A Review On the Raiders

This is what you guys can expect from the Raiders this weekend vs. the chiefs.

Look, I'm not going to tell you things you can find out by stats. This is more of what to expect type of article from a person who has watched and dissected every game.

Offense:

The Raiders are going to give McFadden the ball at least 25 times in this game assuming he gets through it injury free.

Oakland will try to spread Kansas City out. What I mean by that, is that you should expect a decent amount of 5 WR sets (McFadden included as a receiver). 

Also, Oakland likes to run lots of one on one match-ups in the running game. You can expect many power tosses and reverses. Hue loves to keep the defense spread out.

With Oakland's speed, there's always a decent chance the Raiders will break a long one.

The Raiders absolutely love to give Marcel Reece the ball in passing situations. For those who don't know who Reece is, he's a converted receiver playing a hybrid fullback type of role. 

I can almost guarantee you the 21 package will be the toughest for the Chiefs to defend. They will have to account for both running backs, and usually defenses focus in on McFadden. That's why Reece could break another one if the chiefs aren't disciplined. 

Expect a lot of max protection. Expect to hear the name Khalif Barnes a lot. Barnes is the swing tackle that the Raiders like to use as an extra blocking tight end. In fact, he may actually be used as a tight end in a goal line situation.

Veldheer is playing really well at left tackle. Whether he's a match for Tamba Hali, we'll see. But, he's the league leader in false starts. Something that needs to be corrected.

If Zach Miller plays, he's a headache for opposing defenses. the Chiefs will no doubt try to take him away.

That's why the DHB match-up vs. Brandon Flowers is key.  Oakland usually will try to use the double move two or three times a game.It's certainly different from the chiefs style of passing.

Defense: 

Oakland's scheme isn't that difficult to figure out. They play gap control type of scheme. One player makes a mistake, Charles or Jones will probably break one.

The Raiders play Seymour at the three technique, and Tommy Kelly at the 1 technique.

Tommy Kelly and Seymour can exploited for offsides penalties. Some guys just don't seem to learn. Kelly is perennially in the lead for offsides. Cassel should take advantage for some cheap yards.

In pass rushing situations, John Marshall loves to use various types of stunts. You'll see a lot of Kam Wimbey trying to beat Brian Waters inside.

When Wimbley rushes the passer, he's a one trick pony. He's a speed rusher. 

McClain will be key in stopping the rush. He's very instinctive (something Kirk Morrison has no idea about) but he'll occasionally be walled off (e.g. Frank Gore run). He needs to be near perfect, or else it could be a long day.

Stanford Routt can be beat. On some plays he'll look as good as Asomugha, on others he'll get burned for 6. He needs to shut down Bowe, assuming Asomugha doesn't play.

Mike Mitchell needs to be accounted for. He plays sort of a hybrid type of linebacker in third down packages. Mitchell has definitely been the most improved player on the Raiders defense this season.

When the Raiders blitz, they usually bring the safeties.  

Huff is not that good of a tackler. If he's the last line of the defense against the runner, it's a 50-50 shot Charles will get past him. 

The Raiders will be in a single deep safety most of the game if Al has a say in this one.

Special teams: 

Miller is a very clever punt returner. Not much speed, but certainly smart.

Ford is a threat returning the ball for a score. HE hasn't show much yet, but he still has that 4.2 Raiders speed.

I believe it's the left end zone, but that's the one that Janikowski always kicks a touchback from. Look for many touch backs 

Coaching

Cable is normally very good when he challenges.

Depending on the situation Cable will go for it. He isn't as extreme as Haley.

The game management has not always been the best for the Raiders. For example, the last drive in the first half in the Arizona game. Oakland tossed it to McFadden with no timeouts at the 15 second mark (McFadden got in).

Anyway, it should be a good game. I'm definitely looking forward to it.