Fans of the Oakland Raiders feel like we have enough passion to spark the team to a win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, December 24, the question is, do the players have as much fire and passion as the fans? I’ve heard many comments recently that the team doesn’t have near the heart that the fans in Raider Nation do.

Tyvon Branch
Wikimedia Commons

It’s a legitimate question after three consecutive losses, but I don’t know I’m sure anyone could say it was true without knowing the players personally. We can only hope the players bring everything they’ve got to the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Eve.

Here is a look at the thoughts of the players on the Silver and Black in regard to the battle with the rival Kansas City team.

Offense

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said, “It’s big for the NFL and it’s big for us. The NFL set it up just right where you have two division games at the end of the season so we have to be ready to go.”

Quarterback Carson Palmer commented on the Chiefs’ game against the Packers, he said “he believes the Chiefs defensive success against the Packers was the result of execution at all the positions.” Palmer added, “[They] covered the receivers, got pressure on the quarterback, and there was little to no run game. They had a couple nice plays here and there, but they tried to throw the ball on them and it was a tough day. Both corners are really good, really physical, fast. They’re safeties are rangy and they’ve got Tamba Hali on one side and a bunch of good pass rushers around him. So, it’s just a really good unit top to bottom.”

Offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski remarked, “It’s a huge game. You kind of have a little two game playoff here, you have to win them both and we need a little bit of help to get in the playoffs. We’re looking at it like a do-or-die situation with our backs up against the wall and we have to fight these guys for four quarters and get a win.”

Wisniewski will have to work hard to limit the Chiefs’ linebacker Tamba Hali, a fellow former Penn State player. Coach Saunders said that Hali is a very gifted player with tremendous speed.

Tight end Kevin Boss says, “It’s what the NFL is all about, it’s exciting. It’s playing for a playoff berth against a rival such as Kansas City, one of our biggest rivals, so it’s exciting.”

Defense

The man everyone has their eyes on lately is Chuck Bresnahan, defensive coordinator. Bresnahan says, “We have got to come out, stop the run, and then we have got to be very disciplined in our coverage, and step it up a notch and really hold ourselves accountable to make up for last week. The guys understand what is at stake now and not that they haven’t up until this point, but they definitely know what is at stake and I think there is a real attitude chip on the shoulder to make it right.”

Safety Tyvon Branch commented, “It’s great, especially with everybody in the hunt like we are, each game means a little more and a little more. And for one of those games to be a rivalry game is big for us.”

It’s big for Raider fans too. We really want this, there is no question there. Finally, head coach Hue Jackson may have hit the nail on the head when he said, Whether it’s a play that’s two yards or whether it’s a play that’s twenty yards, we got to play consistently for four quarters and finish the game.”

Really, Santa, it’s all I want for Christmas this year. Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson said Thursday that he asked the NFL why a penalty wasn’t called on Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for removing his helmet after he blocked Sebastian Janikowski’s 65-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in last weekend’s 28-27 Detroit victory.

Players can be penalized 15 yards for removing their helmets on the field of play. That could have given Janikowski another field-goal try, this time from 50 yards.

But Jackson said league officials told him that the game was over when Suh removed his helmet, so no penalty was called.

“They had blown end of regulation,” Jackson said. “… So it’s like going to shake somebody’s hand. But it looked like it was close. It was inconclusive is what they said.”

Jackson spoke to league officials to complain about the number of penalties being called on the Raiders after their 27-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. The Raiders are on pace for 160 penalties for 1,374 yards, which would break the league record set by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs.

“I’m not surprised anymore,” Jackson said. “I’m not bashing the officials; I’m not saying that. I just think if you ask me what’s been the difference (in losing close games), that’s been a big difference.”

With the Oakland Raiders facing the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Eve morning, a win by the Silver and Black would make it a much merrier Christmas for the Raider Nation. With the way things have gone this season, I wouldn’t place any bets, but I truly believe we’re going to see a victory for out team on Saturday. Please, Santa? We might have been naughty on occasion, but in general fans of the Raiders have been a good bunch this year, and it’s time we’re treated to a win for Christmas. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.

Darrius Heyward-Bey
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiders are slightly favored over the Chiefs by 2.5 points, not that it really makes a difference one way or another, but I believe Oakland is going to come out on fire Saturday and ready to win. They played well during three and a half quarters last Sunday against the Lions and if they can hang on for four this time, we’ll get our much deserved Christmas present.

The Silver and Black have to be frustrated after losing their last three, and coming so close last time. They’re ticked off, and they should be. They had to play Kansas City just after Jason Campbell was taken down and quarterback Carson Palmer had just arrived. He was in no way ready, throwing three interceptions in the second half, and was partially responsible for the team’s 28-0 loss.

Palmer has developed a rhythm now, and though he wasn’t at his best against the Dolphins or the Packers, he was much improved against Detroit, completing 32 of 40 pass attempts for 367 yards, and scoring a touchdown. And this time, no interceptions.

That’s what we need this Saturday. Palmer at his best, another great day by receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, and a stellar job on defense especially, forcing the Chiefs’ to as many turnovers as possible. And, keep the penalties to a minimum guys.

Yes, the Chiefs beat the Green Bay Packers, but as we all know, anything can happen in football, it does, and it did last Sunday. I don’t believe they have it in them to fight another tough battle which is what the Raiders will bring in week 15.

Whether running back Darren McFadden or receiver Jacoby Ford will make a return in the second to last game of the season remains to be seen. Both players were running at practice on Tuesday, which is a good sign, but they still weren’t actually involved in practice. I’d give Ford a slightly better chance than McFadden for making an appearance in Kansas City.

The Silver and Black will have to work with whatever they’ve got, and just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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It didn’t take long to recall my favorite sports memory of 2011, in fact it will probably go down as one of my all-time favorite moments in the history of football. The Oakland Raiders’ iconic owner, Al Davis, passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2011.

Oakland Raiders Sebastian Janikowski
Broken Sphere/Wikimedia Commons

On October 9, the Raiders faced the Houston Texans , a team that was favored to soundly stomp them. The Silver and Black were highly emotional going into Reliant Stadium that day, and at first it looked like they would lose as predicted, but something changed, and they suddenly came alive.

Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals, three for over 50-yards, with special teams winning much of that battle. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was also responsible for a touchdown. By the end of the day, he’d caught seven passes for 99 yards.

The final moments of that game became one of the most wild roller coaster rides of the season. It seemed like the Silver and Black were destined to another disappointing end, with the Texans headed for a touchdown. Instead, safety Michael Huff jumped up and caught the interception in the end zone, just as the clock expired.

It was one of the most emotional games I’ve experienced as a Raider fan, with Oakland sealing their win against the Texans in the final seven seconds. The final score was 25-20, and head coach Hue Jackson was overwhelmed by emotion as he fell to his knees, weeping. I doubt there were many dry eyes among fellow Raider fans that day. Even the sports announcer was quite choked up, and it became yet another great moment in the history of my favorite team.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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The Oakland Raiders’ veteran punter, Shane Lechler, has been in the headlines often for his outstanding efforts this season. I don’t think there would be much argument as to whether or not he’s the best at what he does in the NFL currently, but there has been some disagreement as to whether or not he is the best punter in the history of football.

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

Just last week, the 35-year-old was selected to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The team recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions, and felt Lechler was the best at exhibiting exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

The question that’s been asked by many in the Raider Nation is, “Who is the best punter of all-time? Should that recognition be given to the former Oakland Raiders’ great, Ray Guy, or Lechler?”

Here is a look at both sides of the argument.

Lechler’s amazing 80-yard punt in the game against the Chicago Bears on November 27 went into the record books. The initial record of 77-yards was set five decades ago by Wayne Crow. Lechler tied that record in the Raiders’ 2011 opening game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field.

Lechler holds the record for the best average per punt in the NFL in his career at 47.3, which surpasses the legendary Sammy Baugh who played back in the 1940s and ’50s, and held the record at 45.1. Lechler’s 2011 season average is 51.5.

Oakland’s current punter is a six-time Pro Bowler, and he’s been named an All-Pro six times. In addition to his impressive stats, he is also the Raiders’ emergency quarterback, and in week six in the game against the Cleveland Browns, Lechler threw a 35-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown.

Looking at Guy’s stats, his longest punt was 74-yards back in 1977, also kicked in Denver. He never missed a game in his 14 seasons with the Raiders and he was also the first pure punter ever taken in the first round of the draft.

Guy led the league in punting averages three times in his career and was All-Pro three times. When he retired in 1986, his career average was 42.4 yards. Guy had only three of his 1,049 punts blocked, and was the first player to ever hit Louisiana Superdome scoreboard.

Guy was certainly an exceptional punter, and one of the top all-time, but Jerrell Wilson, who played for 16 seasons in the ’60s and ’70s with the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots, ended his career with a 53 yard average. He had a season high average of 45.5 yards compared to Guy’s 45.4.

Guy is one of my favorite players of all time and he should, by all rights, be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but in this argument, I give the edge to Lechler.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett .

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In 2005, the Oakland Raiders promoted 2003 draft pick Nnamdi Asomugha to a full-time starter. He quickly developed into one of the league’s elite cover corners in Oakland’s man-coverage scheme.

From 2006-10, the Raiders ranked in the top 10 in passing defense each season, but Asomugha signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2011 season. Not surprisingly, the Raiders secondary has suffered in his absence. They are currently ranked 23rd in the league, allowing 244 yards through the air each week.

For Detroit, it’s unfair to call this Calvin Johnson’s breakout season. Perhaps it’s more apt to say he’s ascended to elite status with his 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns through 14 games this season.

At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, it’s Johnson’s size that is the noticeable advantage, but it was his sub 4.4 40-yard speed that torched the Raiders for nine receptions, 214 and a pair of touchdowns. 

Johnson did a significant chunk of damage on two plays, amassing 99 yards on two deep balls over the middle.  In the first quarter, Johnson hauled in a perfectly placed pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford after running a fly route right past the two Oakland safeties. 

In the fourth quarter, with the Lions down six late, the wideout again got behind the last line of coverage. This time Stafford underthrew Johnson, but he was able to adjust, come back to the ball, and haul in the 48-yard pass at the Raiders 13-yard line. 

Appropriately, Johnson caught the game-winning touchdown four plays later when he blew past cornerback Stanford Routt on a post pattern from the slot. 

The Raiders made the mistake of trying to defend Johnson with a single-coverage most of the day, and he made them pay time and time again. Johnson obviously took advantage of his speed on deep routes, but was also able to use it to get a step on his man underneath the coverage and pick up big chunks of yardage after the catch.

Johnson picked up 24 yards on a simple jerk route in the second quarter when he feigned sitting down in coverage two yards beyond the line of scrimmage, but once Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain bit, Johnson accelerated across the middle into open space. He gained 22 yards after the catch.  

Despite the huge statistical performance for Johnson, there were three missed opportunities to pad the box score. 

First, Johnson dropped the first pass thrown in his direction, a 15-yard post pattern that was a touch behind him, but easily catchable.

Later in the first half, on a well designed crossing route that utilized 265-pound tight end Brandon Pettigrew as a moving screen, Johnson caught a short pass going across the middle of the field. Usually one man can’t bring Johnson down, but Routt made an impressive diving tackle. If he had been unable to wrap up, the next, and only remaining defender between Johnson and a 46-yard touchdown was 15-yards down the field. 

Finally, in the third quarter, the Lions lined up in a four-receiver set with two receivers bunched on either side of the line. From the inside position to the right side of the field, Johnson managed to get behind the entire Raiders defense just 18 yards down the field. But a corner blitz by Lito Sheppard forced Stafford to unload his pass a touch early.  The throw, which would have resulted in a 47-yard touchdown, sailed a yard beyond Johnson’s outstretched arms. 

Johnson didn’t need to rely on his size to his advantage against the Raiders. The Oakland cornerbacks rarely physically engaged the over-sized receiver at the line of scrimmage, and because the Raiders didn’t employ double and triple-coverage, the Lions weren’t pressed into throwing him jump balls. 

Because play selection is determined by situation, it’s crude math to project Johnson would have had “X” amount of yards or touchdowns if he and Stafford had capitalized on any of the particular plays the Raiders defense nearly surrendered.

Still, it’s amazing to know that even with a career-high in receiver yards, Johnson missed out on a few more big plays during the course of the game. It’s safe to say future opponents will use the tape from this game as a study guide on how not to defend Johnson. 

Although the ending to the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions didn’t go the way that fans, and the team, would have liked, there were still quite a few highlights in the match up that made most of the afternoon fun and exciting.

Darrius Heyward-Bey
Wikimedia Commons

The chances for a post-season for the Silver and Black may have faded, but they aren’t completely out of it yet. Yes, a lot of improvement needs to be made, but true fans of the team know we’ll be there through it all. I’d rather be a fan of the Raiders whether they are winning or losing than of any other team in the NFL.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey had the best game of his career, despite it being overshadowed by the loss. He had eight catches for 155 yards and a touchdown, and he really gave 100% on Sunday against the Lions. Even after taking a hit he wasn’t going down and battled it out for as many yards as he could.

In the second half the receiver made a couple of mistakes that may have cost the Raiders some points, but if he hadn’t had the impressive first half, they likely wouldn’t have scored as many as they did either. It’s easy to look back and say “what if,” but I believe Heyward-Bey was playing with a lot of heart yesterday.

Carson Palmer

After throwing a career high four interceptions in the team’s loss against the Green Bay Packers, Palmer didn’t throw any in the game against Detroit. He completed 32 of 40 pass attempts for 367 yards, and had a touchdown.

Shane Lechler

Arguably the best punter in the NFL, Shane Lechler, kicked another amazing punt on Sunday, coming through in the clutching and getting the ball all the way to the Detroit Lions’ 2-yard line. The veteran always gives his all in each and every game.

Aaron Curry

Aaron Curry recovered the football for the Raiders after Tommy Kelly stripped it from the Lions’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Curry took it into the endzone for a touchdown. It was probably my favorite play of the game.

Rolando McClain

Linebacker Rolando McClain was on yesterday. He led the team with nine tackles and sacked Stafford giving the Lions’ an eight yard loss.

The team has talent and certainly a lot of potential. This season has been much better than many of the last decade, and true Raider fans never give up.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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When it comes to naming the greatest Oakland Raiders of all time, wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff is always one of the top five. As a career Raider, he was part of the Raiders’ legendary teams of the 1970s. As a little kid I can remember watching him play, unfortunately many times beating the Philadelphia Eagles. His achievements, sportsmanship and loyalty to the team make him a great example of what it means to be an Oakland Raider. Here are some key facts about great Raider Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff:

Surface of an American football ball.
Wikimedia Commons

Stats

Fred Biletnikoff caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and scored 76 touchdowns.

Records

At the time of his retirement, he led the league with the record of catching 40 or more passes in 10 consecutive seasons. He also had 70 receptions, 1,167 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 10 post-season games for another NFL career-record. He was an All-AFL pick in 1969, the final year the league was separate from the NFL. He was an NFL All-Pro in 1972 and All-AFC in 1970, 1972 and 1973. He also played in two AFL All-Star games and four AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games, along with three AFL and five AFC championship games.

Loyalty

Biletnikoff played for the Silver and Black from draft through retirement, clocking in 14 years. To me, it shows the special organization that Raiders’ owner Al Davis created, treating players like a family. Biletnikoff started with Oakland as their number two draft pick in 1965 and retired a Raider in 1978.

1976 season

In what I think was his best season, Biletnikoff caught passes for 558 yards for an average of 12.8 yards each. He scored 7 touchdowns to help the team finish 16-1 and set them up to win their first Super Bowl championship

Super Bowl XI

As the MVP of Super Bowl XI, Biletnikoff helped the Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14. He also helped the team to an amazing 16-1 season in 1976, I think one of the Raiders’ greatest seasons ever.

Created his own destiny

Biletnikoff was drafted as a special teams player in 1965 and didn’t even play until the seventh game of the season. He started as a flanker and went on to catch seven passes for 118 yards in that first game, securing his position as a starting wide receiver.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

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The Oakland Raiders will be home again for the game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 18, after suffering two rather horrific losses on the road, against the Miami Dolphins and then the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Richard Seymour
Wikimedia Commons

With a black cloud hovering above the Silver and Black ever since they defeated the Chicago Bears, we hope the cloud has finally floated away, preferably headed northeast and landing directly in Denver over the Broncos stadium this weekend.

Here are five reasons to believe things have improved enough for the Raiders to capture a victory against the Lions.

Mike Mitchell and Stanford Routt

Safety Mike Mitchell and cornerback Stanford Routt have made outstanding efforts this season, and Mitchell said the Raiders’ defense has really spent a lot of time this week focusing on correcting their own mistakes and improving from the past weeks. In the game against the Bears, it was Routt who caught an interception from Caleb Hanie leading to one of Sebastian Janikowski’s six field goals.

In the game against the Green Bay Packers, it was Mitchell who intercepted one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Aaron Rogers. Look for Mitchell and Routt to continue their impressive performances.

Denarius Moore

Wide receiver Denarius Moore will be back on the field Sunday. Moore’s return could be the spark the team needs to win. In his last full game against the San Diego Chargers , he had a total of five catches, 123 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, he’s got 24 catches for 410 yards and four touchdowns.

Richard Seymour

Although the defensive tackle has struggled in his last five games, he experienced a knee injury in week five against the Texans, and he’s had to miss a lot of practice because of it. This week, he said he’s feeling much better and is ready to go against the Lions. We need Seymour at his best. Before his injury, in the first five weeks he had five sacks and 15 tackles.

Ndamukong Suh

After the dirty Detroit defensive tackle stepped on the arm of a Green Bay Packers’ offensive lineman, he was suspended for two games. He then went home to Oregon and got in a car accident in which one of his passengers was injured, and lied to the police about what happened. The incident is under investigation, but it doesn’t look good for Ndamukong Suh.

Suh is may be a tough player, but it’s obvious that he doesn’t have good decision making capabilities.

This Sunday, all the Raiders’ need to do is get into his head (there appears to be a lot of empty space in there), and cause him to make penalties. It could end up being key in a Raiders’ win.

Sold-out Coliseum

The Raiders/Lions game is sold out. This is the seventh consecutive sell out for Oakland, and a first for the team since returning home from L.A. in 1995. Jackson remarked, “T he fans bring a certain energy, and a special force to the team.”

With over 60,000 screaming fans packing O.co Coliseum and rooting the team on, it’s going to be a big positive after they’ve spent two tough games on the road.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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The Oakland Raiders’ punter, Shane Lechler, was selected by USA Football to its USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The team recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions. USA Football is the sport’s national governing body in the United States, and the youth football development partner of the 49ers, the NFL and each team in the league. The team honors 26 NFL players ,11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four special teams who exhibit exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

Shane Lechler
Creative Commons/Commons Wikimedia

Lechler has been in the headlines frequently this season for some of his amazing kicks, including his amazing 80-yard punt that went into the record books in the Raiders’ last win, against the Chicago Bears. The video of Lechler and his impressive kick is something I’ve watched more than a few times.

Lechler is a perfect example of what a punter should be, and his extraordinary punting mechanics and leg action make him a key contributor to successful games.

The Raiders’ punter has been exemplary this season. In addition to the record setting kick, in the opening game he tied the record punt of 77 yards against the Denver Broncos, a record previously held by Wayne Crow who set it five decades earlier.

Not only can the man kick, but in week six during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Lechler threw a 35-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown, leading to the defeat of the Browns, 24-17. He’s considered the team’s emergency quarterback, and has already proved that he can do the job when needed.

This season is not the only time that Lechler has come through. He’s been outstanding every year of his NFL career, and in the earlier part of the decade he set had at least one punt of 50 yards or more in 33 consecutive games from Week 13 of 2003 through Week 14 of 2005, the longest streak by any player since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970.

Fortunately for the Silver and Black, and fans throughout the Raider Nation, Lechler is appreciated and his four-year contract signed in February 2009 made him the highest paid punter in the NFL at $3 million a year.

Raiders senior executive John Herrera told The Associated Press, “This contract is the greatest ever given to a punter in the history of the National Football League.”

Well deserved, in my opinion. He’s one player that always comes through and the team couldn’t afford to lose him.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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There isn’t a nice way to twist the Oakland Raiders loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, December 11. They were defeated by a score of 46-16, and at the half, they were down by 31 points. The worst deficit at halftime in the history of the Silver and Black.

Michael Bush, Raiders.
Wikimedia Commons

We knew it would be tough, but to lie down and play dead in Lambeau Field is just not the way to go about it. Of course there were several horrendous calls, in addition to the moment the replay system decided to stop functioning, but even without those, there was no chance at a win for the Raiders with the way they played in Green Bay.

What happened to Oakland’s quarterback Carson Palmer? He said he’d hit his wall in Miami, that he loved Lambeau Field, and that he was ready to go. Palmer threw four interceptions, and with the weather rather balmy for Wisconsin, he couldn’t use that as an excuse.

Suddenly we’re looking like the team who was shut out by the Kansas City Chiefs 28-0, just after we lost Jason Campbell to a fractured collar bone. Admittedly, there are more than a few injured Raiders, but the healthy members of the team looked like they were just barely hanging on. Where was the fire? It appears that it went out somewhere on the way to Miami and it still hasn’t come back.

The rival Denver Broncos are now the sole owners of first place in the AFC West. They were losing to the Chicago Bears 10-0 until the final two minutes, but once again, Denver came back to tie and ultimately won in overtime, 13-10. Now we get to hear more about Tim Tebow. Joy.

If the Raiders continue to play the way they have these past two weeks, it won’t matter what the other teams do. I’m sorry to have to paint such a dismal picture, but there really isn’t any other way to look at it right now. Oakland will have to find a way to turn things completely around now, and get all of their players on the field and ready to win in the next three games. If not, it looks like we’re going to have to wait until 2012. I have still have hope, but it’s running pretty thin after today’s game.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

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Read More: Aaron Rodgers (QB – GBP), Michael Bush (RB – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR – OAK), Jacoby Ford (WR – OAK), Taiwan Jones (RB – OAK), Denarius Moore (WR – OAK), Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers

The Oakland Raiders offense is riddled with injuries. However, more important than the number of injuries, is the who. The Raiders will be without all of their big play options this week. Running backs Darren McFadden and Taiwan Jones as well as wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore are all expected to sit out the game against Green Bay this weekend.

While one of their fastest players is still healthy, Darrius Heyward-Bey has yet to prove he has the ability to be a down field threat. Rather, he has been developing into a solid possession receiver. That means the Raiders will be playing the Packers without one of the major reasons for their Renaissance this year, the quick score.

As a result, the Raiders will need to play a certain style of football in order to keep up with the Packers. Before the injuries, the Raiders would have been able to compete in a shoot out due to the massive number quick score weapons they possess. However, without these weapons, the Raiders only have one chance for success in Green Bay.

Michael Bush must run the ball. He must run a lot. And he must run well.

In a game like this where the Raiders will not be able to compete in a shoot out, they must be able to win the time of possession battle. The best way to keep Aaron Rodgers and the mighty Packers’ offense in check is to keep them off of the field.

Unlike McFadden, Bush is a big, tough back who is not known for game breaking plays. While he does occasionally break off big runs, they are far from being the norm. That means, if Bush can run well and pick up 4-5 yards per carry, the Raiders will be able to put together long drives and keep Rodgers on the bench.

If the Raiders pull off a win this weekend, it will be because they prevented Aaron Rodgers from winning the game single handedly. Keeping Rodgers on the bench means keeping the score low and enabling the Raiders strongest unit right now, special teams, to have a bigger impact on the game.

The Packers do not have the type of shut down run defense the Raiders have faced the past two weeks and they can be run on. The key will be for the Raiders coaching staff not to get impatient if they cannot run early in the game. Even if Aaron Rodgers is able to score quickly early in the game, the Raiders cannot abandon their run first strategy or they could be in for a day that is so long it will make the Dolphins game look like a quick stroll through the park.

The Oakland Raiders are getting ready to head to the frozen tundra of Green Bay and battle it out with the undefeated Packers. Although it sounds like an insurmountable task, Oakland still has a chance of becoming the team to break Green Bay’s 18-game winning streak. The weather at Lambeau Field this weekend is actually supposed to be 37 and mostly sunny, making for rather ideal football weather.

Oakland Raiders Sebastian Janikowski
Broken Sphere/Wikimedia Commons

For the Raiders, this could be the most important game of the season. With their loss against the Miami Dolphins last weekend, and the Denver Broncos fifth consecutive win under Tim Tebow, the AFC West is, once again, up for grabs. After Oakland’s win against the Chicago Bears, it seemed like they had a division win in the bag, but as it goes in the NFL, things did not happen as planned. Now, the game against the Packers has become an even more important victory for the team, and as everyone knows anything can happen on any given Sunday.

We heard some good news from head coach Hue Jackson on Thursday, in that cornerback Chris Johnson has already returned to the team after suffering a horrific tragedy in his family, with the murder of his sister Jennifer. Johnson is likely to want to focus on football in an effort to remove some of the pain he must be experiencing in relation to the event, and our thoughts and prayers are with this player in coping with such a difficult situation.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is just one of the reasons the Silver and Black could pull off a victory against the Packers. Palmer said that in Miami, he felt like he “hit his wall.” He remarked, “You go through training camp and you feel great and then you kind of hit a little bit of a wall and you just got to go through that wall. Once you get through that, your body kind of gets used to wear and tear and the movement, and the pounding, and all of that. Fortunately, I’ve got that out of the way, got through that last week, and feel great this week.”

This is the week we need Palmer at his best, so it was good timing with last Sunday the day that he hit that wall. Palmer commented earlier this week that Lambeau is his favorite place to play, and in the two games that he’s played against Packers, he is 2-0.

If the Raiders’ defense comes through on Sunday and they are able to keep penalties down as they showed they were capable of doing before facing Miami, the Silver and Black can be the first team to defeat Green Bay this year. Jackson needs to do whatever it takes to light a fire under these guys, and if that happens, Oakland fans everywhere will be ecstatic. Whatever it takes. Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

More from this contributor:

Halfway Through the Week Oakland Raiders’ Key Players Are Still Missing: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Kicker Sebastian Janikowski Named Special Teams Player of the Week: Fan Reaction

Passion Returns to Aaron Curry with Raiders as it Often Has in the past: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders’ Fan’s Look: Hue Jackson Proving the Naysayers Wrong

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.