Raiders Kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, to Attend Anger Management

Back in 2010, the Oakland Raiders kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, was accused of shoving and imprisoning a woman at a night club. No serious harm was done to the woman when this occurred, but that was because others at the club quickly intervened. As a result of the incident, Janikowski was sentenced to thirty hours of anger management and substance abuse classes, and in addition to that, will also be required to serve 30 hours of community service.

This was Janikowski’s first run-in with the law in a while, no suspension from the league is expected as a result of his plea.

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Raiders Look For Bounce Back Win Against Undefeated Packers

Coming off an embarrassing l0ss to the Dolphins, the Raider travel to Green Bay to take on the undefeated Packers. This is a match-up nightmare for the men in Silver & Black and it could not come at a worse time.

With the loss last week, the Raiders fell to 2nd in the AFC West and getting back to winning against the Defending Super Bowl Champs will not be an easy task.

On offense, Carson Palmer has to do a better job of leading the offense. If its one thing that the Packers are bad at, it’s defense. The Packers defense gave up 447 yards of offense, 347 coming through the air against the Giants last week..

The Raiders can try to win in two ways, 1) Try to run the ball and control the clock and hope your defense can make enough stops or 2) win in a shootout. If the Raiders choose the run game method,  look for Michael Bush to try to get back on track and run the ball better than he did against Miami especially with Darren McFadden missing his 6th straight game due to a foot injury.  However, I think the Raiders may be forced to go with the alternative option of a shootout because the Packers offense is just too good. If that is the case, this is where Palmer needs to step up and play like an elite quarterback, you know the one the Raiders traded for.

On defense, the key factor is obviously stopping Aaron Rodgers. I don’t know if stopping is the correct word here so maybe more like slowing him down will be a better fit. With Rodgers and his multiple weapons, the key is not to let them get in a rhythm. Look for the Raiders to bring pressure and if the pressure can’t reach Rodgers, then the Raiders are in for a long day.

Outcome: The Raiders stay close early but the Packers pull away in the second half and win 35-17.

Raiders Enjoy Weather, Not Game in Miami

If anyone says Rolando McClain’s off field incident wasn’t a distraction last week during preparation for the Dolphins, they are flat out lying to you. The Raiders no-showed against the Dolphins Sunday falling to the Dolphins 34-14.

Photo Credit - Miami Dolphins

The Raiders were easily outplayed, out-hustled, and dominated in all aspects of the game. On offense, Carson Palmer looked lost out there. He completed 20 out of 41 passes, threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception returned 34 yards for an interception by Kevin Burnett. Michael Bush had his most unimpressive game of the season when he rushed for 18 yards on 10 carries.

On defense, the Raiders could not stop the Dolphins. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards with one touchdown and while his running mate, Daniel Thomas, ran for 73 yards. They gave up 362 yards of offense, 209 of them coming on the ground. Trailing 20-0, things went from bad to worse when Richard Seymour was ejected from the game for throwing a “punch”.

Look Ahead: With the loss, the Raiders fall to 2nd in the AFC West behind Tim Tebow’s Broncos. After beating the bears behind Sebastian Janikowski’s six field goals and being outplayed by the Dolphins, are the Raiders regressing? I say no.  The Raiders take on the undefeated Packers but then have three favorable games against the Lions, Chiefs, and Chargers. Still look for the Raiders to take the AFC West crown and make the playoffs as they finish the season 3-1 and an overall record of 10-6.

Mid Season Report Card

In my opening preview for the Raiders, I predicted that they would finish 3rd in the AFC West and end with a 7-9 record. Well half way through the season, the Raiders sit in a three way tie with the Chargers and Chiefs at 4-4. The Raiders have had many good games (comeback win against the Jets, win against the Bills, and an emotional win against the Texans) but they also have had some bad weeks (last week against the Broncos for example).

They have a division record of 1-2 and in a way control their own destiny. They still play the Chargers twice and Chiefs one more time. But before you can look to the rest of the season, you must evaluate the Raiders from the 1st half of the season.

Quarterbacks – “C+” – Although I got on him a lot and his stats weren’t all that good looking, Jason Campbell was a great in game manager. When the Raiders lost him for the season, they made a splash with the Carson Palmer trade and thus far you can’t tell if the trade was worth it. I would of given a higher grade if Campbell was still healthy but after the loss of Campbell, Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer have not performed well.

Running-backs – “A” – I give Darren McFadden and Michael Bush an “A” because they have single handily carried this team. Even with the loss of McFadden for a few games, Michael Bush has filled in nicely. They are used to control the clock and without this run game, this Raider team can be totally different.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends – “B-” – The Raiders receivers have been very inconsistent this season. In the beginning of the season, the Raiders were a run first team and it could be seen in the receivers production but since the death of Al Davis, they have attempted to spread the ball around. Darius Heyward-Bay has come on this season and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may be their best receiver by years end.

Offensive line – “B+” – The offensive line has to get a high grade because McFadden and Bush could not have the success they have had without the big guys up front. If the Raider keep pounding the rock, it will be behind the success of the O-Line.

Defensive line – “A-” – The Raiders D-Line has been fantastic. With Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour locking down the middle, teams can’t run up the middle on them.  Also, DE Lamar Houston is quietly having a great season.

Linebackers – “B+” – Kamerion Wimbley is having another good season if though he isn’t sacking the quaterback, he is putting pressure on them. Rolando McClain still looks like he is figuring out the whole NFL but his weaknesses were so noticeable because teams can’t run up the middle on them. There is no doubt Aaron Curry will be a help to McClain improving throughout the season.

Secondary – “C+” – This is the hardest game to give. On one hand you have Michael Huff and Demarcus Van Dyke playing well and on the other hand you have the inconstancy of Stanford Rout and Tyvon Branch. If the Raiders want to go anywhere this season, the secondary must step up their second half play.

Special Teams – “A” – Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler are the backbone to this team and their outstanding special teams will continue to strive in the 2nd half.

Coaching – “B” – Like the players, Hue Jackson and his staff have been inconsistent this season. At 4-4 this team looks like they are unprepared in some games and fans need to remember that each game is a learning experience for Jackson who after all is a rookie coach.

A look ahead -  The Raiders are 4-4 and really control their own destiny. It’s not often that  a team half way through with a .500 record can say that but they really do. Win-able games against Minnesota and Miami is a positive but tough games against the Chargers (x2), Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit, and Kansas City can’t be too promising. I see them finishing 8-8 and not making the playoffs.

Off Bye Week, Raiders Try Palmer 2.0

Off their bye week, the Raiders get a second chance to play Carson Palmer at QB. Palmer who has stated he wasn’t ready to play and told he wasn’t going to against the Chiefs in week 7, had a full extra week to learn and practice the Raiders playbook.

It won’t be easy on Palmer because he will be missing the Raiders best player on offense in Darren McFadden. McFadden who can open up the game with one rush of the ball will be out with a sprained foot.  Michael Bush will get the start at RB in place of the injured because Darren McFadden is out this week with sprained foot. The Raiders looking to give Palmer more comfort, signed a familiar Palmer target in T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Palmer has to take a big step forward to improve on his bad start against the Chiefs.

With all the Palmer problems, the Raiders are lucky the Broncos have a worse problem. Their problem is Tim Tebow. If he doesn’t improve early, look for Brady Quinn to see some time and hopefully the end of the Tebow era. Willis McGahee will play after sitting out last week game because of hand surgery. If the Raiders can stop McGahee and Knowshon Moreno, the game will be an easy win for the Raiders.

Key Matchup: Battle of the Quaterback – We know that no matter how bad Palmer does, Kyle Boller won’t step on the field but we can’t say the same for Tebow. If Tebow pulls some magic out of his hat, the game should be competitive.

Outcome: The Raiders win easy 27-14.

Raiders Look to Continue Magical Season

It has been a crazy two weeks for the Raiders in which they lost their owner Al Davis, won their next game against Houston on a game winning interception in which they had only 10 players on the field, then they lose Jason Campbell for the year, and trade for Carson Plamer.

But with all that, the Raiders should be able to beat up on the Chiefs today. The Chiefs have looked better of late but the Raiders should have their way.

On offense, look for Darren McFadden to get more carries as Carsonl Palmer won’t be ready to play and Kyle “I should of been a” Bo(w)ller gets the start at QB. The Raiders will try to pound the rock as they do every week as they won’t put the game in Boller’s hands.

On defense, the Raiders must stop a Chiefs offense that has gotten it together of late. Steve Breaston is forming chemistry with QB Matt Cassell and RB Jackie Battle will get the start as the number one RB.

Key Matchup: Darren McFadden vs. Chiefs D – The Raiders will lean on McFadden heavily and if the Chiefs can stop McFadden and Michael Bush then an upset can be in the air.

Key Player: Kyle Boller: Boller can not lose this game for the Raiders. He must manage the ball well and keep the turnovers down.

Outcome: The Raiders win a tight, physical game 24-21 on a Sebastian Janikowski game winning field goal.