I didn't feel right about the game last week...and I don't like the Pats chances this week, either. The last time they played out there the Pats won...2008...their defensive front and offensive 11 are quantum leaps above and beyond THAT Raider squad.
They have proven ability to get to the outside on running plays...and McFadden has breakaway speed.Does anybody NOT think he'll gash the Patriots for at least a couple of long gains?
Campbell, as has been noted,is 9 times more likely to draw PI flags than Brady, so far this season...and the game is in Oaktown. I always expect a bias toward the home team, and this game is no different...momentum changing calls could break the Patriots back,and if it gets into a Brady "must pass" situation, I think he could take a real beating.
I DO NOT like Hernandez being missing from this offense. It decidedly changes what they can and cannot do ...IMO of course.
Chad Johnson must show up for this game....not just small samples or little windows of what he can do in this offense, but actual four quarter game performance.
I still don't understand why Ridley is being underutilized...to me, he is the best back to keep the ears of the Oakland D line from being pinned back and setting sights on Brady. If BJGE performs like he did in Buffalo, Brady will be throwing all day without Ridley's input..again..IMO.
Welker ,Gronk and who?..Branch was invisible last week...can Price stretch the field AND make the catches DURING the game? Seems like a lot to hope for.I just can't get the images of the Raiders grabbing and holding Gronk off the line and hitting Welker all game in his patterns,with sparse holding and PI calls out of my mind. Perhaps I'm just a paranoid.
God, I hope I'm wrong...but...Raiders by 4
