Oakland Raiders Blog

So there I am, patting myself on the back for calling this week’s upset as Johnnie Lee Higgens returned a punt for 93-yards with under 5 minutes to go. The Raiders defense, playing solid as usual, just had to shut down the Fish for one drive and I will become a self-ordained seer. Well no, a couple of big plays capped off by Oakland’s homegrown Devone Bess’ 17-yard grab got Miami into field goal range and here we are. Raiders lose 17-15 to the Dolphins as the offense, now under command of interim head coach Tom Cable, extended their streak to 13 straight quarters without scoring an offensive touchdown. The Raiders managed 2 field goals, a sack, anda Higgins punt return, but feeble production from the ground and air game.

Now I’m not one for playing the “what-if” game, but what-if the Raiders managed a mediocre offense this year? A few strong fourth quarter drives, a few clutch third down conversions, a few defensive stands, and the Raiders this year are easily 5-5 and 2nd place in the AFC West and one game out of first place.

I know… the what-if game is a slippery slope and for all we know, with enough what ifs, the Lions also may actually have won a game this year and the Patriots would have won the Superbowl. But no, the Lions are winless and the Patriots are jackasses (or jackass’ ?) for buying the copyrights to the phrase “19-0″ before the Superbowl. But anyhow, let’s take a look at this years close ones:

Week 3: Raiders lose 23-24 and blew a 3-possession lead giving up 17-points to the Bills in the final eight minutes of the game.

Week 4: Raiders went into the half controlling San Diego with a 15-0 lead and then gave up 25-points in the 4th quarter losing 28-18.

Week 11: Raiders couldn’t hold Miami’s last drive despite taking the lead 15-14 with 4-minutes to go.

It’s a shame, I was looking forward to titling this entry with a defeaning RRRAAAAIIIIDDDDEEERRRRSSSS call.

As silly as turf toe sounds, it’s an injury serious enough to keep running backs off the field for extended periods of time. Think of Josh Beckett’s (Red Sox) frequent problems with blisters in his fingers. Anyway, players always have the option of taking a pain killer shot to alleviate the pain and, if they so choose, play through turf toe. And no, it’s nothing like that behind the door sketchy scene with Jon Voight – Coach Kilmer – in Varsity Blues. Okay…I digress, anyway, McFadden is adamantly against taking any pain killer:

McFadden: Nah, I ain’t taking no shot. The last time I took a shot (Buffalo), it made it worse on me, so that’s something I’m not gonna do again.

I’m perfectly fine with Darren McFadden taking a pass and to anyone pushing for the rookie to play, relax, the Raiders should be fine against Miami this week. Despite Vegas placing the Raiders as 10-point underdogs, the Raiders destroyed Miami last year 35-17 easily. Yes it was a one-win Miami team but they were playing without beastly Ronnie Brown down the stretch, and the Raiders destroyed the fish when Brown was healthy.

Don’t worry about McFadden, let the injury heal out, and place your bets on the Raiders this week. They’ll turn some heads.