Raiders vs Broncos - Review - 44drob's Blog

Arena Blog Dynasty Scores Sign Up ☰

44drob's Blog

Raiders vs Broncos - Review

Posted on September 13, 2011 at 11:30 AM.

(3)

Posted @ : http://www.mpnnow.com/enright/x462620847/Raiders-vs-Broncos-review

Marcel Reece scores on a 16-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jason Campbell.

When the Oakland Raiders win a football game there�s always a lot to be happy about. For instance, the silver-and-black have now won 8-straight games in their division (6-0 last year), they won in Denver for the fourth-straight year, gave first-year head coach Hue Jackson his first career win, and dished Denver its first home-opening loss since 2000.

Of course, in a narrow 23-20 win there�s always a few critiques, especially when Oakland was ahead, 16-3, at halftime. But first, the positives.

OFFENSE
It�s clear that fourth-year running back Darren McFadden picked up where he left off last year, rushing for 150 yards on 22 hard-nosed carries, which is not only an NFL-best thus far, but also the highest tally in Raiders season-opening history. The Raiders logged 190 total offensive rushing yards, which ranks No. 2 in the NFL only to Philadelphia.

What I had hoped to see was a couple carries by halfback Taiwan Jones, the rookie out of Eastern Washington. Jones is an electrifying back that, I am sure, would have added a nice element to the party at Mile High Stadium Monday night. Aside from giving the rock to No. 22 two or three times, I have no further critiques on the Raiders� rushing attack.

But for the passing game, this is an area that needs more focus. Jason Campbell tallied 105 yards on 13 completions of 22 attempts and one touchdown pass, which was to third-year fullback Marcel Reece. Oakland receivers had a mere seven catches � McFadden had one catch for six yards and Reece had three grabs for 23 yards, including his 16-yard touchdown reception. Take into consideration that the Raiders� No. 1 wideout Louis Murphy, No. 1 tight end Kevin Boss and Derek Hagan, a fifth-year man acquired from the Giants, were all inactive. Obviously this would have helped Campbell and Oakland�s passing attack.

What I don�t like, however, is the disregard for highly touted rookie Denarious Moore, who received nothing but the highest of praises in the preseason. The receiver from Tennessee was projected to be in the starting lineup. He was thrown to once, Campbell badly mistimed the pass, and it fell incomplete. The replay showed Moore wide open and a 65-yard touchdown would have been the result had the connection been made. Moore has serious speed, but was never thrown to again. His only other touch was on a minus-3 yard reverse that was annulled due to a penalty.

DEFENSE
Oakland�s defense played tremendously. Denver managed a mere 38 yards rushing as a team with third-year halfback Knowshon Moreno garnering just 22 yards on eight carries, and this gives the Raiders the No. 1 rushing defense in football.

Allowing Kyle Orton to tally 304 passing yards irks me slightly, but he produced such figures because the Broncos� running game was severely lacking. Orton had 46 pass attempts, completing only 24 of them.

Oakland generated five sacks � two from 11th-year Pro Bowler and team captain Richard Seymour � an interception and three forced fumbles. The Raiders had four tackles for losses and blocked a punt.

X-FACTOR
When there�s a torrential downpour it affects both squads, though some will argue that if a team is more pass-happy that it will ruin their game plan more than a rush-heavy team, and I suppose that is true to an extent. In similar regard, the Broncos kicked off five times and Jacoby Ford had zero returns as all Denver boots sailed to the back of the end zone. Anyone watching the game could clearly see Ford lining up with his heels on the end line praying the pigskin would land in his hands. Ford, who ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine a year ago, holds Oakland�s record for kickoffs returned for touchdowns set last year when he took three to pay dirt with distances of 94, 99 and 101 yards. Not only do these touchbacks affect his playmaking ability, but is also affects Oakland�s field position.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Sebastian Janikowski is a beast. He tied the NFL record with a 63-yard field goal. He has made 27 field goals of 50-plus yards, and we all saw his pregame warm-up�s when he made a 70 yarder. Janikowski is a perfect 3 for 3 this year. Punter Shane Lechler tied an Oakland record with a 77-yard punt.

Denver�s Eric Decker got a cheap one, I think. His 90-yard punt return was well earned, sure, but it should be noted that in Lechler�s 12-year NFL career he has punted 861 times and Decker became only the third player to return a punt for a touchdown.

PENALTIES
Is it really a surprise that the Raiders had 15 penalties for 131 yards? Oakland has had more false starts than any team in the NFL since 1998. This nonsense really ticks me off and I have been wishing for years that the Raiders could clean it up a little bit. Imagine an Oakland team that doesn�t give up more than the length of the field in penalties.

CONCLUSION
Hue Jackson appears to be, for now, the right fit for the Raiders. It�s clear there is far more aggression on defense, reflecting the old Raider mystique. Al Davis has a love affair for the deep ball, and I think he should. Oakland has the speed to challenge Jamaica�s world-record-setting 4x100-meter relay team. But let�s oil that machine just a little, and continue to run the football. I�m not going to make any bold predictions, but I think it�s obvious the Raiders are en route for a 10-win season.

Comments

# 1 bmj2k7 @ Sep 13

I wouldn't count on 10 wins from your average at best Qb in Campbell, he dumps it off too quickly, dosen't look down field after his first or second read. I think you will get swepted by the Chargers, and probaby go 1-1 with the chiefs and broncos, so that's already 4 losses right there, so the chances of 10 wins goes out the window. Bc honestly there not that good, especially without Nnamdi on D. and Campbell is a career backup at best, no one is afraid of him beating you with his arm, he's basically there Sanchez, run the ball, play good D and don't screw it up.

# 2 DaggerSwagger @ Sep 13

@bmj2k7 only time will time eventually won't it?

# 3 44drob @ Sep 13

@bmj2k7 Im counting on at least 8-9 wins this season ... If Campbell completes 50% percent of his passes and the D plays solid theres no way they shouldnt sweep or atleast win 6 of their first 10 games .... second half of the season will be key for the raiders .