Countdown to Paydirt: Atlanta Falcons vs. Oakland Raiders
This weekend, JaMarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders (2-5) face another team having a surprising season – led by a young quarterback – as Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) fly into McAfee Coliseum for their 12th all time meeting.
Last time both teams met on December 12, 2004, the Silver & Black were defeated 35-10, with their lone scores coming from a Sebastian Janikowski 52-yard field goal and a one-yard run by Zack Crockett. When Atlanta last visited the then Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland routed the NFC opponent 41-14.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
Darren McFadden has been slowed by turf toe once again, this time on his left foot, which has limited his effectiveness and kept him out of his first game last week versus the Ravens.
“You just hope it’s some kind of freak accident going out there and you get well on one foot, and then you come back and tweak the other one a little bit,” stated McFadden after not seeing action in practice on Wednesday. “You hope it’s just a freak accident and you just try to push through it like this.”
His presence was missed last week, as the Raiders managed only 35 total yards of offense in the first half, and only 47 yards on the ground for the game against a stout rush defense. And with the lack of playmakers on the roster and a deficiency in their play calling, it appeared that the offense did not have enough juice to put a scare into anyone.
What to expect:
“The first half, we just got our tails whipped at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Oakland coach Tom Cable said about the game in Baltimore. “There’s really no other way to put it.”
The offensive line, particularly the tackles, had horrible games, and with little commitment beyond this year to either Cornell Green or Kwame Harris, the Raiders could and should to start looking at other alternatives that may fare better. Mario Henderson played well in replacing Harris earlier in the season, but lost his job once the former 49er was healthy enough to get back on the field. Since, the running game has not been revved up and Russell has had less time in the pocket.
On Defense:
The secondary has played better, despite allowing big plays last week against Joe Flacco. DeAngelo Hall has settled in and leads the team in interceptions after his nightmarish debut week-1 versus the Broncos. Now, he faces his former teammates and the boisterous cornerback commented on how it will feel to face the team that dealt him away in the off-season.
“Oh yeah, I can’t wait. I cannot wait. I felt like I taught Roddy [White] a thing or two. As well as the rest of those guys. I can’t want to get out there and match up with them on game day and see if I taught him good enough. He’s obviously having a hell of a year. I text him almost every game just to tell him to keep it up, stay motivated and stay in it. I want to see him cross that water. [Make the Pro Bowl and go to Hawaii]. I think that’s the next step for him. I want to see him get paid obviously. That’s also a step that’s coming in the future.
What to expect:
The Raiders are allowing 218.4 passing yards a game (19th in the NFL), while the Falcons average 197.1 yards per game through the air. Oakland’s cornerbacks can match-up with Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglass, but whether or not the front seven can produce enough pressure to rattle Ryan will be the question.
ATLANTA FALCONS
On Offense:
Ryan is the 20th ranked passer in the NFL (79.7 QB rating), but has shown great maturity and very good promise in his rookie season, especially after taking over at quarterback for the vilified Michael Vick.
He’s been aided by a productive ground attack, led by Michael Turner, who is third in the league with his career high 655 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Third year pro Jerious Norwood has also provided a boost, averaging 6.3 yards per carry as Turner’s back up.
What to expect:
Oakland has allowed 162.6 yards per game in their last 5 contests. The Falcons need to establish the run early in order to give Ryan opportunities to find his weapons down the field on play action.
On Defense:
Former Raider Grady Jackson appears to be primed for game action on Sunday. If he plays, he’ll start along the defensive line with John Abraham (7 sacks), Jonathan Babineaux (7 tackles for loss) and Jamaal Anderson (2 sacks).
Starting strong safety Lawyer Milloy put a hit on Philadelphia tight end LJ Smith last week in which he was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but as of today, no suspension has been announced.
What to expect:
Abraham can have a field day with Harris. The speedy end can be menace, and if the Raiders don’t help out in pass protection, Russell could be in trouble. Oakland will try to move the mobile Russell out of the pocket, especially since their best blocking fullback is lost for the season. So how Atlanta adjusts and whether or not they bring heat with their linebackers will be key on how they defend the young passer.
GAME NOTES
- Jaamal Anderson will look to record a sack in three consecutive games when he faces Cornell Green this week.
- DE Derrick Burgess (triceps strain), LBs Ricky Brown (groin) and Jon Alston, and S Gibril Wilson (toe) were held outt of practice on Thursday.
- Wide receiver Ronald Curry talked earlier in the week regarding his demotion. “It’s like the team gave up on me. You go from playing to getting one or two snaps a game, the decision is being made. I’m going to go out there and continue to work at practice, work at games and once the season’s over, the picture’s pretty clear.”
KEY MATCH-UPS
Turner vs. Run D
Thomas Howard felt after the game in Baltimore that the Raiders weren’t doing to bad versus opposing ground games. The facts are, they’ve been bad and if it continues this week, against a very explosive rusher, the Raiders offense will be playing catch-up all day.
Harris and Green vs. Abraham and Anderson
The Raider tackles need to play better. And if they continue to struggle, Cable will have to consider making line changes next week.
PREDICTION
Falcons 23 – Raiders 19
TV & RADIO
The game will be televised on FOX with Matt Vasgersian providing play-by-play and former NFL performer J.C. Pearson handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air locally on KTVU Channel 2. The game will also air in Sacramento on KXTL Channel 40 as well as on KCVU Channel 30 in Chico/Redding, KCBA Channel 35 in Monterey, KVBU Channel 29 in Eureka and KMPH Channel 26 in Fresno. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders Web Site)
GAME INFO
Home Team: Oakland Raiders (2-5) Home: 1-2 Road: 1-3
Road Team: Atlanta Falcons (4-3) Home: 3-0 Road: 1-3
When and Where: Sunday, November 2, 2008, 1:15 p.m. PT | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
