So much can change within a year. Unless you’re the Oakland Raiders (2-7), who are mired in awful play once again this season and are looking down the barrel of a sixth straight losing season. The Miami Dolphins (5-4) on the other hand are rebuilding and have direction under new management. And after a one-win season a year ago, the Tony Sparano led Dolphins will look to avenge a 35-17 loss at home to the Silver & Black in 2007.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Oakland has gone nine straight quarters without scoring a touchdown. They are last in the NFL in points scored per game (12.6), total points scored (113), passing yards per game (139.2), percentage of 3^rd down conversions made (22%) and 31^st in 1^st downs per game (13.2). And now, interim head coach Tom Cable will take over the play calling duties, stripping Greg Knapp of those responsibilities after being outscored by opponents 117-35 since the firing of Lane Kiffin.

“I feel responsible for where we’re at offensively,” Cable said on Wednesday. “With that being the case and my nature and my personality I’ve got to find a way to do more and help where I can. I really haven’t been active in that role, obviously as the line coach, but I feel that responsibility now and want to shoulder that responsibility so I’m more involved.”

What to expect:

Miami is the 9^th best rush defense in the NFL, but you can expect Cable to keep it on the ground and try to establish the identify Oakland once had as a solid run offense. Since Kiffin’s departure, the one thing they did do well was abandoned due to the staff wanting to see more big plays down the field. Since, the offensive line has gotten worse and now, they cannot find a rhythm with the ground game. They’ll need Darren McFadden to play to get any production on offense. After missing a few games, Cable expects that his speedy rookie can be a factor on Sunday. “We’re not making any plays on offense in terms of a playmaker, an explosive-type play. We have to hopefully get [Derrick Burgess and McFadden] back as soon as possible and hopefully this is the week for Darren to be back.”

On Defense:

Derrick Burgess practiced this week for the first time since Oct. 6. He was limited, but it appears that he may be able to take the field on Sunday.

“We got to find a way to get Derrick Burgess back out [on the field]…” said Cable this week.

In their last seven games, the Silver & Black has allowed 175.2 yards rushing per game. With Ricky Williams topping the 100-yard barrier last week for the first time since 2005 and Ronnie Brown having a wonderful season, the Raiders defense could be in for another long day.

What to expect:

Oakland does not have a good run defense. And Sparano would love instill toughness onto his inspired club. They can start this week by bullying the Raiders. Oakland has to stack the line of scrimmage and play press coverage in order to force mistakes out of the weak armed Chad Pennington. If they can take away the short routes by playing the Dolphins’ wide receivers tight, force deeper tosses out of Pennington and load up with the front seven in order to slow down the run, that will be their only shot at keeping this game close into the 4^th quarter.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

On offense:

Chad Pennington’s decision-making and steady play has helped this Miami offense. But the resurgence of Ricky Williams and the versatility of Ronnie Brown has helped pace them to their first winning record since ending the 2005 season at 9-7.

Greg Camarillo (47 rec. 504 yards 1 TD) and Ted Ginn Jr. (34 rec. 457 yards 1 TD) are their go to guys at wide receiver. But when they are near the goal line, Pennington looks for tight end Anthony Fasano, who leads the club with three scoring receptions.

What to expect:

The offensive line, especially the left side; featuring rookie Jake Long and Justin Smiley, is what keeps this offense from sputtering. If Burgess doesn’t play, the Raiders may not be able to generate enough pressure to bother Pennington. And if the Dolphins control the trenches, then Pennington, who is one the leagues best play action passers, will fiddle with the Raiders secondary.

On defense:

Joey Porter is enjoying one of his finest seasons as a pro, as he leads the NFL in sacks (12) in leading this 18^th overall ranked defense.

The three down linemen on this 3-4 alignment; Vonnie Holliday, Jason Ferguson and Kendall Langford have played admirably in stopping the run. And the secondary has compiled four interceptions over the last three games. The defensive backfield has been susceptible to big yards, but players like Yeremiah Bell have been able to come up with big plays when they need them in crunch time.

What to expect:

John Abraham and Julius Peppers have victimized Cornell Green and Kwame Harris in back-to-back weeks. The Dolphins don’t feature a threatening defensive end, but they’ll scheme ways to get pressure at the tackle spots in order to disrupt any passing game the Raiders try to install. As long as they play the run well, and keep Justin Fargas, Michael Bush and McFadden from big games, then they shouldn’t have much of a problem defending the rest of the Raiders attack.

GAME NOTES

• Newly signed cornerback/kick returner Justin Miller was observed wearing no. 22 on Thursday. The speedster will boost an already good return teams that has punt/kick returner Johnnie Lee Higgins. Miller was a second round draft choice of the New York Jets in 2005 and enjoyed All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections in 2006.
• JaMarcus Russell, Andrew Walter and McFadden all took snaps on Thursday. Jake Grove remained out with his calf injury and linebacker Ricky Brown as well with his groin.
• Javon Walker remains a mystery for Sunday. He is listed as doubtful and an inactive designation for this weekend seems likely.
• The Dolphins have won six of the last seven contests against the Raiders, but Oakland leads the all-time series 16-11-1.
• Last year, Justin Fargas emerged as Oakland’s leading rusher against the Dolphins when he posted a career high 179 yards after LaMont Jordan was lost to an injury. A win this weekend will give the Raiders their first back-to-back victories against Miami since 1986.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Will Oakland play aggressive and stack the line of scrimmage?

If they don’t, Miami will run the football effectively and Pennington will use his ball fakes to manipulate the Raiders defensive backfield. Nnamdi Asomugha and the rest of the Raider secondary should press and get physical with the Dolphin receivers. They must jam and disrupt them at the snap and not allow Pennington to get in sync with his short tosses.

Porter vs. Oakland’s pass protection

The Dolphins linebacker is having a huge year. And with game film of the Silver & Black’s struggles in recent weeks in pass protection, expect the former Steeler to attack the inconsistent edges along the Raider offensive line.

PREDICTION

Dolphins 26 – Raiders 16

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle providing play-by-play and former NFL performer Solomon Wilcots handling color analysis. The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO 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 12th 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 cited from official Raiders web site)

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (2-7) Home: 1-4 Road: 1-3

Road Team: Miami Dolphins (5-4) Home: 3-2 Road: 2-2

When and Where: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m. PT | Dolphin Stadium, Miami, FL