TheGodInAGreyHoodie

First off. The Pats will be pumped. This is a must win game if the Patriots want to make the playoffs.

Also the team want to win this one for Matt. Matt is getting a game ball from this game. He could have the worse game in the history of NEP QBs he is still being voted to get the game ball. That is just part of the brotherhood. Everyone on the team want to win this one for Matt.

The Raiders are out of the playoff hunt.

Let remember back to the 2003 Packers - Raiders game.

I don't root for the Packers, I don't particularly like Favre. I was rooting for Favre that night as was everyone else in the country including some Raiders fans. At that point in the season the Raiders were out of the playoff hunt.

In that game Brett threw a lot of passes that should have been picked off. (okay he does that most game, that is just his style) But they weren't. There were completed passes. And some folks want to credit his receivers for that. And no doubt they had a lot to do with it. But I think the Raiders defense had a quite a bit to do with it.

Put yourself in the shoes of a Raiders defense players. Your season is over. You win and you improve your record to 5-10 instead of dropping to 4-11 with a loss. Do you really want to put a bone crushing sack on Brett Favre the day after his father died? Do you really look forward to bragging in the post game interview about picking off an int and ruining Farve's offense? Probably not.

I don't think the Raiders threw the game in 2003, and I don't think they will purposely lose this week. But I really doubt the Oakland pass rushers will be playing with the level of intensity and desire to sack Matt as say the Steelers pass rushers had. Same deal with the corners and safeties, I don't think they are going to be willing to put in the extra effort to get an interception.

BelichickFan

It won't be the same, Cassel's dad will get a mention here and there but it won't be the ball washing that Favre got (no disrepect to his dad intended). That was just about the one and only story heading into that game. This one will be a mere curiosity other than to Patriots' fans.

QuinielaBox

We must win this game if we want to continue the 2008 campaign. That alone should be enough motivation.

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Patriots winning just a game used to be cause for major celebration.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

My point was more about the lack of motivation that might exist on the Raiders side than the motivation that the Pats players would have.

blackglass3

I agree, but this will be nowhere near that level. If I am not mistaken, that was a Monday night game. Plus, Brett Favre is, well, Brett Favre. When he farts there are a few mics around to catch it. Matt Cassel is nowhere close to the level of celebrity.

Most of what you said about the Raiders is correct, but it will be a low rated 4PM game , and just a blip during the recap shows on Espn and NBC. With Farve it was the national story for a good week or two.

SVN

i dont really think someones personal situation needs to be used as motivation. favre was a different case and he as usual didnt mind the spotlight .it all comes down to playing smart like we have done in the past. the emotion will wear off in a few mins. we all thought the pats will be pumped up after the steelers debacle but it didnt turn out that way at the start.
coming to football pts, we need to stop zach miller and their running game and protect cassel against a decent front.not to mention their return and kicking game isnt bad either.
on the road and in the west coast for the 2nd succesive week after the embarassment the raiders had last week against the chargers, its going to be tough fought out game not to mention our injuries.

PATRIOT64

The Raiders fans who are wacked and crazy will be pumped up as always and a guy named RANDY MOSS will be a big reason for them to be loud and obnoxious

If you are expecting a Raiders team to let up on Matt and hold on the blitz because of his dad you are freaking nuts

The Raiders will be all out to ruin Randy and the boys day and you can bet it will be a competitive game,at least for 3 quarters of play.

Our defensive secondary sucks and that most always will keep the opposition in the game if they avoid turnovers.

With that being said,the Pats as it looks on paper should win this game but with this secondary NO game anytime soon is anything near a gimme

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tobias funke

I firmly believe the Pats can lose any game they want to this season if they try hard enough.

Including this one.

That's what makes it exciting.

WhiZa

It's a problem of motivation, all right? Now if the Raiders work their ass off and score a few extra points, they don't see another dime; so where's the motivation? And here's something else, they have eight different bosses right now.

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blackglass3

+100,000,000 for awesomeness!