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Raiders in focus

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 12, 2008 07:00 AM

The Patriots (8-5) visit the Raiders (3-10) at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday, and here are five items of note on the Raiders:

1) League leader in penalties. The Raiders have been flagged for 96 accepted penalties (for 739 yards), the most in the NFL. Their lack of discipline at times reflects their 3-10 record. So this game has the NFL's most penalized team against the NFL's least penalized team (Patriots, 44 accepted penalties for 406 yards).

2) Punter is a top asset. The Raiders don't have many things going for them, but punter Shane Lechler is one of them. Lechler is second in the NFL in both punting average (49.2) and net average (41.7). His powerful leg can shift field position. Lechler, combined with strong-legged kicker Sebastian Janikowski (19 touchbacks, tied-2nd in NFL), helps Oakland fare well in the field-position game. Janikowski's long kickoffs are the main reason Oakland ranks first in the NFL in opponent's average drive start (24.2 yard-line).

3) Passing game is worst in the NFL. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is completing just 51.4 percent of his passes, and the Raiders rank 32nd in passing yards per game (137.2), 32nd in first downs (171), and 32nd in third-down efficiency (43 of 174, 24.7 percent). Their 29 red-zone trips are the worst in the AFC, as are their 10 TDs inside the 20-yard line. A lack of explosiveness at receiver is one reason that tight end Zach Miller (45 catches) is the team's leading receiver.

4) Punt return game has shown a spark. Second-year player Johnnie Lee Higgins has taken all of the Raiders' punt returns (37) and he's returned two for touchdowns, one of which went for 93 yards, the other for 89. In a season where the Raiders have struggled to score points (13.7 per game, 30th in the NFL), Higgins has at least helped set up some good field position.

5) Slowest starters in the NFL. The Raiders have scored 26 points in the first quarter, which is the fewest in the NFL. Accounting for the entire first half, they've scored just 59 points, as opponents have pounced on them early.

ANALYSIS: This is a tough game to project because it is difficult to determine which Raiders team will show up, and if the players will play with a purpose. The Raiders' most recent performance, a 34-7 loss to the Chargers, was embarrassing. In terms of the Patriots' approach, it is likely to start on defense with stopping the run, as running backs Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are some of Oakland's best playmakers. The idea would be to put the ball in the hands of quarterback JaMarcus Russell and see how he responds. In terms of an offensive approach for the Patriots, this projects as a pound-it-in-there type of game as the Raiders have shown vulnerability against the run (opponents averaging 4.5 yards per carry). The field-position battle figures to be a bit more important based on the strong performance of the Raiders' specialists. Oakland has had 10 days to prepare and teams are 10-4 in those situations this year. Prediction: Patriots 20, Raiders 16.

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6 comments so far...

Oakland's strengths on offense play right into the Patriots strengths on defense. If the Pats can score early it will force Russel to take over the game. Something he has not proven he can do.

Another player to watch out for is former pro-bowler/Jet Justin Miller who is also returning kicks. He had their lone TD last week on a 92-yard kick return.

Posted by Andy M December 12, 08 09:29 AM

If I were the Raiders coach, my game plan would be, halfback sweep right or sweep left wherever Rosy Colvin is lined up, all game long. Pats have no edge setter now that AD and Pierre Woods is out. Despite NE having a porous pass defense, the Raiders should test the Pats run defense and do it all game long till it wears them out. But since I'm not the coach, no one will listen to me, not that anyone ever did when I was coach.

Posted by Lane 'give me my money' Kiffin December 12, 08 10:17 AM

running qb's dont work in the nfl

Posted by Alex December 12, 08 11:58 AM

Get off Lame's nuts. He was 5-20. His gameplan wasnt too great. Im glad you are not the coach. This is a case of the racist NFL saotaging another black QB. Russel is not even a scrambling QB stupid. Shows what you know. Inferior coaching and playcalling is the reason.

Posted by lorenz December 12, 08 02:12 PM

Alex, unfortunately your comment does not apply to this discussion. Russell was not drafted as, nor has he been used as, a running QB. The guy can throw 65 yards sitting down. Problem is, he's got nobody to throw to! The Oakland receivers need to step up their game and do what anybody with two legs can do - beat the New England secondary. Sorry, I'm a huge Pats fan, but I think Oakland may play the role of spoiler on Sunday and knock us out of the playoffs.

Doesn't really make a difference, the NFL is all fixed anyway.

Posted by Daymo December 12, 08 03:10 PM

Would everyone stop pretending this is even a contest. The raiders couldn't beat a high school team.

Posted by Rocko December 13, 08 09:15 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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