It was a week of shake-ups and frank player reactions for the Oakland Raiders (2-6), who now have the daunting task of playing a Carolina Panthers (6-2) that won two consecutive games prior to their bye week and sit atop the NFC South.

Oakland released DeAngelo Hall and dealt with the aftermath all week, with players reinforcing the bizarre happenings around the volatile organization and the difficulty playing under such circumstances. One thing is losing and another is dealing with all the extra stuff. We have so much on our plate already. To deal with the extra stuff is not healthy for anybody, especially when you’re trying to get a game plan in and you’re trying to know what you’re supposed to do and all that. It’s not a healthy situation at all,” said Gibril Wilson this week.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Since Lane Kiffin’s firing, the Raiders have been outscored 100-29. Last week against the Falcons, they didn’t get their initial first down until the 3^rd quarter. And with Darren McFadden out of the line-up with a lingering toe injury, the offense has been in shambles.

JaMarcus Russell had the worst start of his young career, going 6-of-19 for 31 yards with an interception, while being sacked four times.

The offensive line’s play has gotten progressively worse, and at some point, Tom Cable has to plug in Mario Henderson for the ineffective Kwame Harris. When Henderson last saw action, the Raiders were running the ball efficiently and the former 3^rd round draft choice played very well, starting in place for an injured Harris. Cable believed in Harris’ ability to run block and develop in his zone-blocking scheme, but Raider fan are learning exactly what 49er fans knew all along – that Harris should not be trusted to protect a young and pricey quarterback.

What to expect:

The offense has been abysmal. And with Carolina being the 8^th ranked defense in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders moving the ball consistently down the field. They’ll need big plays and breakdowns in the Panther secondary when Greg Knapp opens it up for his quarterback. Which is something I think he’ll do to loosen up the front seven in order to get his running backs going.

On Defense:

DeAngelo Hall can’t be blamed for the rush defense. For a sixth straight season, the interior of the defensive line has been a sieve, currently allowing 157.6 yards per game (30^th in the NFL). Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands and Gerard Warren have been pushed around, thus allowing opposing blockers to get to the second level easily and occupying the Raider linebackers.

At defensive end, it appears that Derrick Burgess will miss another game, as his injured triceps isn’t healed enough. His fellow end Jay Richardson gave his thoughts this week on the struggles versus the run, stating, “Until we decide we want to stop some of these concepts and some of these schemes, it’s going to be like that. I think we can, I think we will. I know we will.”

What to expect:

What to expect…? Hmmm — maybe more of the same this week. I can’t see the Raiders stopping Carolina’s 13^th ranked ground game, led by DeAngelo Williams. The only entertaining match-up this week will be when Nnamdi Asomugha lines up in front of Steve Smith.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

On Offense:

Jake Delhomme is back under center a year after Tommy John surgery. And that has made a world of a difference due to his leadership and fiery play.

It helps also when you have Steve Smith (33 rec. 613 yards 4 TD) and Muhsin Muhammad (37 rec. 507 yards 2 TD). But what has helped this offense click has been Williams’ team leading 522 rushing yards and Jonathan Stewart’s 5 touchdowns as a back up.

On Thursday, Stewart missed practice and was walking with a boot to protect his sore left heel. “It’s a sharp pain in my heel,” Stewart said. “I have to run the ball and it hurts every time I press off on it.”

What to expect:

Williams can carry the load of needed, and the way the Raiders are defending the ground game, he should be able to produce enough yards to move the chains and then help Delhomme use his play action to attack down the field. Center Ryan Kalil and right tackle Jeff Otah have been practicing and will start for the Raiders. So the Panthers are getting healthy at the right moment.

On Defense:

Reserve defensive tackle Darwin Walker has a sore neck after being in a car accident. He stated this week, “It was like a super-hard hit on the field.

“My neck still hasn’t recovered.”

The Panthers won’t need him as long as DE Julius Peppers (4 sacks), DT Damione Lewis, DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu and DE Charles Johnson (3.5 sacks) can control the line of scrimmage.

The solid trio of Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and Na’il Diggs can chase down ball carriers with the best of them.

What to expect:

The Raiders have struggled at tackle. John Abraham had a three-sack game last week, and with Peppers coming into town, Russell should have his head on a swivel. Johnson has played well for the Panthers, and head coach John Fox has appreciated the play of his 6’2” end, stating, “He’s got good playing strength and has the flexibility to play inside or outside. A good athlete. The only thing missing is experience, and that is just a matter of playing.”

GAME NOTES

• This will be the fourth meeting between both clubs, with the Raiders leading the series 2-1, winning the last two contests.
• When Delhomme has a passer rating of 100.0 or better, the Panthers are 15-0.
• DeAngelo Hall cleared waivers, making him a free agent and eligible to sign with any team. Since he cleared waivers, the two-time pro bowler will not be able to receive the remaining six years and $64 million of his seven-year, $72 million contract.
• This week, the Raiders placed Robert Thomas on injured reserve. Other transactions included the re-signing of defensive tackle William Joseph, and cornerback Michael Waddell. Oakland also picked up linebacker Marquis Cooper.
• Former Raider Tyler Brayton has compiled 14 tackles and 2 sacks in his first season as a Panther.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Raiders LT & RT vs. Carolina pass rush

If Abraham had three-sacks last week, what can the combo of Peppers and Johnson rack up?

Asomugha vs. Smith

We may not see these two match-up often, but when it does happen, it will be entertaining. This face-off may not decide the winner of the game, but high caliber talents should provide good moments.

PREDICTION

Panthers 23 – Raiders 13

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on FOX with Dick Stockton providing play-by-play and Brian Baldinger and Brian Billick handling color analysis with Laura Okmin the sideline reporter. 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. Sports USA Radio will broadcast the game nationally with Howard David, Terry Donahue and Tony Graziani calling the action. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders web site)

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (2-6) Home: 1-3 Road: 1-3

Road Team: Carolina Panthers (6-2) Home: 5-0 Road: 1-2

When and Where: Sunday, November 9, 2008, 1:05 p.m. PT | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA