Silver and Black Report

The New York Giants were crowned Super Bowl champions, again, beating the New England Patriots 21-17 at Indianapolis.

A few former Oakland Raiders were key on both sides. SBReport.net takes a look at their performances:

Sterling Moore – Patriots – CB

Moore had three tackles, ending his solid playoff run with the Patriots. The cornerback had two passes defended, one which halted a key Giants’ drive on a 3^rd and 10. That gave Tom Brady the ball back in the 4^th quarter with a shot at extending their lead prior to New York’s go-ahead possession. Moore had a forced fumble on a play in the 1^st quarter that was negated due to a penalty.

Gerard Warren – Patriots – DT

Had one tackle and assisted on another playing as a reserve.

Dave Tollefson – Giants – DL

Played well on special teams and in varying packages along the defensive front.

Kevin Boothe – Giants – OL

In the 2^nd quarter, he had a holding penalty that washed away a converted 3^rd and 1. On the next play, on 3^rd and 11, Eli Manning tossed an incomplete pass in the direction of Mario Manningham.
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The Oakland Raiders were denied permission by the New Orleans Saints to talk to defensive line coach Bill Johnson for an opening on Dennis Allen’s staff.

Johnson has more than 30-years of football experience and just recently, he’s helped the Saints defense improved from 25th in the NFL to 4th in yardage and from 20th to 7th in scoring defense in 2010.

In his two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Johnson was crucial in developing defensive end Elvis Dumervil. From 2001-to-2006, he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, who consistently were a solid pass rushing club and twice ranked in the top ten of the NFL in fewest yards allowed.

One return for the Raiders that will be a welcomed by many is Justin Griffith.

The former fullback was very good friends with Michael Bush early in his career, which could help influence the return of the unrestricted free agent. Griffith was always great with the media and a strong veteran presence in the locker room.

Unfortunately in 2008, his career with the Raiders ended during a contest with the Baltimore Ravens. Griffith tore his ACL in the third quarter of the game, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown toss. “You lose a terrific person, a lot of leadership,” then coach Tom Cable said. “He’s solid as a rock. He comes to work every day. He does things to the best of his ability every opportunity he gets. Someone who’s familiar with the system. You’re losing quite a bit there.”

Griffith was not known as a punishing blocker, but his knowledge then and now of the zone-blocking system was fundamental. In Atlanta, the fullback worked in that system with Cable. Then, Oakland tabbed his services for two seasons as the Raiders transitioned more to a zone-blocking scheme.

With Bob Wylie out, and Frank Pollack in, the move to a new system was inevitable, especially with the success the new offensive line coach has had in Houston with that method of blocking.

Griffith being a quality control coach on offense will help the current crop of Raiders with the nuisances of blocking and running behind the new scheme.

Sterling Moore will be in the spotlight in the Super Bowl this weekend. It goes to show you how far good coaching and scouting could go in this league.

The ex-Raider was pivotal in the Patriots arrival to the big game and will be vital in holding versus a dynamic Giants passing attack.

But who knew?

“Athletic guy, good ball skills. Had some versatility. Had some size, had some quickness,” said Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, who attended a workout with Moore after Oakland waived him. “So, you know, there were some things there to like. We brought him in, and with any player you bring in, you hope it works out. But a lot of it is how he prepares and how he improves.”

Even though he spent very little time in Oakland last summer, he quickly noticed difference between the Raiders and Patriots stating that Belichick’s club was a far more “professional” organization.

“I think there’s a lot of plays that helped us get here. [Brandon] Spikes’ interception and the way Vince [Wilfork] played that game; I’m just glad I had an opportunity to make a play,” said Moore.

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Super Bowl XLVI will feature two very deserving teams, with two passers looking to cement their legacies and one club in particular, searching for revenge after having their perfect season wiped away in this final game a few years back.

SBReport.net will take a look at what both the New York Giants and the New England Patriots have to accomplish to win this game and what would occur if either team gets to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday evening.

THE CASE FOR THE NEW YORK GIANTS (NFC CHAMPIONS)

Unlike the Patriots, the Giants can wing it with Eli Manning, not worry about a ground game and still come away victorious. That talented unit of wide receivers, which features Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham, could provide enough troubles for a highly questionable Pats’ secondary and enable Manning to put up better stats than his counterpart at the end of this final game of the 2011 season.

The Giants moved the ball very well against a tough, solid tackling and fiery defense on the road to get to the Super Bowl. Their efforts in San Francisco were impressive. And this Bill Belichick defense is nowhere near the talent level of the 49ers’ unit.

Brandon Jacobs nor Ahmad Bradshaw, do not need big games. But a few draws, some Bradshaw pitches to the edge and Jacobs’ downhill style could help set a tone and keep New England off-balance.

Manning will need a 40-plus pass attempt effort to win this game.

On defense, it’s quite simple, keep the Patriots one-dimensional. Yes, that may lead to big numbers for Tom Brady, but the Giants have to shutdown Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis and hope that fierce pass rush can get to the quarterback enough to make life miserable for him.

That formula was used to win in 2007 – so if Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora cannot get heat on Brady, the Giants will be in a shoot-out all afternoon and hoping that Brady doesn’t have the ball in his hands late in the contest either up with a chance to seal the deal, or with the team’s fate in his hands.

The Giants secondary isn’t very good either, but they have playmakers in Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. And if their pass rush is wreaking havoc, they have enough talent on the linebacker unit and back end of the defensive backfield to contain New England’s deadly  tight ends.

A WIN FOR MANNING WILL…

Wouldn’t it be sweet for Eli to raise the trophy in the ‘House that Peyton built”?

A second victory against Brady in a Super Bowl will put the younger Manning among the elite in New York sports history. He’ll easily surpass Phil Simms as the greatest signal caller in Giants’ history and place himself in the pantheon of the Big Apple’s greats.

I would put him ahead of Mark Messier, who delivered the Rangers their first Stanley Cup in 54-years back in the 1993-94 campaign. Manning will surpass Walt Frazier (Knicks), will cast a shadow over Joe Namath (Jets) and by career’s end, which could sound crazy, may even have a chance to take the crown as the greatest Giant ever, taking the mantle away from Lawrence Taylor, who revolutionized the linebacker position in the NFL.

Manning could easily place himself in the Mt. Rushmore of NY sports; along with Derek Jeter, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth – all who played for the Yankees.

THE CASE FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (AFC CHAMPIONS)

On defense, Vince Wilfork will have to play the game of his life. Brandon Spikes will have to be a tackling machine and someone from that secondary – anyone – will need a key interception to slow Manning and that potent aerial attack.

A vital aspect of this contest is the week off. Belichick is a mastermind when given time to game plan, and with the Giants in such a roll, the bye actually is a major advantage for the Patriots – especially with Rob Gronkowski’s injured left ankle.

That two tight end set that New England deploys could give the Giants massive headaches. New York had breakdowns in coverage versus Vernon Davis and a 49er team that offered very little in terms of other targets in the NFC Championship game.

If Gronkowski can play and perform effectively, it will give the Patriots a chance to match him either against a slower linebacker or smaller safety, and others such as Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker and Deion Branch could have huge games working the middle of the field.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Brady started the game in a no-huddle and uses it plenty throughout the evening in hopes of tiring the Giants pass rush, causing confusion in the secondary and prevent New York to make substitutions to their active front-seven.

Green-Ellis must be productive. They may not need well over 100-yards out of him, but it’s essential they can move the chains on short yardage with the run and offer more than what San Francisco did in terms of balance and versatility against an aggressive Giants defense.

Running right at the pass rushers and draw plays off of shotgun formations, quick snaps and other creative ways to get chunks of yards on the ground will be needed to keep Manning on the sideline as well. The one unit that took a beating when the Giants beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, in the game and via the media afterwards, was the offensive line of New England. This time around, they’ll have a chip on their shoulder and major incentive to play well against a New York team that has been chatty and boisterous along the defense the last few days.

ANOTHER RING FOR BRADY…

Brady has done it all. He’s a hall of famer to be and recognized as one of the elite sporting figures of this generation.

But a fourth Super Bowl title would be epic.

Brady could situate himself among the league’s immortals with a win. Not only will the Patriots need a big game from their star passer, but a larger-than-life stat line with a win could be the single greatest feat of his already stellar career.

New England enters this game with their most vital offensive component nowhere near 100% percent, per many reports. The defense they are heading into the game with may be the worst defensive unit ever in Super Bowl lore. Add  that he doesn’t posses a great rusher, nor an offensive line you could recognize immediately, and you’re talking about all the makings of a historic evening for Brady – especially since he’s still disturbed by his performance two weeks ago versus the Ravens and a few years back when his perfect season evaporated and a title slipped through his fingers, in a game which he played valiantly in and was in line to win another MVP.

Brady with a win, will stand-alone with Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas. From there, you can argue all you want about who’s the greatest. Then, you can add him to the list of greatest players to don shoulder pads, not just that played under center.

PREDICTION

Will Brady have a great game? Yes. Will Welker and the rest of the offense find a way to keep it tight through three quarters with the G-men? Absolutely. But I find it hard to believe, as much as I trust Belichick and his game-planning genius, that Raider cast-off Sterling Moore and that questionable secondary can stand toe-to-toe versus Manning and that passing game.

The New York pass rush will be relentless. And even if they face a no-huddle attack, they’ll find a way to make plays, get Brady moving in the pocket and force some throws down the field. With Gronkowski on a tender ankle, it really hinders what New England can do in their passing game.

What I find surprising is the line before the game? The Patriots have remained a 2 ½ to 3 point favorite all week. I know their regular season record and playoff seeding was taken into consideration, but the Giants are the hottest team coming into the game. The Pats are on a current 10-game winning streak, but they’ve faced Mark Sanchez, Tyler Palko, Vince Young, Dan Orlovsky, Rex Grossman, Tim Tebow (twice), Matt Moore, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Joe Flacco since their last defeat on November 6.

Oh, by the way, their last loss was against? Yes, Manning and the Giants.

COTTO’S FINAL SCORE: Giants 33 – Patriots 27    MVP: Eli Manning

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This year’s Giants remind me of last season’s Green Bay Packers. Like the Packers last year, New York had to win their final two games of the season to win the NFC East and make the playoffs. The Giants run will end with the Lombard Trophy, just like last year’s Packers.

Both teams will make adjustments at the halftime, causing the bulk of the scoring to occur in the second half. The Giants will get their running game going to assist Manning and the receivers, along with keeping Brady off of the field as much as possible. Brady and the Patriots will have a chance to win the game late, but much like in 2007, the Giants defense will hold strong and secure the New York’s fourth Super Bowl victory.

MCCLAIN’S FINAL SCORE: Giants 28 – Patriots 24    MVP: Eli Manning

BOB CARR’S PREDICTION: Giants 38 – Patriots 24    MVP:  Eli Manning

ERIC STRAUSS’ PREDICTION: Giants 27 – Patriots 17   MVP: Eli Manning

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The Oakland Raiders and their 27^th ranked pass defense had no use for Sterling Moore.

Why would they need a young cornerback who saved the New England Patriots’ season on Sunday during their 23-20 home win versus the Baltimore Ravens?

Moore broke up a potentially game-winning touchdown pass to Lee Evans in the closing seconds on Sunday. Two plays later, when Billy Cundiff missed a 34-yard field goal attempt, the Patriots were headed to Super Bowl XLVI.

“I really didn’t know that I even knocked it out until after,” Moore said after the game. “I still thought he had caught the touchdown, and then I saw the ball rolling away a few feet later. I was just glad I made that play because it was over after that.”

Earlier, it appeared like he would be one of the goats of the contest when his missed tackle sprung Torrey Smith for 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

“Everybody was telling me, ‘We know what you can do, just put that behind you,’” Moore commented. “You gotta have a short memory. … I thought this loss was going to be on me. That was the first thing I could think of. I’m glad it worked out.”

The 21-year-old signed corner was an un-drafted free agent that signed with the Silver & Black in July, only to be cut after training camp. Moore then latched on to New England and was placed on the practice squad before playing in one game, released and signed again later in the campaign.

“Definitely gratifying, it’s a blessing to be here, especially being cut and released and having to come back,” he said. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride this season. I’m just trying to keep it on a high right now.”

The Raiders on the other hand dealt with injuries to Chris Johnson and rookie Chimdi Chekwa, who replaced the ineffective DeMarcus Van Dyke in the line-up. Lito Sheppard was brought in when the defensive backfield was thin, and ultimately, he was picked on during their collapse and Denver’s rise to the division title.

New England’s pass defense did not fare better in 2011, allowing 294-yards per game (31^st in the NFL). But since Moore has been active and getting a lot of reps, they got a two-interception (one returned for a score) performance out of him in the season finale and key contributions in the post-season.

“That was a great play by Sterling,” Tom Brady said. “These games come down to one or two plays. Our defense made a couple of critical plays. It comes down to the end.”

Moore continued, “I feel very fortunate, very blessed just to be here right now. When I was released by the Raiders, who knew that I would be picked up.”

Who knew that you would’ve played a critical role on championship Sunday, and will play such an essential part Brady and Bill Belichick’s quest for a fourth title?

Certainly not the Silver & Black.

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If you’re a fan of the NFL, this is a bittersweet weekend because you are getting a full day worth of football, but very agonizing if you expected your team to be in this spot and you begin to realize that the season is winding down.

The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers are in the final-four. Winners go to the Super Bowl. The losers lament a season that just fell short of being on the grand stage.

RAVENS vs. PATRIOTS

For Baltimore, it’s a simple formula…

Run Ray Rice and hope to get enough pressure on Tom Brady to slow down his offensive onslaught.

In their last playoff meeting, Rice had a monster outing and then boasted about it being his finest day as a pro. The Ravens rushed that afternoon for 234-yards in a 33-14 win at Foxborough. The same must happen again.

Baltimore has to play keep-away, control the clock and pound that suspect New England defense. Yes, the Patriots played inspired football last weekend and looked fiery versus the Broncos. But that was a different offense. The Ravens are far more versatile and can move the chains with consistency with a balanced attack.

Sure, Tom Brady will put up points. That Ravens secondary doesn’t have the talent at cornerback to match-up outside with New England, nor do they want to use their linebackers and safeties in space to cover the best tight end tandem in the league. But ultimately, if Terrell Suggs and the rest of the front-seven can get into the pocket, that can shift the flow of the game dramatically.

Brady is a master and on a mission. Bill Belichick can still game plan with the best of them. And having the game in New England will be vital.

Ultimately, I trust Brady more. And even with all their flaws on defense, I can’t see Joe Flacco playing a mistake free game. As much as I like Rice and what he could potentially do, Belichick and co. will find a way to corral him and Brady’s arsenal will make the Ravens look slow and old.

PREDICTION: Patriots 34 – Ravens 27

GIANTS vs. 49ERS

Jim Harbaugh has the 49ers one-win from the big-game.

Who do I trust more? Eli Manning or Alex Smith? Easily… I’ll go with the man who has already won a ring and more importantly, a passer who has played league MVP-type football all-season for the New York Giants, but will be trumped by the likes of Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers in the voting.

San Francisco’s defense is legit. They are tough, as evidenced by some of the hitting last week and are stout versus the run. But even Brees carved them up and had the Saints up late in the 4^th quarter, while being a one-dimensional attack. The 49ers will get a heavy dose of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, and the Giants the last few weeks have had just as good as a aerial attack as anyone in the league.

Jacobs and Bradshaw are tough and shifty, can break big runs and will keep the 49ers off-balance enough to move the chains and help Manning’s play-action.

The 49ers need a major effort from Frank Gore. If not, they’ll have to depend on Smith’s arm again and that suspect group of receivers. The Giants secondary can be had. But can Kyle Williams, Michael Crabtree or Ted Ginn Jr. make enough plays? They were non-existent last weekend, and the only thing that saved the Niners’ offense was a career-performance from their all-world tight end, Vernon Davis.

Running the ball with Gore is a must. They need a 25+ carry, 130+ yard performance out of him. If they want to slow down that Giants’ pass rush, they must run right at Jason Pierre-Paul and neutralize New York’s four-man rush attack. If Perry Fewell has to commit extra men near the line of scrimmage to stop Gore, that could open it up for Davis, who has a clear advantage over anyone on the Giants defense who tries to cover him.

This game will be tight at the end. As I stated earlier, I trust Manning more, and if New York can apply some pressure on Smith, he’ll surely make a throw that will hurt  his team.

PREDICTION: Giants 23 – 49ers 17

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ESPN posted a narrative from those involved on that fateful evening, when the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots played through a snowstorm on January 19, 2002.

The ‘tuck rule game’ brings back awful memories for fans of the Silver & Black and memorable moments for those that follow the Patriots.

The setting, quality of play and outcome was stunning. Through the snow, the wind and exasperating elements of playoff football, both teams engaged in what will forever be one of the greatest contests the league has ever seen.

That was ten-years ago today.

How time flies?

Tom Brady on that night was an excitable passer in his first playoff game. Now, he’s an all-time great figure and one of the most epic quarterbacks to ever step on a football field. That was one of the foundation wins for a Patriot organization that would go on to be a dynasty.

The Raiders with that devastating defeat in the snow were catapulted the following season to their last divisional crown, and an appearance in a Super Bowl.

Yes, Oakland had immediate success stemming from that loss, but the fortunes of both organizations have been vastly different a decade later.

New England is competing for a chance at their fourth world title with Brady this weekend, while Oakland is in search for their seventh head coach in that span.

It’s not fair to project and assume that Brady and co. would have never been a dynasty without that win. His greatness has shown to be unparalleled, while the team has been the model of consistency since.

It’s also not fair to assume that Oakland would have been able to beat Pittsburgh the following weekend after the tuck game and get in a run of their own.

The facts are, that loss still resonates and brings a lot of joy or pain depending in your rooting interest.

Ten years later, the tuck rule is now common football vernacular and every time a fumble is not a fumble, there’s a Raider fan that feels the pain from that January evening.

RECOLLECTIONS

“It was obvious,” then Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said. “I thought it was a fumble, but the officials thought otherwise.  You can never count on anything in the NFL. Say what you want, (Brady) made some great plays when he had to.”

He was right, Brady made the plays that needed to be made to win the game. For all the hurt that overturned fumble caused, the facts are, Oakland had a chance to win the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Oakland had the ball with the 2:00 warning looming and a chance to ice the game. But on 2nd and short and 3rd and short, the Patriots defense stuffed Charlie Garner and then Zack Crockett, which forced Oakland to punt with time winding down.

A first down there, on those runs up the gut, behind their powerful offensive line, which they frequently picked up throughout the season, would have had Oakland killing the clock.

And even with the tuck rule coming into effect, it took an Adam Vinatieri 45-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, in dastardly conditions to force the game into overtime.

That conversion in my opinion is the greatest field goal in the league’s history.

After the game, all the talk was about the non-fumble. When asked about the play in the locker room, Brady said, “Uh… You know, he hit me. I wasn’t sure. Yeah, I was throwing the ball. How do you like that? Damn right. Damn right.”

Did it hurt? Yes. Does it still irk watching that play and knowing the outcome? Absolutely.

But those are the types of plays that NFL legends are made of. Remember the ‘holy roller’?

What about the Immaculate Reception? Ouch. Forget about that too.

MORE

Posted in late September prior to Oakland’s game vs. the Patriots:

‘Tuck Rule’ outcome not applicable & irrelevant to these Raiders

 

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Last weekend, several former Oakland Raiders were participants on wild-card weekend. How did some of those players/coaches perform on Saturday when the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers engaged in an epic 36-32 contest, and during the New England Patriots romp of the Denver Broncos.

Aaron Kromer – Saints OL coach

The Saints allowed three sacks and had constant pressure put on Drew Brees against a very tough and active 49ers defense. In spite of the 37-yards on only 14 carries, Brees tallied a remarkable 462-yards passing on 40-of-63. With no ground attack, making play action a poor decoy, Brees was still able to rally the Saints for a 32-29 lead on a 66-yard pass to Jimmy Graham late in the final quarter. Kromer’s offensive line was not stellar, and now all three of their five starting linemen can begin to make plans for their trip to the Pro Bowl.

Gerard Warren – Patriots DT

The former 3^rd pick overall in the 2001 draft was a Raider from 2007-2009. He had 10-sacks in Silver & Black. Warren had two tackles, one for a loss on Saturday.

Sterling Moore – Patriots CB

Oakland signed the un-drafted rookie on July of 2011 before being waived in September. Since, he’s been with the Patriots, posting his best game in week-17 when he compiled two interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown. Moore was very good against the Broncos, tallying two passes defended.

John Fox – Broncos head coach

Fox ended his first year in Denver with a 45-10 drubbing in New England. The Broncos did win the AFC West, had an incredible second-half run after starting 2011 at 2-5, placing them in the cellar of the division.

Jim Harbaugh – 49ers head coach

Harbaugh spent two seasons (2002-03) as an offensive assistant with the Silver & Black. He was part of the staff that helped Rich Gannon earn league MVP honors in 2002. On Saturday, in his first campaign as head coach with San Francisco, he earned a thrilling playoff victory at home against the Saints. “You’ve got to live or die in these games and we live on, and we live on in spectacular fashion. I’m really proud of my guys. I know you had ‘The Catch’ and ‘The Drive,’ I don’t know what you call this one,” said Harbaugh after the contest, referring to Vernon Davis 14-yard catch with nine seconds remaining to cap a 36-32 victory.

John Morton – 49ers WR coach

From 1997-2004, Morton worked for the Raiders in the personnel department, quality control on offense and as a wide receiver coach. He also served briefly as a tight end coach. There, he met Harbaugh, which eventually led to his capacity as receiver’s coach with San Francisco.

Tom Rathman – 49ers RB coach

Served in the same capacity for the Raiders for two seasons, aiding Justin Fargas’ success in attaining his first 1,000+-yard season. Rathman also donned the Silver & Black, playing his final campaign in 1994 with Los Angeles. The 49ers ran for 143-yards on Saturday on 22-carries.

Last week’s look at ex-Raiders, click here.

NOTE

• Tom Brady’s six touchdown passes versus the Broncos tied him with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica for most scoring tosses in a single post-season game.

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The Oakland Raiders are one win and some help away from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2002. It all boils down to one more game, but how did they get to this point? Here are five reasons why the Silver & Black have a shot at a post-season berth:

Carson Palmer

Plain and simple, trades of that magnitude featuring quarterbacks of his caliber just don’t happen during the regular season. Especially after a team looses their starter due to injury. Oakland was very fortunate that Palmer and the Bengals were at odds. They were also very lucky that they could pull off that trade and bring in a veteran, who even at his semi-retired state, could potentially bring more to the table than a Kyle Boller or any other journeyman that was out there for the picking.

Jason Campbell entrenched himself as a starter and the team was playing well while he was under center. A significant dip would have been the outcome if any other passer took over. A rarity in the league, Oakland may have upgraded their quarterback position in the coming years with an in-season move.

Michael Bush

Darren McFadden’s injury would have crippled other teams. The most dynamic player on their offense, McFadden was the league’s best rusher when he went down. But Oakland’s depth and strength at running back kept them afloat.

Bush’s presence was needed, even though the team has not been the force on the ground they were when both shared time in the backfield. This proves Bush’s value and how imperative it will be to keep around for next season. Oakland could tag him to keep him from testing the free-agent waters. It would be foolish to trade either back, especially since McFadden missed the entire second half of the campaign, Bush has demonstrated to be valuable and no other rushers on this team that has proven they can produce at this level. It’s an area of strength… and Palmer hasn’t even had a full complement on offense to his disposal.

Richard Seymour

Missing in action in a few games, the veteran for a couple of weeks did not impact games the way Oakland needed him to. Against Miami, Seymour continued his streak of ejections and many were wondering when would this former Super Bowl champion make plays to help this team turn things around?

In Kansas City on Saturday, he had two blocked field goals, one at the end of regulation, which kept the Raiders alive to see another weekend.

At times he’s had penalties that have hurt Oakland and his play may have been slowed due to injuries. But his leadership in the locker-room and winning past may begin to pay dividends.

Special Teams

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a team record six field goals versus the Bears, Bryan McCann had a 91-yard return at Kansas City and Shane Lechler continues to help Oakland shift field position on opponents.

This valuable component is an x-factor in every game Oakland wins. John Fassel is one of the more underrated unit coaches in the league and if the Raiders can get Jacoby Ford back healthy, they could put more pressure on foes with another special teams threat.

New England and Buffalo

Two teams that Oakland were defeated by have helped the Silver & Black in the last two weeks. The Broncos have lost two in a row, losing 41-23 to the Patriots and 40-14 to the Bills.

Wins in those games would have put the AFC West out of reach for Oakland. Instead, Tim Tebow and the Broncos face a crucial final game against the Chiefs, starring at a possible three-game losing streak to end the campaign after wining six in a row to take a lead of the division.
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It’s December, which means its put-up or shut-up time in the NFL. This is when the contenders make their move and the pretenders fall to the wayside. SBReport.net will take another look at the playoff contenders and pretenders in the AFC, until we hit the post-season.

LOCKED-IN

New England Patriots (9-3)

Only injuries could derail their run for a first-round bye. But, as I stated a few weeks ago, Bill Belichick’s defense may be too leaky to move on during the post-season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

In late November, I stated that this could be the most dangerous team in the AFC, regardless of venue and opponent they face. Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and a gritty defense could beat anyone, anywhere.

Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

Their schedule is weak enough to help them end the season strong. If Pittsburgh slips a tad, John Harbaugh’s crew could take the division.

ON THE RISE

Denver Broncos (7-5)

Tim Tebow is the talk of the NFL. The Broncos lead the league in rushing, have taken the top spot in the AFC West and are in the midst of a five-game winning streak since the polarizing passer got under center.

QUIET THREAT

New York Jets (7-5)

They’ve won two in a row; have a home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs this week, and appear to strike again late in the season. Rex Ryan’s team has a knack of making late season runs to sneak into the playoffs. Will it happen again?

OVERRATED

Houston Texans (9-3)

In my first installment of this playoff outlook, I believed the Texans were overrated. Andre Johnson still isn’t 100% and their quarterback situation did not get any better since. Gary Kubiak has done a nice job keeping this team together and should be considered for coach of the year, but I have little faith this team can make noise in January.

FLOUNDERING

Oakland Raiders (7-5)

Face Green Bay tomorrow, then the Detroit Lions in Ndamukong Suh’s return, before facing two rivals as the season winds down. If they win the West and make the playoffs, it would be hard earned. They need Darren McFadden and their receivers to get healthy as soon as possible.

Tennessee Titans (7-5)

Chris Johnson is starting to heat up, but it’s too little too late for a team that has been surprisingly competitive all campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)

A victim of being in a tough AFC North, the Bengals have set themselves up for the future nicely. Seven wins was unexpected with a rookie passer – a playoff spot is just the cherry on top of the sundae.

Seedings if the playoffs were to begin today:

1. Pats; 2. Steelers; 3. Texans; 4. Broncos; 5. Ravens; 6. Bengals.

Here was my playoff outlook prior to week-12:

AFC Playoff picture heading into Week-12

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This weekend’s match-ups in the NFL will be the last for the month of November, as the league heads for its stretch run towards the playoffs. SBReport.net will take a weekly look at the playoff contenders and pretenders in the AFC until we hit the post-season.

LOCKED IN

New England Patriots (7-3)

They have an easy schedule, with games lined up against the Colts (0-10), at Washington (3-7), and at Denver (5-5), before closing at home versus the Dolphins (3-8) and Bills (5-5). They are destined for an opening week bye in the playoffs, but nothing is guaranteed after that with a shaky defense.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

They are unbeaten at home, so expect the Ravens to go hard to ensure a bye and home field advantage. Baltimore is a contender to come out of the AFC, but Joe Flacco has to step his game up a few notches.

ON THE RISE

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

Mike Tomlin’s bunch is playoff tested and if they get in, regardless of venue, they’ll draw from that past success and Ben Roethlisberger’s clutch play to carry them through. With two games remaining against the Browns and a match-up against the Rams, it’s foreseeable they’ll be on the road on Wild-Card weekend with double digit wins.

QUIET THREAT

Oakland Raiders (6-4)

Carson Palmer is hitting his stride – and he hasn’t had Darren McFadden in the line-up since he took over as starter. Things broke right for the Silver & Black this week: facing a Jay Cutler-less Bears squad. The rest of the division is floundering and as long as Oakland takes care of business the final two weeks of the campaign, they’ll have a home playoff game for the first time since 2002.

OVERRATED

Houston Texans (7-3)

They lost Matt Schaub, so they’ll lean heavily on Arian Foster (740-rushing yards) and Ben Tate (686). Andre Johnson should be back soon, but will their defense show up in big spots? Will their rankings on defense  translate to playoff football?

FLOUNDERING

Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

They could end up with a better record than the West winner and not make the playoffs. Still, this team is too young and not ready for primetime action – and it will show.

New York Jets (5-5)

They don’t ground and pound anymore, and regardless of what Rex Ryan and the staff says, questions are surrounding Mark Sanchez’s development and ability to carry a club. The defense has been broken in key spots, as this could be the weakest of Ryan’s units since he landed in New York.

Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Not the same team that was on a roll at the start of the season. Goes to show you in the NFL, is not whom you play, but when you play them.

Denver Broncos (5-5)

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow didn't stop winning after he left Oakland.

Yes, floundering, but on the prey with Tim Tebow. If Denver can covert a few more 3^rd downs and get more dynamic on offense the next few weeks, they have a solid enough defense to scare the Raiders atop the division. Heck, who am I to question Tebow? I don’t want to get struck by lightning.

Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Unless there is a collapse in Houston, the Titans will be on outside looking in. The Texans have taken advantage of a weak division and a soft schedule, winners of four in a row, to put distance between themselves and the Titans.

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