally considered the worst teams in Raiders history, each had a 30 point outburst during their dismal seasons. This Raider roster has produced over 20 points in just four of 15 contests. What the Raiders need to do on Sunday is minimize their pamphlet thin playbook and feature Ronald Curry and Justin Fargas. This means getting these two the ball at all costs. Avoid the stone handed tight end combo of Anderson and Williams. Keep Reshard Lee warm on the sidelines. The Raiders plays should read-Fargas left, Fargas right, Curry wherever, or else run with Brooks.

WHEN THE OFFENSE DOESN'T WORK, JUST PUNT THE DAMN BALL
The Raiders best shot to score is to play field position. Heck, if Brooks gets sacked on a first or second down, you might as well punt the ball instead of risking a turnover. Let Shane Lechler boom a punt into the Meadowlands wind and maybe you can get a muff.

SCORE WITH DEFENSE
The defense needs to go out and win this game on their own. Heck with the offense. Attack Chad Pennington. Pressure the passer and force turnovers. The Jets will be tight. You have nothing to lose. Go balls out and make a statement heading into 2007.

PREDICTION
Vegas has installed the Jets as a 12 point favorite. Obviously, this game is huge not only for the Jets, but for the Titans, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Bengals. Imagine the irony of the Chiefs playoff hopes in the hands of the hapless Raiders. The obvious question is do the Raiders give a crap, or will they go through the motions before packing up for the season. I do not expect a repeat of last year's Brooks Bolinger debacle, which is still to this day one of the worst games I've ever seen the Raiders play. I expect the Raiders to cover the 12 points, strictly based on the Raiders defense matching up well with a Jets offense that does not run the ball very well. It's all on the offense and how many turnovers they commit. In the end, I expect a close competitive loss.
JETS 10, RAIDERS 3

NOTABLES
Eight individual players have scored as many touchdowns as the entire Raiders offense. LaDanian Tomlinson has scored 21 more points than the entire Raiders team. The Raiders defense has more touchdowns (4) than any individual Raiders offensive player (Randy Moss leads with 3 touchdowns).

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

East Bay Grease · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:34 am Post subject:

Anybody home? Since they're televising the Jets game to the home market, I'm enjoying (if that's the right word) a rare opportunity to see a Raider day game on TV.
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Rooting for the Raiders, win or lose, since 1968. "Just win--maybe?"

Boz · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 926

O-line looked OK. Brooks is killing us. The play calling on offense is soooo unimaginative!

Raider Roy · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 576 Location: Rhode Island

Who wiffed on the Jet defender coming off the left side that sacked Brooks on 3rd and goal ??

Late Hit on Fargas by Eric Barton ...what's up with that ?

Morant's 2nd fumble in two weeks lead to 7 Jet points. Evil or Very Mad

East Bay Grease · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:11 pm Post subject:

Hey, Roy!

Boz · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 926

Did I mention that Brooks is killing us!

East Bay Grease · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject:

East Bay Grease · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:23 pm Post subject:

Detroit up by 9 in the 4th!
_________________
Rooting for the Raiders, win or lose, since 1968. "Just win--maybe?"

Turo · Site Admin Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2186

Just finished 'catching up' on this one via Tivo. Man, our offense sucks.

On to next year!

(sigh)
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Can your passing game be vertical if your quarterback is horizontal? ~ John Ryan

Don't Come Over the Middle