Silver and Black Report

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Oakland Raiders’ offensive coordinator Al Saunders and Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham have a long history together.

Both teamed up for the first time at California in the 1970s before coaching together at the pro-level with the Chargers in the 1980s and the Kansas City Chiefs in varying stints through the 1990s and 2000s.

“We’ve had a long history together,” Saunders said. “Our wives are the closest of friends. Our children grew up together. I know when you compete against a Gunther-coached defense, you’re going to compete against players that will play for 60 minutes in a very violent fashion and a very emotional fashion. That’s the way he coaches, and that’s the way his players play.”

With a familiarity of the AFC West, Cunningham also is aware of the perils his Lions are heading into when they face the ravenous fans of the Silver & Black.

“I was in [that division] forever with three different teams,” Cunningham said. “I know a little bit about these guys. It’s an interesting place to play. I’m looking forward to going there and I know what’s going to happen the minute I walk on the field. Some of those fans, they are not going away.

“The only thing I don’t like is they call my family members a lot of bad names. I look forward to coaching there. We had a good run when I was in Kansas City. We played against them when I was in San Diego. Now I’m playing against them with the Lions. I can’t wait to get there.”

NOTES

Denarius Moore will likely suit up on Sunday. “We got to ease him back in to this, but he looked like he’s back up and rolling,” Jackson said of his rookie target, who could be on offense, but will likely be held from any special team duties.

The game is a sellout and will be broadcasted locally. Oakland has met the capacity demands in all seven of their home games in 2011.

Pro Bowl voting has one week left and it appears that both Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler will be in on the strength of fan voting – which accounts for one-third of the tally. The coaches and players also get to select.

“He splits double-teams, he pushes double-teams out of the way,” Carson Palmer said of Ndamukong Suh, who makes his return from suspension. “He’s a guy that we’re very focused on, and we’re going to understand where he’s at at all times, and you have to because he’s a heck of a player.”

Rolando McClain spoke on Monday on various topics in a meeting with the media. On the incident which led him to be photographed in the hands of Authorities, he stated, “I won’t comment on it. I haven’t and I won’t.” On Oakland’s playoff chances, he said, “I’ve always been a guy that liked to stay in control of my own destiny. We had that control when we were leading the West. We gave up that by losing two games. All we can do now is go out and play football, good football and win games. And we have to rely on somebody else to lose, which is out of our hands now.”

Tom Brady is 1-6 against the Broncos overall. A Denver loss and a Oakland win would knot them back atop the West. “I don’t think we’ve peaked yet,” Champ Bailey said. “That’s going to be the key. We’ve got to keep improving because the good teams that are in the playoffs play great this time of year. So if we stay focused on getting better every week, the sky’s the limit.”
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Here’s a summary of the best and worst for the Oakland Raiders (8-8) in the 2010 season:

MVP (Offense)

Darren McFadden, RB

By far Oakland’s most valuable offensive performer with 1,664-combined yards from scrimmage. Ten times he hit paydirt with either amazing runs or impressive scampers after catching the football.

Honorable Mention:

Robert Gallery, LG: He played next to a rookie for most of the season and is the steadiest along the trenches.

MVP (Defense)

Tommy Kelly, DT

Led all AFC tackles with 7.0 sacks and was the most consistent performer along the defensive line all season.

Honorable Mention:

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB: The best cornerback in the NFL. Made the Pro Bowl, was barely tested all year and was hobbled towards the end of the season.

LVP (Least Valuable Player) – Offense

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

The coaches can rave about his work ethic all they want, facts are, he has poor instincts as a receiver and is headed towards bust status.

Honorable Mention:

Chaz Schilens, WR

Nine catches for 40-yards and one score for the season. Most of 2010, he was injured and/or recovering from his ailments.

LVP (Least Valuable Player) – Defense

Chris Johnson, CB

Far too often, the target of opponents with Asomugha on the other side. The beneficiary of DeAngelo Hall’s departure in 2008, cashing in on his three interceptions, 12 passes defended and a forced fumble after replacing the dumped corner.

Honorable Mention:

Thomas Howard, LB

One of the locks to clean out his locker room for good this week. Barely made it onto the field in 2010.

Best Coach:

Hue Jackson, OC

Oakland ranked 31st in offense in 2009 and scored 197-points. In 2010, they ranked 10th and ended with 410-points.

MVP Special Teams:

Jacoby Ford, KR

Exciting to watch and always electric with the football in his hands. Had comparable stats to all the top return men in the AFC and had three kickoffs for scores.

Get Back Healthy:

Trevor Scott, DE/LB

Went on injured reserve. Wherever he played, Oakland got production. A solid veteran on and off the field.

Best 1^st Year Raider (non-rookie)

Kamerion Wimbley, LB

The Raiders got a starting linebacker and nine-sacks from Wimbley in 2010. All they gave up was a third round choice.

Best 1^st Year Raider on Offense (rookie)

Jared Veldheer, LT

Yes, you can make a case for Ford, but Veldheer played more reps at a tougher position as a rookie. Now, he looks to be the Silver & Black’s left tackle for years to come.

Best 1^st Year Raider on Defense (rookie)

Lamarr Houston, DE

Five sacks and improved play as the year went on. Beats out first rounder Rolando McClain, by far.

Underrated Player of the Year

Matt Shaughnessy, DE

Seven sacks and solid edge play all year. He has the look of a defensive end that will have a long and fruitful career. And if he continues to produce those types of sack numbers, he’ll be a very rich man very soon.

Honorable Mention:

Rock Cartwright, RB

Fiery vocal veteran that was unsung on special teams all season.

Energizer Award:

Mike Mitchell, SS

Loves to blitz, savors landing big hits. Even if the impact isn’t grand, he’ll get up and let you know it was.

The Perfect Timing Award:

Michael Huff, FS

Was in on 77-tackles, had 4.0 sacks and 3 interceptions. A possible unrestricted free agent, Huff may look to cash in. Still inconsistent, but at least he has numbers to justify his contract demands.

Best WR who is not a WR:

Marcel Reece, FB

Looked sharper in his route running than Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy or Johnnie Lee Higgins.

Honorable Mention:

Khalif Barnes, OL

No other Raider wide receiver was money. HA – seriously, two targets and two completions including a touchdown.

Say Farewell to…

• Bruce Gradkowski, QB: Jason Campbell belongs under center, without the fragile Gradkowski looking over his shoulder.
• Nick Miller, PR: Provides little when he actually returns a punt and doesn’t fair catch it deep in own territory. Does not look like a pro on the field.

We should see more of in 2011…

• Finding ways to get Jacoby Ford the ball in space. Bubble screens, receiver screens, end arounds and more importantly, receptions down the field, as he develops into a well-rounded receiver.
• Blitzing: Wow, when Tyvon Branch, Huff or Mitchell came in from their safety spots, Oakland did a lot of damage to opposing passers.
• The Michael Bush & McFadden combo: The Raiders need to keep that tandem together to spearhead their offense.

We should see less of in 2011…

• Blackouts – There you go fans; the Raiders just gave you a .500 season. Now fill the seats and support during home games.
• AFC West victories: It is unlikely the Raiders sweep their division again in 2011. If they do, they better take care of business outside the AFC West.
• Heyward-Bey: I know he gets paid a lot of money, was a 1^st rounder and the owner wants to see him succeed, but it will be a shame if one of the younger wide-outs get less reps because of DHB’s presence.

The Raiders will miss…

George Blanda and Jack Tatum. Oh, the players will miss Tom Cable if he’s not giving another year at the helm.

The Raiders have not missed…

JaMarcus Russell

Best Hit(s)

Rolando McClain slamming Danny Amendola and knocking out Darren Sproles.

Best Moments:

Sebastian Janikowski after nailing the game winning FG in overtime vs. Chiefs

• Raiders blocking back-to-back punts vs. the Chargers and building an early lead against their rivals. Eventually, the crowd was treated to a last second defensive stand that featured a Tyvon Branch 64-yard fumble return for a score.
• All 59-points during Oakland’s annihilation of the Broncos.
• The three-game winning streak before the bye week.
• Ford’s opening kickoff of the 2^nd half and overtime victory against the Chiefs.
• Any of McFadden’s dazzling runs, especially his 36-yard run vs. the Jaguars with 1:53 left in the game that was capped with a jolting stiff arm.
• Closing the season at Arrowhead with a victory.

Worst Moments:

• Sebastian Janikowski missing a 32-yard field goal in Arizona as time expired during the Raiders 24-23 loss versus the Cardinals.
• Failing to win back-to-back games at San Francisco, and losing to the winless 49ers, 17-9.
• Allowing 205-rushing yards to the Titans in the season opener.
• Losing two ten point leads at Jacksonville.
• Back-to-back losses, at Pittsburgh where they got dominated physically, and against Miami, which was a lackluster effort.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders will have their ninth straight blacked out home game because it failed to sell out by Thursday’s deadline.

Oakland’s last televised home game was the 2009 opener. Since 1995, the Silver & Black have had 78 of 122 games blacked out for local residents.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The high-powered Houston Texans offense (2-1) and the third ranked Oakland Raiders (1-2) defense will meet on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum. Last weekend, the Raiders failed to come away with a road victory after Sebastian Janikowski missed three field goals, including one as time expired that would have given them the win. Houston lost 27-13 at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Michael Bush will get more involved this weekend after Tom Cable got his feet wet on the road with 3-carries for 13-yards. The thumb passed the first test against Arizona, and now the Raiders can use both of their young rushers as they expected in the summer. Darren McFadden has taken advantage of Bush’s absence, becoming a productive every-down rusher with 345-rushing yards (4.7 per carry) in his first three contests.

Louis Murphy, who leads the Raiders with 15-receptions for 238 receiving yards, was back on the practice field on Thursday, but they are concerns about his injured clavicle. With Chaz Schilens still out and not looking to back anytime soon, the Raiders needs a healthy Murphy. Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey have combined for 25-of-the-28 catches made by wide receivers this season.

Robert Gallery (hamstring) is expected to be inactive again.

What to Expect:

The Texans rank second in the NFL versus the run, allowing a measly 54.3 yards per game. Oakland would like to keep McFadden rolling and merge Bush into the attack as well to give them a powerful ground game. With Gallery likely out and the Texans playing sold run defense (teams are attacking their weak secondary), the Raiders may  try to spread the ball around and use McFadden more as a wide receiver, especially if Murphy is not in tip-top form. Houston on the other hand allows a NFL worst 368.7 passing yards per game. So Bruce Gradkowski may have to pass and connect often if Oakland wants to put up points. With shaky tackle play and Mario Williams (4-sacks) on the other side, this could be a long day on offense for Oakland.

On Defense:

Nnamdi Asomugha shut down Larry Fitzgerald last week. But now, he faces another top target in Andre Johnson. Even though the Miami product has a bum ankle, he is expected to play and face the top cornerback in the league. “He’s a great player, arguably the best cornerback in the game,’’ Johnson said. “He doesn’t really have many balls thrown his way. It’s not shocking to see that.’’

Oakland’s pass defense ranks 2^nd in the NFL (127.7 yards allowed per game). Their run defense is not as tight, allowing a hefty 133.0 yards per game (24^th in the NFL).

They will need big efforts from Richard Seymour at the line of scrimmage and John Henderson, who was inactive last weekend against the Cardinals.

One of their tackles realize the importance of staying stout and staying consistent, especially when they face a rusher like Arian Foster and a high powered attack like Houston.

“We’ve got to play more attention to detail, a little more focus on every snap,” Tommy Kelly said. “We’re really good, stop, stop, stop – then they pop one. That’s frustrating.”

What to Expect:

How many times the Raiders blitz and how they try to contain Foster will be the key. Oakland cannot expose their secondary against Matt Schaub, who can pick apart any defense, so getting a four-man rush is imperative for John Marshall’s group. If they can’t get to Schaub with four-down linemen, then Oakland’s defense will be un-balanced and allow big yardage on Sunday. Foster likes to cut back and find creases in Houston’s zone-blocking system. This is a contest in which the Raider defensive tackles must stuff their gaps and the linebackers must stay disciplined.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Steve Slaton stuffed by the Raiders defense

On Offense:

Foster leads the NFL with 406-rushing yards and was named the AFC’s offensive player of the month.

Houston feels confident they can continue to roll with their hot-rusher, but can they protect their passer and get that aspect of the club going against a tough Raider secondary?

Schaub has been sacked 11-times this season – seconds most in the NFL. “We’ve got 11 sacks, way too damn many,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said, per the Associated Press. “I don’t care whose fault it is — mine, Matt’s, the O-line. We’ve got to fix it. We’ve got way too many.”

And if Johnson does not go, they have to find ways to get the football to Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and Owen Daniels.

“This team poses matchup problems for us,” Kubiak stated. “I think they’re third in defense in the league right now. They’ve got a great corner so obviously they can cause us problems.”

What to Expect:

A heavy workload for Foster will be in order. Oakland can be susceptible to the run and if Johnson can’t go, they will need a balanced attack against a front-four that has a few pass rushing threats.

On Defense:

Mario Williams could give Mario Henderson nightmares. The struggling Oakland left tackle, who could lose his job to rookie Jared Veldheer, talked about the versatile defensive end, stating, “Normally guys his size don’t have that much speed and quickness, and that’s the thing that makes him different from almost every guy in the league is the fact that most guys that are tall like him are kind of slow, but he’s extremely quick and has very long arms. He knows how to use all three, size speed and quickness.”

With a run defense that has not been tested, the spotlight is on the Texans secondary and how will they fare against a Raider aerial attack that isn’t that explosive, but has shown signs of life in recent weeks. Kareem Jackson is a player who has to step it up and he knows it.

“I’m going to have to go through adversity sometimes and unfortunately, now is that time for me,” said Houston’s first-round pick from Alabama. “I think I just need to go out this week and have a good weekend and just apply everything in practice to the game. I think I’ll be able to bounce back.”

“This guy has the benefit of playing corner as a rookie,” Asomugha said of the youngster. “He’s going to be able to improve a lot sooner than I was able to.”

What to Expect:

The Texans come into the contest boasting about a solid run defense. So they’ll lean on that and hope to apply a lot of pressure on Gradkowski to help out a struggling secondary. If Williams and the front-seven get to Oakland’s passer consistently, this could be a cakewalk for the Texans.

GAME NOTES

• In Oakland’s last three contest against the Texans, Asomugha has held WR Johnson to five catches for 94-yards and no scores.
• The game will be blacked out locally for the 78^th time in 122 home games since the team moved back to Oakland from Los Angeles in 1995.
• Last season, the Texans torched Oakland 29-6 at Reliant Stadium to start a span in which they won four of five games. In 2008, the Texans had a misstep in Oakland, falling 27-16, ending a four game winning streak.
• Paul Gutierrez of the Sacramento Bee stated on his twitter this week that the grass will be down at the Coliseum and the baseball infield will be gone for the contest.

KEY MATCH-UPS

How will the Raiders attack the Texans D?

Will they go with a heavy dosage of Bush and McFadden, or try to take advantage of a struggling Texans secondary with a spread offense? Bruce Gradkowski needs to be turnover free.

Can Oakland sow down Arian Foster?

If the Raiders can contain him, they can play freely versus the pass and try to get to Schaub.

PREDICTION

Texans 27 – Raiders 16

GAME INFO

Sunday, October 3, 2010 4:05 p.m. ET | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

Road Team: Hosuton Texans (2-1) Home: 1-1  Road: 0-1

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (1-2) Home: 1-0 Road: 0-2

BROADCAST INFORMATION (cited from the official Oakland Raiders web site)

The game will be televised on CBS with Gus Johnson providing play-by-play and former NFL player Steve Tasker handling color analysis.  If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game also airs on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. Greg Papa and Tom Flores will call the game on the Raiders Radio Network. The game will air live on Raiders Radio Network originating on KITS LIVE 105.3 FM and KFRC 1550 AM, with pre and post-game analysis on KFRC.. Papa and Raiders two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Flores will man the booth for the 13th straight year. The radio pregame and postgame shows will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm as well as local veteran radio personalities Bruce Magowan and Jason Ross.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders home opener on Sunday versus the St. Louis Rams will be blacked out on local television.

Oakland failed to sell out their stadium by Thursday’s 4:15 p.m. deadline, which elicited the blackout locally. This marks the eight straight blacked out game in the Bay Area. Their AFC West rivals – San Diego Chargers – will also have their game blacked out this weekend.

Since their arrival back to Oakland in 1995, the Silver & Black have had 76 of 120 home contests not available for locals.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Fullback Luke Lawton was banned four games by the NFL yesterday after reportedly violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

The 29-year old will not be available for the Silver & Black’s next two games and the first two games of the 2010 regular season. Lawton signed as a free agent with the Raiders on 2008 and has been a member of the Bills, Jets and Colts in his 5-year career.

Lawton will be a free-agent once the season ends, so any teams that decides to sign him will have to wait for his services till at least week-three of next year.

He will lose nearly $63,000 in salary.

Reserve Marcel Reece could be activated from the practice squad, but it is more likely that Gary Russell will get most of the reps at that position.

OTHER NOTES

• Zach Miller has been cleared to practice, but Brandon Myers has not, as both tight ends have sustained concussions in recent weeks. Miller has felt better as the week ended and feels that he could see action soon once he passes some final tests. “I think it’s called a post-accident concussion test,” Miller said. “It’s the same test I’ve taken four times already. I’m really close. I’ve been practicing, feeling fine practicing, so everything looks good.”
• If neither could go, that leaves Tony Stewart as the lone tight end. Erik Pears could be used again as an extra blocker on the edges to assist Stewart and added some bulk to a ground game that will look to pound the ball with Michael Bush and Darren McFadden.
• The Browns got an extension till 1 p.m. Saturday to try to avoid their first local blackout since 1995. Browns’ officials would not state how many more tickets needed to be sold to prevent the game to be seen within a 75-mile radius of downtown Cleveland.
• Since 2003, Cleveland has a record of 36-74. The Raiders are 29-81 during that same span.

Starting left guard Robert Gallery is out for the remainder of the season with a lower back strain injury sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.  Gallery hurt his back blocking on the trick hand-off to Darren McFadden and lateral to Bruce Gradkowski that loss 16-yards.

Tom Cable said after practice that the injury would require surgery. “He’s a very good player, was playing very well before he got hurt in Kansas City, so he comes back and gets back in the groove,” Cable stated. “It’s disappointing for him and our team. He’s not had these types of things that have kept him out of games in the past. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the game, and it does it to a lot of people.”

The former number two overall pick in the 2004 draft has been Oakland’s best lineman since being moved to guard in 2007.

So far in 2009, Gallery has missed time in camp due to an appendectomy and six-regular season games with a broken leg suffered during a week-two contest. If Samson Satele is healthy and ready to start at center, Chris Morris will take Gallery’s position in the line-up. If Satele cannot see action due to his strained calf, recently acquired Langston Walker will start at left guard for the first time in his career and Morris will man the center spot.

In the six-games Gallery has played in, the Raiders are averaging 120.3 rushing yards per game. During the six-games he was out, the team ran for an average of 89 yards per contest.

OTHER NEWS

• Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and defensive end Greg Ellis did not practice today. Both are not looking to be ready for Sunday’s game.
• The game will be blacked out for the sixth time this season. Against Cincinnati, the recorded attendance was 34,112.

ANALYSIS

He may not be the dominant all-pro tackle many predicted he would become prior to the 2004 draft, but Gallery’s presence will be sorely missed along the Raider trenches. The 29-year old is the best offensive lineman on the Raiders and one of the better run blocking interior lineman in the AFC. His mobility and ability to pave lanes on counters, sweeps and trap plays will effect the production on the ground. And that will directly effect what plays Tom Cable is able to call as the season winds down. With Bruce Gradkowski at the helm, Oakland has not relied upon the vitality of their rushers, as oppose to when JaMarcus Russell was in the line-up. So leaning more on the passing game, their fiery quarterback and the development of their young targets is in order for the Silver & Black. The Raiders are not a physical bunch along the offensive line. When they have short down and distances or goal line situations, it will be interesting to see how they handle their play-calling.

The Oakland Raiders (1-4) will face the Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) on Sunday at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Silver & Black are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and have been outscored 96-16 during that span. This game will mark the 11^th time both clubs have met in their history with the Eagles leading the regular season series 5-4, and the Raiders winning their lone playoff meeting, a 27-10 victory in Super Bowl XV.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

The Raiders just keep on getting worse by the week on offense. Tom Cable for weeks has said that they are working hard, getting better and trying to move in the right direction, but they have lost by 20, 23 and 37 in consecutive weeks. The team ranks 31^st in scoring (9.8 per game), 28^th in rushing (83.0 yards per game), 32^nd in passing (108.6 yards per game) and 31^st in 3^rd down conversion rates (25%). They are last in the league in time of possession as well, all signs of a grounded rush attack and a passing game that is non-existent.

With the offensive line also re-shuffled the last few games, Oakland must get back to basics versus the Eagles and run the ball with Michael Bush and Justin Fargas.

Oakland brought back Langston Walker on Wednesday after a few seasons away from the club. They re-signed him to try to sure up the right side of the line, but that may not happen this week. Ironically, Walker was on the 2006 Raiders; the worst scoring team in franchise history, but that team may be ousted from the top of the record books by this current crop.

“Hopefully I can come in and help this team at some point,” Walker said.

What to Expect:

So far, it appears that Chaz Schilens may be seeing action on Sunday. “He looked good in what he did so we’ll see,” Tom Cable stated on Wednesday after practice. His return alone will not be the cure for this offense. But at this point, any injection of energy will be welcomed to this gloomy bunch. Oakland will try to run often against the Eagles in hopes of loosening a unit that can bring the heat (13 sacks) and likes to put quarterbacks in third and long situations. JaMarcus Russell can’t carry this offense, his wide receivers are not very good and his tight end is their lone threat. So they need big games on the ground the rest of the year if they expect to win any games. If Schilens is on the field, the best they can hope is that he can make plays, push back the rookie targets down the depth chart to lesser roles and that his presence frees up Zach Miller for Russell to make plays.

On Defense:

Jon Alston will replace Ricky Brown in the starting line-up on Sunday after the starting strong side linebacker injured his ankle last week versus the Giants.

But that is the least of the Raiders worries right now, as their rush defense is allowing 185 yards per game during their three-game losing streak. After a promising week-one versus the Chargers, Oakland’s defense has gotten worse and looking like the team that has been poorest against the run since 2003. The addition of Richard Seymour was supposed to fix some of the issues they had along the trenches, but that has not been the case lately.

With losses piling up and the performances getting worse, its hard for some on this team not to go into panic or give up mood since they have seen this play out the same way for many years. “I think as a professional you have to be able to, whether a good play happened or a bad play, you have to move on to the next,” Seymour commented. “We can’t move forward looking to our rearview mirror. I think that’s going to help us being able to put things behind us and move forward.

What to Expect:

The Raiders just don’t have enough firepower on either side of the ball. And pride alone many not be enough when you face a team like the Eagles who can put up points in bunches. Oakland does not always play with pride, and this is why facing a team like the Eagles with players that are dynamic on offense could be too much to handle. Philadelphia is getting in a groove with their quarterback, a rookie wide receiver who made his mark last week, a multi-dimensional rusher and a back-up passer that has made a play or two in this league with his arm, and more dangerously, his feet.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

On Offense:

The Eagles got Donovan McNabb back last week and he threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns; demonstrating that all is well since hurting his ribs in the season opener.

Philadelphia will lean on running backs LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook this week, as both have combined for 296 yards rushing this season and two scores on the ground. The tandem has caught 8 passes each for 101 yards, displaying the diversity of this Eagles attack.

DeSean Jackson (13 receptions 260 yards 2 touchdowns), Jeremy Maclin (12 rec. 187 yards 2 TD) and Jason Avant (11 rec. 123 yards 1 TD) round out McNabb’s options at wide receiver. But the team’s leading target has been Brent Celek with 26 grabs for 303 yards and two scores.

What to Expect:

The offensive line, featuring tackles Winston Justice and Jason Peters, should manhandle the Raiders front four. The Eagles will be able to run the ball and confuse Oakland with their wide array of screens, misdirection plays and any trickery they have in their playbook. Jackson has 6 carries for 48 yards this season and Michael Vick, who saw action in the 4^th quarter last week, could be used in some plays to exploit an aggressive Raider defensive line.

On Defense:

Philadelphia’s pass defense currently ranks 4^th in the league allowing 171.5 yards per game. The vertically impaired Raiders will not challenge that facet of their defensive unit.

So their rush defense (ranked 13^th) should expect a heavy workload their way. Leading tacklers, linebackers Akeem Jordan and Omar Gaither and safety Quintin Mikell will try to blockade the Raiders rush attack.

Defensive end Trent Cole leads the team with 4-sacks, while his bookend Darren Howard has 2. Cole likes blowouts, and he stated this after last week’s win commenting, “I don’t ever want to have a close game.”

“That’s the worst, having a close game. We want to be on top all the time. We want to go out there and win and have no problems. We want to have a smooth, clean game, get on top and pull away as far as we can and don’t let up.”

What to Expect:

This team may have a shot at putting away this game early and enjoying another easy victory. The Eagles will stack the line of scrimmage, pressure Russell at any point they can and keep the Raiders in 3^rd and long situations. The secondary is not afraid of their wide receivers and their aggressiveness may pay off with turnovers.

GAME NOTES

• Although they never played together while at California, DeSean Jackson and Nnamdi Asomugha, good friends, will be matched-up several times on Sunday. “He’s a great player,” Jackson said this week. “I respect him, but I still have to do my job and go out there and get open as a wide receiver. I know him personally, so we’ll go out there and we’ll see how it goes.”  ”I know DeSean very well,” Asomugha said. “We’re both from the Los Angeles area. We keep in contact here and there and I’ve known him since Cal because I was out here. I’m very happy for him. I’m very impressed with the way he plays. He’s a playmaker.”Jackson is a threat on special teams, and the Raiders have been lackluster there too this season. The speedy Eagle has a touchdown already on a punt return, so Oakland will have to be at their best even though they have allowed the most punt return yards in the league so far in 2009.
• The Raiders waived fullback Oren O’Neal when they signed Walker this week. If he goes unclaimed, O’Neal will return to the Raiders on injured reserve.
• Oakland failed to sell out the game 72-hours prior to the contest, so the game will be blacked out. It’s the Raiders second consecutive blackout and 71^st since the team returned to Oakland in 1995.

KEY MATCH-UPS

How to contain DeSean Jackson?

The Eagles can line him up anywhere, use him as a ball carrier, a receiver and with Oakland most likely punting often again this weekend, his exploits as a returner will be on display.

Westbrook and McCoy vs. The Raiders Front-Seven

If the Eagles run for big yardage with that tandem, they’ll coast to an easy victory.

Fight or Flight?

Will Oakland fight till the end in front of their home crowd? Or will they play lackadaisical football again and fold if the Eagles jump out to an early lead? The Raiders must play from in front and get the crowd into the game.

PREDICTION

Eagles 27 – Raiders 10

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on FOX with Sam Rosen providing play-by-play and former NFL player Tim Ryan handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KTVU Channel 2. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s 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 KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from the Oakland Raiders official web site)

GAME INFO

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:05 p.m. PT | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, OAK

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (1-4) Home: 0-2 Road: 1-2

Road Team: Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) Home: 2-1 Road: 1-0

Point Spread: Raiders are 14½-point underdogs

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders’ home game this weekend versus the rival Denver Broncos will be blacked out locally because the game did not sell out in time.

NFL games need to be sold out 72-hours prior to kickoff to avoid the blackout, which takes effect in a 75-mile radius. For the opener, the Silver & Black got an extension to sell out the contest versus the San Diego Chargers, but were not able to avoid it this time around.

Since Oakland took over ticket sales from Alameda County before the 2006 season, they’ve had two blackouts each campaign.

The Detroit Lions are the other team not to sell out, and that will also be blacked out this weekend.

This will be the first division game for the Raiders that will not be televised locally during that span.

Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist