Tough Test For Oakland Raiders Who Visits Green Bay Packers
Sunday, December 11, 2011
by Aengus Moorehead
Analysis:
The Oakland Raiders weren't up to the task in their most recent road test. An even greater challenge awaits this week.
The AFC West contenders try to shake off a lopsided loss when they travel to historic Lambeau Field for Sunday's pivotal matchup with the defending world champion Green Bay Packers, who enter this mid-December clash still unbeaten but having had to work hard to obtain their latest victory.
Green Bay ran its astounding winning streak to 18 games, which matches the second-longest run in NFL history, by outlasting the New York Giants this past Sunday at MetLife Stadium. It didn't come easy, however, with the deciding points in the 38-35 triumph coming on a 30-yard field goal from Mason Crosby as time expired.
The three-point margin was the closest the Packers have prevailed by over the course of their tremendous tear, which dates back to Week 15 of the 2010 campaign, and the Giants fought back from a 28-17 third-quarter deficit to tie the contest at 35-35 on an Eli Manning touchdown pass and subsequent two-point conversion with under a minute to go. That was still enough time for Aaron Rodgers, though, with the insanely-accurate Green Bay quarterback marching the offense 68 yards in just four plays to set up Crosby's kick.
The narrow result could give the Raiders a boost of confidence heading into Sunday's tilt, though they'll surely have to play better than they did a week ago. Oakland was soundly beaten in all phases during a 34-14 shellacking at the hands of the Miami Dolphins last week, halting a string of three straight wins for the Silver and Black and dropping the team into a first-place tie with upstart Denver in the AFC West.
The Raiders produced a mere 133 total yards in falling behind 34-0 after three quarters, while the defense was gashed for 209 rushing yards by the Dolphins for the game.
Oakland will have to bounce back quickly in a showdown with a prolific Green Bay squad that's averaging a league-best 35.0 points per game and possesses the leading candidate for this year's Most Valuable Player award in Rodgers, who tops all signal-callers with a 125.3 passer rating, a 70.6 completion percentage and 37 touchdown throws against just five interceptions.
Hue Jackson's club has posted a 4-2 record on the road this season and had won three straight away from home prior to their Week 13 setback in Miami.
The Packers were able to clinch their first NFC North title since 2007 with last Sunday's happenings and can secure a first-round bye in the playoffs as one of the conference's top two seeds by besting the Raiders or if New Orleans loses at Tennessee this weekend.
Oakland and Green Bay have split 10 all-time meetings in the regular season, but the Packers have defeated the Raiders five consecutive times and have outscored Sunday's opponent by a 79-14 margin over the past two bouts.
Green Bay trounced the Raiders by a 38-7 count at Lambeau Field back in 2007, four years after recording a 41-7 rout in Oakland during the 2003 season in a game best remembered for being held one day after the death of the father of then- Packers quarterback Brett Favre. The Raiders are 0-3 on the road in this set since coming through with a 20-0 shutout of Green Bay on Sept, 13, 1997.
Another notable encounter between the franchises occurred in Super Bowl II at Miami's Orange Bowl, with the Packers claiming a 33-14 win to capture the 1967 world championship.
Mike McCarthy's only previous game against the Raiders as a head coach came during Green Bay's above-mentioned 2007 victory, while Jackson will be taking on both the Packers and McCarthy for the first time as a head man.
Time & Venue:
- 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, December 11, 2011. Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Last Week's results:
- Oakland Raiders (-3) loses to host Miami Dolphins 34-14.
- Green Bay Packers (-7) beats host NY Giants 38-35.
Last week's ATS:
- Favourite Oakland Raiders (7-5) loses outright
- Favourite Green Bay Packers (12-0) wins but does not cover.
NFL Football Odds: Packers -13, O/U 50
Next up:
- Oakland home to Detroit Lions, Sunday, December 18
- Green Bay at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, December 18
The Raiders trailed 13-0 before they recorded a first down last week. As a result, Oakland’s fourth-ranked rushing attack (140.6 ypg) was a non-factor (14 carries, 46 yards). In fact, the Raiders running game also struggled the previous week (73 yards vs. Chicago). Prior to that, Michael Bush averaged nearly 121 yards in three contests while filling in for Darren McFadden (foot), who’s expected to miss a sixth straight game.
McFadden isn’t the only one hurting. Carson Palmer’s receiving corps has been decimated by injuries. Chaz Schilens (six catches, 89 yards vs. Miami) had been one of the only healthy receivers, but even he’s dealing with a foot injury. Oakland is 27th in in the league in scoring defense (25.7 ppg), but it has the ability to pressure Rodgers (33 sacks, seventh in the league).
Green Bay joined the 1998 Denver Broncos as the only defending Super Bowl champions to start 12-0 by surviving its closest call to date. That's because Rodgers’ brilliance continues to mask the Packers’ defensive deficiencies (31st, 397.8 ypg). After the Giants tied it with 58 seconds left, Rodgers needed just five plays to set Mason Crosby up for a 31-yard game-winning field goal. Rodgers was 28 of 46 for 369 yards and four touchdowns and has now thrown at least two scores in 12 straight games, one shy of tying the NFL record shared by Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Green Bay leads the league with 23 interceptions and should have former Raider Charles Woodson available. Woodson (concussion) practiced Wednesday and is expected to face the team with which he spent the first eight years of his career.
For the Raiders, it's all about running the football. Oakland is at its toughest when its backs are churning out the yards at a prodigious clip, as it's 5-2 when hitting 150 rushing yards in game and unbeaten in four contests in which the offense has gained over 162 yards on the ground. Controlling time of possession may also be the team's best chance of slowing down Rodgers and his army of playmakers, but a repeat of last week's meager output likely won't cut it in this one.
Though the Packers have been able to get away with playing lackluster defense because of Rodgers' remarkable precision, tightening up that side of the ball would help prevent close calls such as last week's. Finding a reliable pass rusher to team alongside Clay Matthews in time for the playoffs would make for a nice addition as well.
If Oakland's going to win this game, it'll probably have to be in a shootout, and that means Palmer's going to have to be in top form to match what Rodgers will bring to the table. The veteran gunslinger has been kind of up-and-down since coming over from Cincinnati in a trade and faces the league's best secondary in terms of creating turnovers, and the Raiders can't afford to be careless against a foe that can score at will.
The Packers' winning streak is tied for the second longest in NFL history. The 2003-04 New England Patriots hold the record with 21 straight wins.
Raiders CB Chris Johnson left the team Wednesday to be with his family after his sister was shot and killed during a domestic dispute. He is expected to play on Sunday.
Green Bay will clinch a first-round bye with a win or a New Orleans loss.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Green Bay's last 5 games when playing Oakland
Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Green Bay's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games on the road
Oakland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Oakland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Green Bay
The Packers have been getting opponents' best shots all throughout their stellar season, and this week will be no different with the Raiders engaged in a heated race in their division. With a ground game that can be extremely potent and a defense that's better against the pass than the run, Oakland doesn't seem to match up badly here and should pose a threat to Green Bay's unbeaten streak if it can play to its strengths.
That still may not be enough, however, as no team has yet to successfully stop Rodgers and the Packers' high- powered offense from lighting up the scoreboard. Expect Green Bay to have another hard battle on its hands, but ultimately come out on top once more.Bet on NFL Football games with Bodog Sportsbook, click here!
NFL Football Pick: Take points and Raiders.
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Tags
aaron rodgers - afc west - carson palmer - charles woodson - chaz schilen - chris johnson - clay matthews - darren mcfadden - detroit lions - eli manning
