Struggling Jets are made to order for the Oakland Raiders
“There’s a process to get there. Someone saying we didn’t have great leadership offensively last week or whatever that is. So be it. It’s still about what goes on between the lines in our locker room and our practice field. It’s about us.” – Tom Cable
If the Oakland Raiders want to validate the work put in by their head coach and his constant reminders to the media that this team is building towards something better, they must follow up yesterday’s 13-6 victory with another solid effort next weekend against the New York Jets.
Oakland ambushed the Philadelphia Eagles; a team who traveled to the west coast thinking they could leave with an easy victory, but departed instead feeling dejected and disappointed at their effort against an embattled team.
Now the Silver & Black are flying high. One win did not cure all their ills, but this one surely derailed the notion that they were looking down the barrel of another horrific season. The Raiders brought their lunch pale and went to work – they reaped the benefits of battling for an entire contest.
“It’s a matter of whether we go out and fight to win. Today we fought to win. That’s what you take from it. They deserved to win today,” said Cable.
So what’s next? A team that has a little Raider in them, that is going through some tough times of their own.
New York suffered their third straight defeat on Sunday at home against a struggling Buffalo Bills squad. The Jets committed 14 penalties, had six turnovers, five from their rookie passer and their boastful head coach is seeing how quickly things can change when you’re the focus of the New York media.
“The character of this football team is going to show,” Rex Ryan said, looking gloomy after the Jets overtime defeat. “We will bounce back. I understand I’ve said that three weeks in a row. But I believe it.”
In their three straight losses, the Jets played valiantly against a potent Saints attack, but were exposed offensively, allowed the Dolphins to rack up yardage with their ‘Wildcat’ attack on national television and it got worse with a mistake filled effort yesterday in front of their home crowd. Things have gotten progressively worse since their 3-0 start.
Mark Sanchez is no longer the golden boy. He is facing the growing pains of being a young NFL starter and the first real adversity of his career. “I’ve played six games and we’ve lost three and two of them I would say you can blame on No.6,” Sanchez said. “It feels pretty bad.”
The anchor of their defense – nose tackle Kris Jenkins – did not finish the game with a knee injury which Ryan described as being ‘severe.’ Damien Woody, their right tackle limped off the field and the once mighty defense that made some noise in the opening weeks of the season went into yesterday’s game versus the Bills tied for last in the league in sacks, and only got one against a makeshift Buffalo line and backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Now they have to travel to the west coast and face a Raider team that shocked the league with their play against the Eagles.
Can Gary Russell and the Raiders take advantage of a struggling Jets' defense next week?
Oakland has to take advantage of this situation. The Jets are made to order. New York is allowing 350 yards per contest and 148 rushing yards per game during their three-game slide.
The Raiders are coming off their best effort of the season, have a second straight home game, and a 3-4 record going into their game against the Chargers would mean a lot to the organization and their dissatisfied fan-base.
A win would mean that this head coach is finally getting to these players. That this group really does want to play hard for Cable and are genuine in their belief that things can change in Oakland.
“I’m happy we won,” Cable said, “but, you’ve got to know, I love this team and I’m not going to change what I believe in.”
We’ll start believing that things are truly changing in Oakland if they go out next week, learn from prior mistakes, grow as a team and take advantage of the scenario presented to them.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Oakland defeated a Brett Favre led New York Jets squad last season 16-13 in overtime, in front of the faithful ‘Black Hole.’ Justin Fargas carried the ball 28 times for 74 yards. He will mostly likely get the start next weekend after a strong performance against the Eagles. Javon Walker had 5 receptions for 75-yards and a score. The defense allowed 242 yards rushing, but applied constant pressure throughout the contest. Trevor Scott broke out with two sacks, both on key 3rd downs, and Sebastian Janikowski nailed a 57-yard field goal to win the game – the longest in franchise history.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
