With two weeks to go in the regular season, the Denver Broncos (8-6) are leading the AFC West.

But all of the sudden, things are getting tighter, as the Oakland Raiders (7-7) are fading away, losers of three in a row, while the San Diego Chargers (7-7) are making a late run.

Heck, even the Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) have shown some life, handing the Green Bay Packers (13-1) their first loss of the season, in Romeo Crennel’s first game as interim coach.

If the post-season were to begin today, the Patriots would have home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, with the Steelers right behind them as the second seed.

The Texans (3^rd seed) would host the Jets (6^th seed) and the Ravens (5^th) would have to travel to Denver to face the Broncos (4^th).

Oakland is currently ranked ninth, behind the Bengals (8-6) and the Titans (7-7).

The Raiders have to travel to Kansas City next, but luckily for them, they’ve enjoyed success in recent years there, last losing in 2006 at Arrowhead. But they’re in the midst of a three-game losing streak – their first since 2009.

Last season, Oakland needed help a lot of help to get into the playoffs, finished 8-8 and were stung by key losses at home to Miami and on the road to Jacksonville. Veterans talked about placing themselves in a better position the following season and snatching destiny into their own hands. Well, it happened this year – very briefly – and they failed a few times to take advantage of a weak division.

Now, they face two rivals that would like nothing more than to put them out of their misery.

The Chiefs want to defend their home field. The Chargers, once declared dead, want to shock the NFL-world. Oakland… well, they are hanging on by a thread.

After today’s stinging loss, who knows how the Raiders will react?

“To be winning like we were winning and then just not being able to close. … That definitely hurts especially because we knew how important this game was,” said safety Mike Mitchell.

Oakland probably knew how important the game was, but they played late in that contest as if they earned the right to coast to a victory.

“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,” said Carson Palmer.

Getting over it is the easy part… going out there and winning is another story.

NOTES

“We showed today that we’re not ready to go to the playoffs and make a push,” Broncos CB Champ Bailey said after their 41-23 loss versus the Patriots. “We’ve got to get better and we only have two or three weeks to do it. If we don’t, then we’ll be sitting home.”

“It was a rough six-game stretch, but we hung tight together and fought our way back to .500 with two to play and we’re still alive,” commented Philip Rivers after the Chargers trounced the Ravens, 34-14.

Quarterback Carson Palmer and the Raiders offense struggled again, only managing to put up 16 points on a Packers defense that has struggled at times. Palmer was just 24/42 for 245 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

The Raiders received the opening kickoff and were driving down the field until Palmer threw his first interception of the day giving the Packers the ball on their own 43-yard line.

It didn’t take long for the Packers to get on the scoreboard. On their very first offensive play, running back Ryan Grant found a hole in the Raiders defense and scampered 47 yards into the end zone, giving the Packers a 7-0 start.

The Packers would score on their next drive as well. After forcing the Raiders to punt, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was able to find Ryan Taylor for a 4-yard touchdown reception, increasing the Packers lead to 14-0.

Already down 31-0 in the second quarter, it looked as if the Raiders would finally get on the scoreboard. Linebacker Aaron Curry sacked Rodgers and forced a fumble which was returned for a touchdown by Kamerion Wimbley. The play was challenged and reversed, giving the ball back to Green Bay. But safety Mike Mitchell would intercept Rodgers pass in the end zone for a touchback two plays later.

The Raiders wouldn’t find the end zone until the third quarter, when running back Michael Bush was finally able to find the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run, making the score 34-7.

Oakland’s other points came when middle linebacker Rolando McClain sacked backup quarterback Matt Flynn in the end zone for a safety, followed by Palmer finding tight end Kevin Boss for the Raiders second touchdown, making the score 46-16 with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

Raiders running back Michael Bush struggled on the ground once again, only rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Third year wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was once again the Raiders leading receiver with five catches for 78 yards.

With the loss, the Raiders are not a full game behind the Denver Broncos who had another overtime victory against the Bears. The Raiders take on the Detroit Lions at home on Sunday.

Lambeau Field - Home of the Green Bay Packers

The Oakland Raiders (7-6) ran into the NFL’s best team – the undefeated, defending Super Bowl champs – and were massacred 46-16. Sunday’s victory by the Green Bay Packers (13-0) clinched a bye week  in the post-season and just emphasized how far the Silver & Black are from being at their level. Here’s a look at what went wrong at Lambeau Field for Oakland:

PENALTIES, TURNOVERS & POOR TACKLING

Oakland had eight penalties for 64-yards in the first half and ended with 11 infractions for 89-yards at games end.

Jared Veldheer’s hold on their second drive was disheartening due to the fact that they were moving the ball well at the onset of the game and were already down 7-0 on that possession. The Raiders did not move the ball after that penalty and were forced to punt.

Green Bay scored on their next drive and was quickly up 14-0.

Mike Mitchell was flagged for pass interference on a 3^rd and 16.

Carson Palmer had the Silver & Black moving on the opening drive, but a costly interception in Green Bay territory was the start of an ugly afternoon. Oakland’s starting passer set-up the Packers in the 2^nd quarter with his second interception of the game into the hands of Charles Woodson. The quarter was quoted after the game, “I put us in a position not to win, turning the ball over and not taking advantage of opportunities. That is what cost us this game. I did not play well enough to give us a chance to win.”

The Packers began the drive at the Oakland 25-yard line and four plays later, were up 31-0 on Ryan Grant’s six-yard run.  Oakland finished with five turnovers. “You can’t turn the ball over five times, commit 11 penalties and think you have a chance to win a game,” said Hue Jackson after the game.

The defense did not wrap up many times, missed opportunities to take down Green Bay ball carriers and were undisciplined in the first half.  Grant recorded 44 of his 85 rush yards after initial contact. That’s the most rush yards after contact in a single game for a Packers running back all season.

DEFENSIVE NO-SHOW

Granted, the offense did put Chuck Bresnahan’s bunch in tough spots with quick possessions and short fields, but the run defense was a sieve and a lack of energy early in the contest was evident.

Rolando McClain was lost in Ryan Grant’s 47-yard run for a score to open the game, as the rusher danced through the line of scrimmage and had everyone in the secondary trailing.

Green Bay out-rushed the Silver & Black 136-117 and averaged a staggering 9.2 rush yards per carry in the first half.

The Raiders did finish with four sacks, but not enough pressure was put on Aaron Rodgers when they needed it most. Veteran lineman Richard Seymour was non-existent.

At the half, the Packers 296 total yards of offense and were 2-4 on 3^rd downs. That’s when it mattered most, and at that point, their lead was an insurmountable 31-0. Green Bay had four touchdowns and a field goal on its first five possessions.

“Our quarterback is outstanding at handling the no-huddle. He has the best seat in the house. We’re playing at home. We knew our defense would have a chance to go out and jump on these people,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy commented.

ANYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG…DID.

Just when you thought Oakland had executed soundly, something happened to make their afternoon a longer one.

Trailing 31-0, the Raiders called a fake punt, but Shane Lechler missed a wide-open Rock Cartwright, giving the Packers possession at the Oakland 28-yard line. Lechler commented: “I just missed the throw. If I don’t miss the throw, it’s a first down, easy. It was there. I haven’t missed that pass since I don’t know how long. Just a bad throw.”

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Randall Cobb clearly had his foot out of bounds during a 50-yard return. But the replay system malfunctioned and kept the play from being changed.

Kamerion Wimbley had recovered a fumble and returned it 82-yard for a score before halftime, but Green Bay challenged the call on the field and the play was reversed, as Rodgers’ apparent turnover was ruled an incompletion.

GAME NOTES

• Carson Palmer ended the game 24/42 for 245-yards, one touchdown and four interceptions (42.4 QB rating). Aaron Rodgers was 17/30 for 281-yards, two scores and one interception (96.7 QB rating, lowest of the season).
• Darrius Heyward-Bey led Oakland with 78-yards receiving, on five catches. Louis Murphy added another 70-yards on four grabs. Kevin Boss tallied his second touchdown as a Raider in the 4^th quarter.
• Rolando McClain had 7 solo tackles, 3 tackles for losses and 2 sacks. His second sack was of Matt Flynn in the end zone, leading to a safety. At that point, Oakland was down 46-9.
• On Erik Walden’s 5-yard fumble return for a score, Marce Reece had lost possession of the football and Palmer was unable to recover it.
• Shane Lechler had a 71-yard punt, downed by Brandon Myers at the one-yard line in the final quarter.
• For a second straight game, the Raiders were down 34-0. Last week, they were down by 34, without scoring a point, to the Dolphins. They also allowed a long return on special teams coming out of the locker room. The 31-0 halftime deficit was the largest in team history. In 1961, they were down 30-0 to the Chargers.

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OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

It’s another week of who’s who on the infirmary report on offense, with running backs Darren McFadden [foot] and Taiwan Jones [hamstring] officially out on Sunday. Wide receivers Denarius Moore [foot] and Jacoby Ford [foot] also will not play against Green Bay.

Michael Bush will make his sixth start of the season against the 13^th ranked rush defense. “We need to get back to playing Raiders football, get back to doing what we do,” Jackson said. “We’re a big, physical football team and we need to play that way. We need to be able to stop the run and we need to be able to run the ball. That’s where it starts for us and that’s where it’s going to end. We need to be who we are and that’s what we plan on doing.”

A solid run game could keep Carson Palmer upright on Sunday, but more importantly, keep the Packer offense off the field.

“Control the clock,” Palmer said. “We weren’t successful the last two weeks running the ball, and it’s definitely on our minds, something we’re getting screamed at and ripped for, but something we’re working very hard on, because you have to keep the ball out of Aaron’s hands and keep those receivers off the field.”

On Defense:

It’s all about getting to Aaron Rodgers this week if you’re the Raiders. Problem is, you can’t blitz the league’s leading passer too often. Rodgers’ overall passer rating is an NFL-best 125.3, but when he’s blitzed it’s a staggering149.3.

So Oakland must get to the passer with four down linemen. Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly have to be disruptive in the trenches, and the likes of Jarvis Moss, Lamarr Houston and Trevor Scott have to win their battles on the edges.

“You have to get him off his rhythm,” stated Chuck Bresnahan.

Making Green Bay one-dimensional is a must. James Starks may not play, so containing Ryan Grant, who rushed for a career high against Oakland in 2007, is imperative. The Packers rank 29^th in the NFL rushing the football.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

On Offense:

The last time the Raiders defeated Green Bay, Rodgers was four-years old. The quarterback is at the top of his game and Oakland’s secondary knows it.

“They definitely have an ace at quarterback,” cornerback Lito Sheppard said. “He’s definitely on the same page as his receivers. He knows what they’re going to do, when they’re going to do it and how they’re going to do it. He’s just really good with putting the ball where it needs to be for them to make plays. … Aaron Rodgers is playing like an MVP right now.”

“You see a quarterback that can make every throw on the field,” added Stanford Routt. “He has great receivers, great scheme, great defense — he’s got basically everything you need to be successful. He’s got a little of that Tom Brady, where he doesn’t mind who is going to be the leading receiver that Sunday. Obviously, they do have a lot of good receivers. They’ve got about two or three guys that are actually like number ones, so it’s definitely going to be a good challenge for us on the back end on Sunday.”

Green Bay had many key drops last week against the New York Giants, something that they focused on for their next contest.

On Defense:

The Packers will have Charles Woodson on Sunday, and possibly A.J Hawk, who returned to practice on Friday for the first time since he pulled a calf muscle on Thanksgiving Day.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop is out.

“Having A.J. up for the game to me is a bonus,” coach Mike McCarthy said.

One area the Packers are susceptible at is their pass defense.  They are allowing 306.7 passing yards per game (31^st in the NFL) and have only tallied 26.0 sacks in 2011.

They are opportunistic though, as they have tallied 23 4^th quarter interceptions, tops in the league.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Raiders Front-Four vs. Packers Offensive Line

It’s all about disruption, and whether Oakland can bring the heat with their massive bodies in the interior versus the Pack’s offensive line. If they can get to Rodgers with four down linemen, they will have a shot at staying close.

Bush-Time

Controlling the clock is vital – keeping the Packers offense on the sideline.  Bush has a career high 196-touches, but has been slowed the last two weeks. Has he hit a wall? Can Oakland regain their run dominance from earlier in the season? Palmer will have an easier time dissecting that secondary if he can have play-action to complement the attack.

GAME NOTES

• “Tyvon [Branch] is a Pro Bowl player, without a doubt,” said Bresnahan about his starting strong safety, this week. “This is a guy who every game he comes with his A game.”
• “Nope. I’m done for the rest of the year, rest of my career. It was fun while it lasted,” stated Rolando McClain about his self-imposed silence with the media.
• The Colts lead the NFL with 83 missed starts because of injuries. The Panthers are second with 80, followed by the Giants, Rams and Raiders 65 missed starts.
• “He’s a very poised quarterback,” safety Mike Mitchell on Rodgers. “’That’s the one thing I’ve seen on film. He doesn’t rattle very easy. He gets the ball out of his hand very quickly. And he really just trusts his one-on-one matchups. When he sees the one-on-one, he thinks that his guy is better than yours. So, as a defender, it gets you a little excited because you know that you’re going to get opportunities to play the ball and make game-changing plays. It’s also a lot of pressure because the ball is coming.”
• Since their loss versus the Patriots, Oakland is one of two teams in that span to allow less than half the passes against them to be completed, with their 49.5 percent mark trailing only the Texans. They’ve tallied 22 sacks and 11 interceptions in that span, holding opponents to a 68.6 passer rating — second only to the Texans.

PREDICTION

Packers 37 – Raiders 16

Here’s a look at their 2007 match-up with game images:

A Look Back: Raiders at Packers (2007)

And a look at how Charles Woodson revitalized his career in Green Bay, from January, 2011:

Woodson masterful in Green Bay, revitalized after career in Oakland

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OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford are likely out again, as they both sat out of practice on Thursday. Hue Jackson stated, “We’ll see if we can get anything out of [McFadden or Ford] tomorrow.”

That means that Michael Bush will continue his run as a starter. In the last four games, Bush has 96-carries, 461-yards and 2 scores on the ground.

Jared Veldheer, coming off his stellar performance versus Jared Allen last weekend, now gets Julius Peppers. “That’s what pro football is all about. You play the best, and when you’re able to hold your own, you start to realize you’re starting to become something,” stated Jackson about his tackle.

With Ford missing time in practice and Darrius Heyward-Bey recovering from his neck injury last weekend, Oakland were forced to practice with only three receivers this week.  Denarius Moore also was held out due to a foot ailment.

“It makes it difficult,” Palmer stated. “You don’t get the same guys on the field from the week before, that rhythm and timing thing slows down a little bit. So we have our work cut out for us.

On Defense:

“We’ve got better players than we had in the past,” defensive tackle Tommy Kelly commented this week. “But we’re also making the job a lot harder than we have to. We say that to ourselves a lot on the sideline. But in the end all you’ve got to do is win the game.”

Last week, the defense dodged a bullet with Adrian Peterson’s early departure. Now they get Matt Forte, who is the NFL’s fourth leading rusher (926-yards). Oakland will undoubtedly stack the line of scrimmage and hope to force the young passer into long down and distance situations.

“Really, probably the blue print of how they’re going to play us – I’m guessing – is what they did against that rookie quarterback in Minnesota, where they pressured a lot more than they had been pressuring,” Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice was quoted. “I look for them to do something like that, to us. And they’ve got a nice blitz package. We’ll be ready for it.

“We’re 11, 12 weeks into the season. We’ve seen just about everything. There are only so many blitzes.”

CHICAGO BEARS

On Offense:

Hanie is mobile enough to escape and hurt the Raiders out of the pocket. Surely, the Bears have seen film of Tim Tebow running for 118-yards and Christian Ponder for 71-yards the last three weeks.

But they’ll have to lean heavily on Forte, who is the type of shifty rusher that gives Oakland fits. He’s also a threat out of the backfield, which will put pressure on the Raiders linebackers and safeties.

John Henderson, Tommy Kelly & Richard Seymour have a tough task ahead, versus Matt Forte.

“Teams have tried to play us the last few weeks, they stack the box, try to get the running game out, and beat them with the pass,” Hanie said. “Luckily last week we were able to beat them with the pass. Hopefully we can keep the big plays and keep our explosiveness.”

Those big plays, if they do come in the passing game, could be screens versus an aggressive Raider bunch or off misdirections and bootlegs.

On Defense:

Chicago’s defense allows 20.1 points per game (14^th in the NFL), 270.7 pass yards a contest (30^th) and 101.2 rush yards per game (11^th).

Over the last six weeks, the Bears have allowed a league low 66.8 rushing yards. They also rank second in the NFL with 23 turnovers. “I wish it wasn’t the issue, but I think you look at the way we’re set up, in my mind, we’re still a defensive team and (on) special teams, we can score at any time, which is a good thing,” Brian Urlacher said.

Urlacher, D.J Moore and Major Wright, all have three interceptions apiece.

Peppers leads the team with 6.0 sacks. Henry Melton (4), Amobi Okoye (3) and Israel Idonije (3) have also been hunting opposing passers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Devin Hester is the ultimate x-factor whenever the Bears play. He can swing momentum, alter field position or score at any given moment when he’s returning.

But Oakland in the past has not been afraid of the dynamic talent. In 2007, albeit with different players and coaches, the Silver & Black did not shy away from Hester. This time around, Lane Kiffin isn’t around to boast about kicking to him, but other players are.

“As a punt unit, I feel like we have the best weapon in the league in Shane Lechler,” safety Mike Mitchell said. “We’re going to punt to anybody. I don’t think we’re afraid to punt to a specific player.”

“As far as I’m concerned, no, it’s not the same attitude right now,” Lechler said regarding their first match-up four years ago. “That guy’s too dangerous.”

Mitchell continued: “After he gets machine-gunned a couple of times, he’s not going to be too quick to return punts. I’m not talking any trash, either. He’s the best punt returner, best returner besides Jacoby [Ford]. He’s awesome. But our mentality is, he has to play us.”

GAME NOTES

• Oakland is 4-1 on the road, but just 2-3 in front of the Black Hole. “You’ve got to win at home,” Palmer said. “You’ve got to protect your field. We’ve got to do a better job of keeping or crowd in it. We’ve fallen behind and not gotten off to fast starts.” The team sold out the O.Co Coliseum for the sixth straight game.
• “It falls squarely on our offensive line,” Roberto Garza said. “We have to do our technique better, move those guys and cover those guys up, and make those holes for Matt [Forte] and Marion [Barber] to run through.”
• “He’s a special player, to say the least,” defensive lineman Richard Seymour said about Forte. “He’s playing at an All-Pro level; we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
• Bears signed former Raider Josh McCown, who was the starter for the Silver & Black the last time they met.
• Chicago is averaging 32.2 points per game during their current five-game winning streak.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Containing Forte

The all-purpose running back can do it all and is a big play threat. Oakland has to be sure-handed with their tackling and stay disciplined in run support. Out of the backfield as a receiver, he has 46 receptions for 465-yards.

Hester’s hysteria…

If Oakland can keep Hester from shifting the field and putting up points on special teams, it could hinder Hanie’s first start. The young passer could get loads of confidence by having short fields to work with, or not having to shoulder the scoring burden.

Veldheer & Lil’ Wiz…

Again this week, Oakland’s youthful left side will be the spotlight. The Raiders need to get Bush going again and protect Palmer from an onslaught rush.

PREDICTION

Raiders 24 – Bears 23

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Jackson was right about a few things there…

None of his passers were the sole reason they lost. Were both quarterbacks dreadful and did they both equally hinder any attack Oakland was trying to muster up? Absolutely.

But other reasons include a slew of penalties (14 for 120-yards), allowing 139-yards on the ground, giving a lackluster effort on offense without injured superstar Darren McFadden and the coach’s inability to get this team to play respectable football amid a three-game home stand.

Being shutout at home and losing by 28-points speaks for itself. That performance was Oakland football from the 2003-2009 vintage.

Jackson is a better coach than that, and the team is a better grouping as well.

Yesterday proved that they are still in the process of learning how to win and taking care of business. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the game and all the hoopla regarding the transactions made recently, the Silver & Black had a shot to go into their game against the Chargers at 6-2.

Now, they have a bye week to let this loss linger, get their offense in order, heal whatever physical or emotional ailments they have after this contest and aim at another rival.

This bye came at a perfect time, as now; they have to get their heads right for a stretch run.

“That’s what we’re still striving to be. We’re striving to be a really good team that, hopefully, we can get to the point where these games are a thing of the past. But, obviously, we still got a lot of work to do,” said Mike Mitchell.

The Raiders are a good team who hit a really big bump on the road. What they want to be is a contending club. They didn’t look like that yesterday and a outcome like Sunday’s can either help a team move forward, or set them back for the remainder of the season.

Which way will the Raiders go?

GAME NOTES

Michael Bush had to carry the load after Darren McFadden injured his foot.

• Chiefs’ CB Brandon Carr stated: “We came into a hostile environment, in a rivalry game with high stakes on the line and the competitive juices were flowing. You could feel it as soon as you got off the bus today.”
• The defensive backs for Kansas City had a field day with six interceptions. That set the tone for the Chiefs and the boo birds in Oakland quickly turned on their starter. “We knew that they had a quarterback controversy,” Kendrick Lewis said. “We studied film and studied their routes. We knew that they were going to give [Palmer] a limited playbook, so when we had an opportunity to make plays and capitalize, that’s what we did.”
• TE Kevin Boss had a concussion.
• McFadden left the game early with a sprained foot. Michael Bush carried the load and ended with 99-yards. “I feel like I can step in and do a good job,” Bush said. “I had a good game today. Not to take away from myself, but I mean, like I said, this offensive line is doing a very good job in the running game, and when one guy goes down, somebody else has to step in.”
• Rolando McClain had a lower leg injury and Matt Giordano had neck spasms.

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To everyone in the Raider Nation – enjoy a safe and prosperous Holiday Season with best wishes for the New Year. Since this is the season of giving, SBReport.net will hand out presents to a few Oakland Raiders

Jason Campbell, QB:

Santa Claus will hopefully bring him complete confidence from the staff and players. Since Bruce Gradkowski has been injured, Campbell looks poised and at ease under center. He’s 4-0 as a starter at home this season. A wonderful gift for him would be the Raiders going forward with the former Redskin entrenched as the starter. This off-season, Oakland may only shop for a back-up if that’s the case.

Bruce Gradkowski, QB:

A new team and full body armor. He’s tough, feisty and works hard. But Gradkowski is limited and the way he plays, puts him at risk to too many injuries.

Darren McFadden, RB:

MVP consideration. Yes, he deserves it. McFadden has tallied 1,588 yards from scrimmage and ten scores. When he’s on his game, the Raiders’ offense rolls.

Chaz Schilens, WR:

“Adamantium” – that fictional indestructible metal that Marvel’s comic book super-hero Wolverine is covered with. Schilens should be blanketed in that so even if he does get injured, he regenerates quickly and heals at the drop of a dime.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR:

An injection of route running skills to go with his blazing speed.

Marcel Reece, FB:

A jersey with a number in the ‘80s.’ The fullback is one of the Raiders best targets.

Thomas Howard, LB:

A new address in 2011. He’s in someone’s doghouse. Howard has been relegated to the sideline and spot special teams duties. The former starter is being bypassed for rookie Travis Goethel.

Jared Veldheer, LT:

An anchor. To make sure no one unseats him at left tackle. Although it looks like the rookie could be headed to a long career at that spot with continued growth.

Rock Cartwright, RB/ST:

I’m inventing the ‘Golden Tee’ award and giving it to Cartwright. He has been a key player on special teams and a vocal leader on the field all season.

Jacoby Ford, WR/KR:

More touches on offense and special teams. It doesn’t matter how this rookie gets the ball in his hands. Whenever he does, Ford makes plays.

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB:

A great ankle massage therapist in Hawaii. Asomugha is headed to another Pro Bowl selection, so when he gets to the relaxing island, he can enjoy all the amenities, bypass the game and heal completely.

Louis Murphy WR:

His own personal referee. Murphy seems to always be involved in a questionable call, or he comes away unhappy about not being credited a catch.

Tom Cable, HC:

A new contract in 2011. He has changed the losing culture in Oakland while remaining a good soldier for Al Davis. That alone deserves credit. But since his contract is up at season’s end, its time for the Raiders to repay the man who helped them back to respectability.

Hue Jackson, OC:

Job offers. If the Bengals fire Marvin Lewis, Jackson will be a candidate for that opening.

Mario Henderson, T:

A GPS to find his way back into the line-up.

Trevor Scott, DE:

A speedy rehabilitation.

Richard Seymour, DL:

A contract extension. Raiders must keep him, and after this solid campaign, Seymour deserves to be compensated. Oakland needs to keep the veteran around.

Rolando McClain, LB:

A podium. Maybe then, we’ll see the rookie talk after games more often.

Mike Mitchell, S:

A bunch of tackling dummies wearing Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs’ jerseys. Mitchell loves landing big hits, this will help him do it year round.

Sebastian Janikowski, PK:

A pair of punting shoes.

The Raider Nation:

A Chiefs & Chargers loss this weekend, a play in game next weekend at Arrowhead and a Raiders playoff berth.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Safety Mike Mitchell talks to the media about how this team is looking forward to finishing out the season with wins against the Colts and Chiefs.

John Henderson & the run defense will be vital versus the Chargers

I just get the feeling that the San Diego Chargers will try to pound the football all day against the Oakland Raiders.

The rush defense is a major concern for the Silver & Black. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers averaged 4.9 yards per carry for a tally of 162-yards. Last Sunday, the Miami Dolphins ran the ball 49-times and amassed 186-yards rushing, this after Oakland allowed an average of 75.3 yards per contest during their three-game winning streak.

San Diego’s Mike Tolbert has carried for 214-yards and two scores the last two games and rookie Ryan Matthews could be back in the mix, as he’s practiced with the club this week.

Norv Turner wants more balance. So don’t expect Rivers to chuck the ball around 42-times as he did in their first meeting. Tolbert is rolling and he praised his blockers, specifically Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick and Louis Vasquez, stating, “[the offensive line] want to go downhill and want to block and want to pound on the people in front of them.”

“There’s definitely a different feel,” stated left guard Kris Dielman. “Pass-blocking, you’ve gotta have patience and stay in balance. With run-blocking, you can be more aggressive. You can get after it. When you’ve got the lead and don’t need to keep throwing the ball and you’re able to open up the run, you can impose your will on (opponents), wear ‘em down, have some fun.”

The Chargers are averaging 4.0 yards a carry, a major improvement from last season, when at this point in 2009, they tallied only 3.3 yards per run.

“From our point of view, it’s very exciting to be running the ball and continuing to run the football,” said center Nick Hardwick. “To us, that’s big, being on the attack. By nature, pass-blocking is a retreat as a force trying to maintain our lines. As a run-blocking unit, you’ve got them on the retreat and trying to maintain their lines.

“We’re coming downhill. We’re getting two bodies on one body, and behind us, we have a battering ram in the fullback. And there’s another battering ram behind him. Offensive line. Boom! (Jacob) Hester slams. Boom! Tolbert comes in, slams. Boom!”

OTHER NOTES

• Malcom Floyd is expected to play after returning to practice on Friday. In their earlier meeting, the wide receiver had a career game, posting 213-receiving yards on 8-catches and a score.
• In October, the Raiders head coach put into perspective the win over the Chargers. “That’s a heck of a team, and it’s been nemesis for a number of years, obviously dating back to 2003,” Tom Cable said. “They’ve been the champ. And if you ever want to be that, you’ve got to beat the champ. So it’s just a good win.” He stated this week, it’s a must-win for the Silver & Black. “I think so.” Cable said, “We have to go down there and be at our best to have a chance.”
• Rolando McClain may miss his first game as a pro with arthritis in his left foot. “He was better last night, but worse this morning, so it will be day-to-day and we’ll probably have to wait until Sunday morning,’’ Cable said on Friday. If he can’t play, Ricky Brown will take over at middle linebacker.
• Chaz Schilens has practiced three straight days, but don’t think that will be enough for him to be active. Oakland has always taken a wait and see approach with the fragile receiver, and another week of practice may be what’s needed to get complete clearance so he’s ready to see game action.
• Richard Seymour and Zach Miller were limited in practice, but both are expected to play. Tyvon Branch’s shoulder could be worse than expected, and if he can’t go, Mike Mitchell will step in at strong safety. With Chris Johnson likely out again, the secondary could be limited again this week. Which is why Walter McFadden must forget about the rookie woes from last weekend and move forward because Philip Rivers and the Chargers could try to expose him once again.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist