Silver and Black Report

Sanjay Lal working with Johnnie Lee Higgins during camp in 2010.

The New York Jets continued to revamp their coaching staff by hiring Sanjay Lal to lead their wide receiving unit.

Lal spent the last three years with the Oakland Raiders. On Thursday, he impressed New York’s front office enough to land him the job today. He now joins Tony Sparano, who replaced Brian Schottenheimer at offensive coordinator, while former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley could be in the mix as New York’s passing-game coordinator.

With the Raiders, Lal helped develop their raw receiving corps, ultimately helping Darrius Heyward-Bey to career highs in receptions (64), yards (975) and touchdowns (4) in his third year, after posting a combined 35 catches for 490-yards and two scores in his first two seasons.

Jacoby Ford had a productive rookie year under Lal’s tutelage. The speedy target stated on his twitter account, ““Man ima miss Sanjay Lal. Great coach. Good luck on the east coast coach!!”

DHB and Louis Murphy started under Lal’s watch, the first time that a NFL team had a starting tandem at receiver with rookies since 2000.

Lal had a difficult job aiding the development of Oakland’s inexperienced unit – especially DHB, a highly scrutinized first-round selection. He also had often-injured Chaz Schilens and inconsistent draft selections such as Johnnie Lee Higgins.

Now he heads to New York to work with the enigmatic Santonio Holmes, who was problematic for the Jets at season’s end after being named a captain at the onset of the campaign and Plaxico Burress, who finished his first year with Gang Green after being incarcerated.

ANALYSIS:

Lal came in with Lane Kiffin’s staff as a quality control coach and departed after leaving his mark on the wide receiving unit. It wasn’t an easy task for Lal, who worked every day with DHB, one of the more scrutinized selections in recent memory. DHB evolved into a very productive target, and some of that credit has to be given to Lal. He always had a revolving door of young targets to work with, from Ford to Denarius Moore. He also had a few receivers that just never left their mark in the league and still haven’t; Nick Miller and Todd Watkins, to name a few. He’s earned his way to a very good job, as it appears that Rex Ryan is trying to build a super-staff together after failing to reach a Super Bowl once again.

Oakland’s new coach will bring in his own personnel men, and with Reggie McKenzie ready to empower whoever he hires, don’t expect too many holdovers if any on the Raider sideline.

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SBReport.net will take a look at the best and worst moments for the 2011 Oakland Raiders; including top plays, standout players and performances, and a lot more…

MVP (On Offense)

Michael Bush, RB

Why Bush? If not for his 977-yards rushing, 418-receiving and eight total scores, Oakland would have been in deep trouble. Yes, Darren McFadden is their most dynamic player and a superstar-type talent, but he missed the entire second half and if not for depth at that position, the Raiders offense would have been stagnant. That’s why both need to be kept together.

Honorable Mention: Jared Veldheer, LT – He faced Jared Allen, Tamba Hali twice, Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil twice, Andre Carter, Cameron Wake in a season of growth and maturity into one of the better young left tackles in the league.

MVP (On Defense)

Tommy Kelly, DT

I felt he had a better overall season than Richard Seymour and got slighted in the Pro Bowl selection process. He had 7.5 sacks and was steadier game in and game out.

Honorable Mention: Tyvon Branch, SS – Improved his coverage skills greatly and continued to be stout when placed around the line of scrimmage. Now, it’s time for a payday.

MVP (Special Teams)

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

He altered the look of the offense. When other teams opt to punt, Oakland strolls out their powerful kicker. With a better defense, imagine if the Raiders offense didn’t feel the stress of going long-distances on drives with Janikowski on their side.

BEST COACH

Bob Wylie

Veldheer became an anchor and Samson Satele has proven to be reliable and durable. Stefen Wisniewski did not play like a rookie and the right side, which was a major question mark coming into the season, held their own. With a top ranked running game and very few sacks allowed, Wylie easily was Oakland’s most valuable staffer.

MOST IMPROVED (On Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

In a landslide… the maligned target ended with 64-receptions for 975-yards and four scores.

MOST IMPROVED (On Defense)

This award will not be given to anyone.

BEST ROOKIE

Denarius Moore, WR

A true play-maker who can stretch the field… and he was drafted in what round?

PLAYERS WHO DISAPPOINTED…

Lamarr Houston trying to amp-up the crowd vs. the Chargers.

Kamerion Wimbley, LB – Only had seven sacks, but four of them were in one game versus the Chargers. If he’s going to be out there, Oakland needs him to be a menace pass rushing and not caught in bad match-ups with the likes of Antonio Gates.

Rolando McClain, LB – An arrest, very few impact plays at middle linebacker… if he wouldn’t had the off-field issues, it could’ve been easier to ship the talent who may need a new start elsewhere.

Lamarr Houston, DE – Only one-sack for the second year pro.

CLASSIEST RAIDERS

Quentin Groves, LB – Moved out of the starting line-up when Aaron Curry was acquired, the linebacker got on special teams and played well.

Jason Campbell, QB – At the beginning of the season, it appeared that the stars were aligned for Campbell – team on the rise, he’s at the helm playing well, at the end of a contract. Now, he may not have many options in the market to start and may have to settle on being Carson Palmer’s back up.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to injury)

Matt Shaughnessy, DE – He has a motor, can bring the heat and is a solid edge defender. It could’ve helped.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to departure)

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB – Boy, did that secondary need someone opposing passers feared.

PLAYER WHO NEEDS TO BE INCORPORATED MORE…

Kevin Boss, TE – They are paying him well for only 39-targets, 28 catches for 368-yards and three touchdowns. Oakland’s offense also features a very good receiving fullback (Marcel Reece) and with all the youth at receiver and rushers than can also be threats as pass-catchers, its easy to forget about Boss.

MOST OVERRATED (on offense)

Jacoby Ford, WR

Injuries slowed him, but he rarely showed any of the glimpses we saw in his rookie season.

MOST OVERRATED (on defense)

Matt Giordano, FS

Yes, he led the team with five interceptions, but many of them were in the ‘right at him’ category. Too many times he took horrible angles in run support and missed on tackles to spring running backs for bigger gains.

Honorable Mention: Stanford Routt, CB – How many times did he get flagged? Teams were not afraid to go after him – not what you want out of a top-paid cornerback.

BEST MOMENTS

Tommy Kelly, Jarvis Moss & the rest of the defense had fun bullying Mark Sanchez.

• Rallying versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing – On a emotional afternoon, with heavy hearts, Oakland overcame a deficit and held on late, on the game’s final play to win their first game without the legendary owner.
• Bullying the Jets in front of the ‘Black Hole’ – They ran for 234-yards, beat up Mark Sanchez and enjoyed a 34-24 victory against a top team.
• John Madden lighting up the torch – It was the Raiders first game at home without Davis, and during halftime, the coach who made his mark with the Silver & Black, lit up a cauldron during a ceremony to remember his life.
• Winning three in a row and getting to 7-4 in late November.
• The Raider fans selling out all eight home games.

WORST MOMENTS

• Al Davis Dying – It’s still unimaginable that the man synonymous with the Silver & Black will no longer be with us.
• Second-Half vs. Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Oakland, as Buffalo scored at will on every possession in the second half. One stop by the defense, and the Raiders could’ve had another win.
• Chiefs Stomping – Losing to the Chiefs is always painful for the Raiders. But getting trounced at home 28-0 was just embarrassing.
• Losing four out of their last five games to end the season, including an embarrassing collapse against the Lions and the disastrous finale versus the Chargers.

BEST PLAYS

• Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal versus Denver – Tied for the league’s longest kick and gave the Raiders a 16-3 halftime lead. Oh, Janikowski didn’t really hit it cleanly.
• Moore’s 50-yard TD catch in Buffalo – That gave Oakland a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bills eventually won, 38-35.
• Huff’s INT versus Houston – The free-safety sealed the game with his interception, as time expired, and with the Raiders one-man short.
• Lechler’s TD – Oakland went up 24-7 against the Browns when Shane Lechler connected with Kevin Boss for a 35-yard score, off a fake field goal.
• Heyward-Bey’s 53-yard catch to set up the game winning field goal in overtime against the Chiefs.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

• Wimbley’s sack parade vs. the Chargers.
• Carson Palmer’s 14-20 for 299 and 2 scores against the Chargers.
• McFadden’s 171-yards rushing vs. the Jets.
• Michael Bush’s record breaking night against San Diego.
• Janikowski’s six field goals vs. the Bears.

BEST PASS BY A NON-QB

Shane Lechler’s TD to Kevin Boss.

WORST PASSES BY A QB

How many did Kyle Boller attempt vs. the Chiefs?

MID-SEASON ACQUISITION THAT WILL STICK AROUND…

Aaron Curry

MID-SEASON ACQUISITIONS THAT WILL NOT STICK AROUND…

Lito Sheppard

BEST QUOTE

“I’m watching [the] History Channel and Fox Sports Soccer.” – Tommy Kelly after being eliminated and asked if he would watch the playoffs.

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With a 38-26 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, the Oakland Raiders finished 8-8 for the second year in a row, and failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey hauls in one of his nine receptions against the Chargers on Sunday

Instead, the Denver Broncos benefit from the Raiders loss as they will be going to the postseason representing the AFC West because of a divisional record tie breaker.

The Raiders were unable to find the success they achieved when they took on the Chargers in week 10, when they beat the Chargers 24-17.

In front of a sold-out crowd at O.co Coliseum, the Raiders were able to orchestrate the first scoring drive after safety Matt Giordano intercepted Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers at the 5 yard line.

On 3rd and three from the three yard line, Carson Palmer found wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey in the corner of the end zone to put the Raiders up 7-0. Heyward-Bey finished the game with nine receptions for 130 yards, and a touchdown.

The Chargers were able to respond when Rivers found his athletic tight end Antonio Gates for a 38-yard touchdown catch that tied the game at 7-7.

Already down 14-10, the Raiders special teams struggled as they saw Chargers return man Richard Goodman return Sebastian Janikowski’s kickoff 105 yards back for a touchdwon, giving them the 21-10 lead.

Oakland was able to cut the Chargers lead to just one score early in the fourth quarter when Palmer found Kevin Boss for 22-yard touchdown, to bring the score to 31-26.

Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer finished 28/43 for 417 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

But much like the rest of the season, Oakland’s defense could not get the big stop when they needed it most to keep their season alive. With a little under seven minutes remaining in the game, Rivers found his wide receiver Malcom Floyd for a 43 yard touchdown and increase the Chargers lead to 38-26.

The 12-point lead proved to be too much for the Raiders to overcome as on the next drive Palmer threw an interception on the Chargers 20 yard line, essentially icing the game and ending the Raiders season.

The 8-8 record this season matches the Raiders record last year, but this time the Raiders could have made the playoffs with just one more win.

Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers finished 19/26 for three touchdowns and one interception

Palmer finished the game 28/43 for 417 yards, two touchdowns and one interception; running back Michael Bush proved to be ineffective, finishing with 19 carries for only 66 yards.

Because of the Raiders loss, the Broncos make the postseason and will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of playoffs.

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SBReport.net wishes everyone a festive evening and a Happy New Year. As we sign out 2011, we bring in a new year with some resolutions for the Oakland Raiders:

Kyle Boller, QB

As soon as Jason Campbell was lost for the season, Oakland pulled the trigger on the Carson Palmer deal. Boller, who started the Raiders first game right after, bombed with three interceptions in the first half versus the Chiefs and never saw action again in 2011.

Resolution: To find a way to obtain the trust of any team as a back-up quarterback.

Kevin Boss, TE

After back-to-back 500 yard-plus seasons with the New York Giants, the tight end, who inked a deal with $8 million in guarantees, has had his number of targets and touches go down dramatically in this wide-receiver friendly system that also have dangerous pass catchers out of the backfield.

Resolution: Boss will draw-up a few more plays himself and sneak them into Hue Jackson’s playbook.

Tyvon Branch, SS

The starting string safety was named a Pro-Bowl alternate this week after a solid campaign.

Resolution: More impact plays in 2012 to ensure he gets the attention needed to make it to Hawaii.

The Oakland Front Office

Resolution: Find a general manager to work in cohesion with Hue Jackson.

Michael Bush, RB

He has compiled 1,316 total yards from scrimmage this year – not too shabby for a back up.

Resolution: To get a big payday. After injuries derailed his final season at Louisville, the rusher missed at a chance of going higher in the draft and earning a lot more money.

Jason Campbell, QB

He was Jackson’s quarterback till the injury. Now, with Palmer in the mix, if he wants to start, Campbell will have to go elsewhere.

Resolution: To find a team that desperately needs a quarterback. There aren’t many options and with Vince Young and Kyle Orton out there, it will be very difficult for Campbell to realistically start anywhere.

Aaron Curry, LB

Resolution: To fulfill his high draft-day expectations as a member of the Silver & Black after Seattle gave up on his career.

Jacoby Ford, WR

Resolution: Better conditioning on those lower extremities. A quad injury, hamstring issues and a foot ailment have been some of things the second year talent had dealt with in 2011.

Matt Giordano, S

Resolution: To parlay this solid campaign in Oakland into a multi-year deal.

Tommy Kelly, DT

Resolution: To make the Pro Bowl in 2012.

Rolando McClain, LB

Last year’s resolution: “To land jaw-dropping hits on opponents that weigh over 190 pounds and leave his impression on the Raider defense.

Resolution: See above. Oh, and stay out of the police blotter.

Darren McFadden, RB

Resolution: Play 16-games!

Carson Palmer, QB

Resolution: Regain his form with a full camp and pre-season – he’s not that far away.

Stanford Routt, CB

Resolution: To cut down on the flags… then we’ll hear talk about him being one of the AFC’s top cornerbacks.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

Our resolution last year for him was: “To break the 50-catch mark in 2011. Thirty-five career catches for a seventh overall selection – the letters B.U.S.T are ominous.” Well, mission accomplished.

Resolution: To become the ‘go-to guy’ in Oakland and turn into a versatile pass catcher on short and deep routes.

Chaz Schilens, WR

Resolution: To bottle-up whatever he took prior to the season and give it to McFadden and Ford. Schilens’ 2011 was not decimated by injuries.

Jared Veldheer, LT and Stefen Wisniewski, LG

Resolution: To get to Hawaii as a tandem.

Kamerion Wimbley, LB

Resolution: More sacks against teams not named the San Diego Chargers.

Here are last year’s resolutions for Campbell, DHB, McClain, Veldheer and others:

Oakland Raiders: New Year’s resolutions for 2011

Not bad, huh?

Happy New Year to everyone in the Raider Nation!

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Richard Seymour

I’ve talked about the veteran showing up and leading by example, and how he has failed to do so in vital games this season. Well, today, Seymour keyed Oakland’s road win with two blocked field goals. At the end of the half, with the game tied at three, Seymour got his hands on a Ryan Succop’s kick, his first miss since September. Then, with momentum on the Chiefs’ side and the game clock hitting all zeros, Seymour blocked Succop’s game winning attempt to send the game into overtime.

He also led a charge on a 4^th down that Kansas City could not convert on.

Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey

Both wide receivers made important plays all afternoon. After a Hue Jackson time out in the 3^rd quarter, on a 2^nd and 18, Moore streaked pass Kansas City’s safety and Carson Palmer hit him for a 61-yard score. That gave Oakland a 10-3 lead.

On the first play of overtime, Heyward-Bey hauled in a 53-yard bomb, which set up the game-clinching field goal. Jackson stated: “Sometimes you save a play in your pocket,” Romeo Crennel said after the game that on both plays, the safeties were victimized and it was similar coverage played in both critical downs.

“We set it up all day with the run and then called it. That was Carson Palmer at his finest,” Oakland’s head coach was quoted after the game.

Moore had four catches for 94-yards and Heyward-Bey finished with 70-yards on four grabs.

Special Teams

Bryan McCann: Oakland got going quickly on the road with McCann’s 91-yard return. That set-up Sebastian Janikowski’s first field goal of the game and gave the Raiders a quick 3-0 lead in the opening minutes.

Shane Lechler boomed a 76-yard punt that helped altered field position and Janikowski had three field goals (28, 31, 36). John Fassel almost pulled off another touchdown on a fake field goal, but it was nullified by a delay of game. Brandon Myers scampered 36-yards to paydirt on a beautifully executed fake.

The dangerous combo of Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas were held to 44-yards of total return yards.

Matt Giordano and Stanford Routt

Routt had some chain moving penalties and was beaten by Dwayne Bowe for a touchdown late in the 4^th quarter, but he had a crucial interception earlier to thwart a Kansas City drive. Giordano also had a momentum swinging pick in the end zone that he returned 62-yards, on a 3^rd and 3 when the Chiefs looked like they were going in for a score.

MORE FROM THE GAME…

PENALTIES A-PLENTY

Oakland had 15 penalties for 92-yards. Many of them wiped away good plays or extended Kansas City drives. The Chiefs were also infracted many times, tallying 88-yards on 11 penalties. There were two illegal formation flags on Oakland when they tried to bulk up the line with additional linemen on (S.Heyer & K.Barnes), a holding on Jared Veldheer that nullified a nice Michael Bush run and the delay of game on the Myers score.

“They’ve been playing good defense and we knew it was going to be a physical game, that it was going to be ugly,” Palmer said. “We talked about getting an ugly win. An ugly win is always better than a pretty loss.”

The Raiders have been penalized 155 times for 1,293 yards this season. Kansas City has the NFL record with 158 for 1,304, set in 1998.

WHERE’S THE RUN?

Inexplicably, Jackson was pass happy with his play calling early in the contest against the 24^th ranked rush defense. Bush had a workmanlike 23-carries for 70-yards, but with Palmer throwing early picks and pressured into miscues, it could’ve been in Oakland’s best interest to establish more of a run presence.

Jackson said: “When you win like this, you take the win however you can get it, especially this late in the season. We should enjoy this. Last week we lost a game like this. I wish we could win 40-12, but we haven’t had one of those yet.”

CRENNEL AFTERWARDS…

“We had a couple of field goals blocked, we got a couple balls thrown over our head, we turned the ball over a couple times. In the NFL, it’s hard to win when you do those kinds of things.”

UGLY BOTH WAYS…

It wasn’t pretty either way, as both teams combined for 26 penalties, 6-of-23 on 3^rd downs and both passers had two interceptions apiece.

Oakland allowed 435-total yards of offense and were bad on defense late when they needed to close the game.

McCluster’s 49-yard catch and run, weaving through Chuck Bresnahan’s defense was troubling, especially after they surrendered the lead last weekend versus the Lions. After Janikowski gave the Raiders a seven point lead, Kansas City drove 80-yards on five plays to tie the game with 1:02 remaining.
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Following a last-minute touchdown by the Detroit Lions that handed the Oakland Raiders their third straight loss, the Raiders now need some help from other teams in order to find themselves in the postseason for the first time since 2002.

Rookie wide receiver Denarius Moore will return to his punt-returning duties for the Raiders this week

In order to make the playoffs by winning the AFC West, the Raiders must win their final two games and get some help from the team they play this week, the Kansas City Chiefs. In order for the Raiders to catch up to the first place Denver Broncos, the Chiefs must defeat the Broncos in the final week of the season. This would give the Raiders a 4-2 divisional record, and the Broncos a 3-3 divisional record, giving the AFC West crown to the Raiders.

Winning the AFC West is definitely the desired outcome, as it would give the Raiders a first-round playoff game at home. But the Raiders have another possible route to the postseason but also requires help from the rest of the NFL.

In order to win the last AFC wildcard spot, the Raiders still need to go 2-0 but also have the Cincinnati Bengals go 0-2, or 1-1 with losing to the Ravens in week 17, and the Tennessee Titans, and New York Jets lose at least one of their remaining games to get the Raiders into the playoffs because of the conference record tie-breaker.

Bottom line is that the Oakland Raiders must first start by defeating division rival Kansas City Chiefs at noisy Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs are coming off of a week in which they saw former head coach Todd Haley get fired and then witnessed interim head coach Romeo Crennel lead them to a win against the then-undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Carson Palmer made his Raider debut against the Chiefs in week 7, but finished 8-21 with three interceptions

The Raiders last took on the Chiefs in week 7, the same week that they acquired quarterback Carson Palmer from the Bengals. Following an emergency entrance of Palmer in the second half, the Chiefs ended the game with six interceptions total on Palmer and starting quarterback Kyle Boller. Palmer finished the game 8-21 for 116 yards and three interceptions after being on the Raiders roster for just a few days.

Palmer will hope to have a much different day against the Chiefs this week as he takes on their ninth best pass defense. The Chiefs are only allowing 209.6 opposing passing yards per week thus far.

Unfortunately for Palmer, it looks like he will not be seeing the return of wide receiver Jacoby Ford this week either, as he has still not returned to practice from his foot injury. After returning last week from his own foot injury, it looks as if rookie Denarius Moore will get the start again along side Darrius Heyward-Bey who is having a breakout season and becoming a favorite target of Palmer.

Head coach Hue Jackson also hinted that Moore is likely to be used as the Raiders primary punt returner on Sunday in hopes of providing a spark.

With the return of star running back Darren McFadden nowhere in sight yet, it will be Michael Bush who once again gets the nod. Bush has a career-high 841 yards this season thus far, and hopes to break the 1,000-yard mark for the first time of his career.

Rookie speedster Taiwan Jones returned to practice this week and will provide a solid option should Jackson look to spell Bush with a quicker, shiftier back.

Jones and Bush will be going up against a Chiefs defense that is ranked 24th in the NFL, allowing 130.4 yards per game on the ground.

Oakland’s defense will be facing a different Chiefs quarterback than the one they faced earlier this season, yet it is a familiar face indeed. Incumbent starter Matt Cassel was placed on the IR with an injury to his throwing hand, causing the Chiefs to claim former Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton off of waivers.

In their only meeting with Orton this season thus far, Orton finished 24-46 for 304 yards, one interception and one touchdown as the Raiders came away with the 23-20 win in Denver for the season opener.

Rookie running back Taiwan Jones returns this week from injury to give Hue Jackson some more depth at the running back position

The Raiders defense has proven to give up the big play and is allowing 243.8 passing yards per game, including 391 yards to the Lions last week. The Raiders will need to keep an eye on star wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who leads the team with 69 receptions for 986 yards and four touchdowns.

Oakland will also need to contain the Chief’s rushing attack, which is composed of veteran Thomas Jones, utility back Dexter McCluster and their bruising back Jackie Battle, who were all forced to take on a larger role after star running back Jamaal Charles went down with a torn ACL in week 2.

The Raiders gave up 139 yards to the Chiefs in their week-seven meeting, and will look to slow the Chiefs down this week. In order to do this, middle linebacker Rolando McClain and the rest of the defense will have to maintain gap control and not over pursue.

The Raiders must also find a way to cut down on their penalties, not only if they hope to win the remaining two games, but also if they hope to not break the record that is currently held by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs.

With two weeks remaining in the season, the Raiders are 109 penalty yards short of the Chiefs 1,340 penalty yards, and 19 penalties short of their 158 penalties in 1998.

Should the Raiders defeat the Chiefs on Sunday, they must finish the season strong by defeating the San Diego Chargers in their final game of the season at O.Co Coliseum on New Year’s Day.

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CARSON PALMER

Oakland’s starting quarterback had a ominous start, missing a streaking Denarius Moore in what could have been an early touchdown. But he sizzled all afternoon, ending 32-of-40 for 367-yards, one touchdown and no turnovers. He made some stellar throws after his 1^st quarter miss and held on to the football on a late sack. Palmer commented after the game, “It would be easy to go in the tank and say, ‘We blew our opportunity,’ but we have a good group of leadership, and we understand where we are, and obviously we desperately needed this win. It didn’t work out. But we’ve got two big games left, and who knows what happens with other teams. We need help obviously, but we’ve got to get over it.”

DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY

He looked every-bit like a ‘go to’ target today. Calvin Johnson had nine catches for 214 yards and two scores, but the Raider speedster continued his breakout year with eight receptions for 155-yards and a touchdown.

Palmer on many plays went confidently to DHB and on the 43-yard score, the receiver hauled in a nice toss, took a push from the Lions cornerback and bolted into the end zone.

His fumble was critical, as it slowed a Raider drive that would’ve surely ended with points deep in Detroit territory.

HUE JACKSON

The coach’s decision not to take three-points in the first quarter, instead going for it on a 4^th and 1 from the Detroit 24-yard line may have ultimately hurt the Raiders.

His play calling was solid, using the Lions aggressiveness to his advantage with many screens and some reverses. Louis Murphy scored on a 12-yard end around and Marcel Reece, Kevin Boss and Michael Bush wiggled free on some screens.

CHUCK BRESNAHAN

For three-quarters, his defense saved him a week of bashing from fans. They played inspired football, held the Lions on a 3^rd and 4^th down on back-to-back downs in the second half, put points on the board and looked gritty for most of the game. Then in the final 7:47, Bresnahan’s bunch let Matthew Stafford march up and down the field.

Calvin Johnson torched the safeties on his first score and then inexplicably, had a linebacker [Rolando McClain] and a back-up safety [Jerome Boyd] chasing after him on a backbreaking 48-yard catch.

The defense allowed 432-yards of offense, 375 of them were via the air.

AARON CURRY

Continues to be the fiercest linebacker on the unit, since his arrival. Tommy Kelly forced the Stafford fumble and Curry walked in after picking up the fumble, giving Oakland a 27-14 lead in the 4^th quarter.

Aaron Curry and Tyvon Branch were fiery during their match-up versus the Lions.

TYVON BRANCH

His defensive mates in the secondary did not help him out much. Had a 76-yard return wiped away due to a penalty, as he took over for the injured Bryan McCann.

ROLANDO MCCLAIN

Had another sack this week and seven solo tackles, but was caught in come compromising situations late in the game that hurt the team.

MICHAEL BUSH

Had 77-yards on 18-carries and another 62-yards receiving. Yes, Oakland’s ran for 132-yards, but it appeared that everything was stemming off their passing attack. What was once a powerful Oakland ground attack is just now an accessory.

THE DEFENSE

Stanford Routt was paired up many times with Calvin Johnson.

As a whole, the unit played well through three-quarters. Lito Sheppard had some nice hits, Stanford Routt jarred balls loose and it appeared that they would keep the Lions one-dimensional all afternoon. But that one-aspect of the Lions terrorized the defense the final seven minutes and washed away any good will the defense had built up, till that point. Mike Mitchell stated after the game: “I just have to get this feeling that’s inside of me right now out of me and the only way to do that is to play them on Sunday and get a shot at another game. … I don’t think anybody on our team feels good right now.”

FINAL STATS

• Raiders were 1-of-9 on third downs. The Lions were 8-of-17.
• Detroit tallied 432-yards of total offense – Oakland 477.
• Oakland finished with 10 penalties for 86 yards. The Lions had a hefty tally themselves, notching nine for 72-yards.
• Stafford was brilliant, compiling 391-yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
• The AFC playoff picture looks like this: 1. Patriots 2. Ravens 3. Texans 4. Broncos 5. Steelers 6. Jets.

CHATTER

Richard Seymour was quoted after the game:“We took this one on the chin, and we didn’t make the plays in crucial situations that we needed to, especially defensively, at the end of the game, and that will get you beat.”
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A week after suffering a devastating loss to the Miami Dolphins the task does not get any less challenging for the Oakland Raiders. This week, the Raiders head to chilly Lambeau Field to take on the undefeated Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.

Including the playoffs last year and this year’s regular season play, the Packers have won 18 consecutive games, second to only the New England Patriots who won 21

Lambeau Field - Home of the Green Bay Packers

straight games from 2003-2004.

After leading his team to their Super Bowl victory in February, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP-like season. This season, Rodgers, who was born in Chico, Calif. and went to the University of California-Berkeley,  is completing an astonishing 70.6 percent of his passes for 3,844 yards, 37 touchdowns and only five interceptions thus far this season.

Rodgers and Green Bay’s passing game could pose problems for a Raiders defense that has had a problem of giving up big plays in the air this season. The Raiders are currently 17th in the league with 231.9 passing yards allowed per game.

Corner back Stanford Routt and his secondary will have their work cut out for them this week as they take on Rodgers and his explosive wide receivers that include Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Jennings has hauled in 65 receptions for 929 yards and nine touchdowns and Nelson has hauled in nine touchdowns and 876 yards of his own.

In order to help relieve the linebackers and secondary, the defensive line will need to be able to apply pressure on Rodgers and disrupt the timing of plays. The return of

Corner back Stanford Routt and the secondary will have their hands full with Green Bay's passing offense

pass rusher Jarvis Moss should help the rest of the defensive line rush the passer. Moss returned to practice this week after missing the last three games due to injury.

The Packers offensive line has allowed the 11th most sacks in the league with 29. The Raiders are tied for fifth in the NFL for the most sacks with 33 on the season.

Much to the pleasure of the Raiders defense, they face a weak Packers rushing offense. The Packers have the third worst rushing offense, only averaging 96.5 yards on the ground per game.

The Raiders have again struggled against the run this year, which has seemingly been an annual problem of late. The Raiders are allowing 141.4 rushing yards per game this year.

Packers starting running back James Starks went down last week with an ankle injury, it is looking like backup Ryan Grant will get the call as the starting running back. Grant ran for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown the last time the Raiders and Packers met in 2007.

The Raiders still are without wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore, along with star running back Darren McFadden. All three have yet to practice this week and remain in doubt to be on the field for the Silver & Black come Sunday.

This means that the Raiders will once again likely be starting Michael Bush at running back. Bush struggled last week with only 10 carries for 18 yards against the Dolphins, but faces a Packers defense that is allowing 105.1 yards per game. Rookie running back Taiwan Jones is also expected to miss the game after missing practice this week with a hamstring injury.

With the injuries to Moore and Ford, the Raiders will likely start Darrius Heyward-Bey and Chaz Schilens at wide receiver.

Going up against a porous Packers pass defense that has allowed 292.8 passing yards per game, second worst in the league thus far.

The Raiders will look to control the lines on both sides of the ball

This means that Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer and his wide receivers should be able to find room to get the offense going through the air.

Palmer and the Raiders offense will be facing former Raiders Charles Woodson, who played his first eight seasons in the NFL wearing the silver & black before going to the Green Bay Packers. Woodson suffered a concussion during their game last week, but has returned to practice and is expected to start against his former team.

With the Broncos continuing their winning streak, the Raiders now find themselves outside of the playoffs looking in. They must win more games than the Broncos down the stretch to win the AFC West, and are also in the hunt for one of the AFC Wild Card slots.