Post by TheShadow on Oct 21, 2012 13:53:27 GMT -5
www.sfgate.com
by Vic Tafur
It's a cliche, something athletes say to make sure everyone knows they're focused and ready, and it's often a ridiculous statement, given the number of games remaining.
But sometimes there really are "must-win" games.
Like the 1-4 Raiders' tilt against the 1-4 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at O.co Coliseum. Both teams are in bad need of a win - "Michael Jackson bad," Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour said.
With a win, the Raiders would be only a game out of first place in the AFC West.
"It's a must win for us," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "It is an AFC game and an opportunity to start climbing our way back into the race."
The Raiders actually have some momentum coming off a 23-20 loss to the undefeated Falcons in Atlanta. Oakland had season highs of 474 total yards and 149 yards rushing, and the defense grabbed its first three interceptions of the season.
And Jacksonville is struggling on offense with second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
The Jaguars are last in the league in total offense (241.2 yards per game), passing (142.8 ypg) and scoring (13.0 points per game). Gabbert has completed just eight passes that have gone at least 20 yards, and his wide receivers have dropped 12.8 percent of catchable passes, the worst rate in the league.
The defense hasn't been a lot better. Jacksonville is allowing 27.6 points per game - 25th in the league - and has an NFL-low three sacks.
"It's been the same thing for five years," said running back Maurice Jones-Drew, from Antioch and De La Salle High-Concord. "Obviously, we're not working hard enough. I don't know."
Jones-Drew ran for 101 yards and a touchdown the last time these teams met, on Dec. 12, 2010, when Jacksonville's 38-31 home win was the Jaguars' fourth straight victory in the series.
His counterpart, Darren McFadden, was electrifying that day, with 209 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. But so far this year, there has been a spark missing from the running game, as McFadden is averaging a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry with the new zone blocking scheme.
He had 70 yards on 27 carries for the Raiders last week but did look close to breaking a couple of runs and had 41 yards called back on penalties. On an early 16-yarder that was called back because of a hold on Marcel Reece, McFadden steamrolled Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud.
It's that combination of speed and power that makes McFadden special, and possibly on the verge of a breakthrough against the Jaguars.
Jones-Drew studies video of running backs in the offseason and said the combination of size and speed separates McFadden and Adrian Peterson from everyone else.
McFadden "is a mismatch with linebackers," Jones-Drew said. "One cut and he's gone. He's the prototypical-style running back everyone is looking for."
While offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is still married to the zone blocking run scheme, he is looking to help McFadden get going while the offense continues to jell in the new system.
"We did some more one-back power and we emphasized, instead of wide zone ... some tight zone as change-ups," Knapp said of the ground game against Atlanta. "But it was still a pretty good mix in (32) rushes. It was a pretty good mix of both.
"Keep in mind too, this (was) really the first game we've really had a chance to keep the run game going throughout the four quarters, so it gave us a lot more opportunities to use the whole run-game package. That helped keep the defense honest."
Knapp has been widely criticized for the slow start of the running game this season, and he has preached patience. He and coach Dennis Allen feel the zone blocking scheme is the best in football and is worth the growing pains.
"What you saw (last week) is we did a better job of having consistent runs with less negative runs," Knapp said. "It was good to see ... not only Darren but Goody (Mike Goodson) share the wealth a little in the run game.
"I was pleased with (center Stefen) Wisniewski's performance and certainly, with him and (right tackle) Willie (Smith) getting more reps in our offense, you're hoping to get that kind of continuity and that progression and success."
Two things the Raiders need Sunday.
Jaguars (1-4) at Raiders (1-4)
1:25 p.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46 / 105.3 FM
Spotlight on: Quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer is 5-10 since the Raiders traded for him in the middle of last season. That record is not his fault, as Oakland has had injuries at receiver, a coaching turnover and a generous defense, but it's time to start winning. Palmer has a clear-cut edge over Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert and will need to lead the way against a Jaguars defense that will be focused on stopping running back Darren McFadden. The season hangs in the balance.
Injury notes: Raiders - T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) and TE Richard Gordon (hamstring) are out; RB Taiwan Jones (knee) and C Alex Parsons (shoulder, back) are questionable. Jaguars - S Dwight Lowery (ankle), WR Laurent Robinson (concussion) and LB Daryl Smith (groin) are out. Smith, Jacksonville's best defensive player, returned to practice Monday and Wednesday but was shut down Thursday and Friday.
Big 3
-- The Jaguars have the second-worst pass-protection offensive line in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. It has allowed a combined 69 total pressures on only 170 drop-backs.
-- Maurice Jones-Drew's 4.9 yards per carry is the second-best average of his career, but the Raiders' run defense did limit the Falcons to 45 yards on 15 carries last week.
-- Jacksonville has been outscored 99-16 in its past three trips to the West Coast.
- Vic Tafur
Sunday on tv
Cardinals at Vikings, 10 a.m. Channel: 2 Channel: 40
Browns at Colts, 10 a.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46
Jaguars at Raiders, 1:25 p.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46
Steelers at Bengals, 5:15 p.m. Channel: 11 Channel: 3 Channel: 8
by Vic Tafur
It's a cliche, something athletes say to make sure everyone knows they're focused and ready, and it's often a ridiculous statement, given the number of games remaining.
But sometimes there really are "must-win" games.
Like the 1-4 Raiders' tilt against the 1-4 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at O.co Coliseum. Both teams are in bad need of a win - "Michael Jackson bad," Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour said.
With a win, the Raiders would be only a game out of first place in the AFC West.
"It's a must win for us," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "It is an AFC game and an opportunity to start climbing our way back into the race."
The Raiders actually have some momentum coming off a 23-20 loss to the undefeated Falcons in Atlanta. Oakland had season highs of 474 total yards and 149 yards rushing, and the defense grabbed its first three interceptions of the season.
And Jacksonville is struggling on offense with second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
The Jaguars are last in the league in total offense (241.2 yards per game), passing (142.8 ypg) and scoring (13.0 points per game). Gabbert has completed just eight passes that have gone at least 20 yards, and his wide receivers have dropped 12.8 percent of catchable passes, the worst rate in the league.
The defense hasn't been a lot better. Jacksonville is allowing 27.6 points per game - 25th in the league - and has an NFL-low three sacks.
"It's been the same thing for five years," said running back Maurice Jones-Drew, from Antioch and De La Salle High-Concord. "Obviously, we're not working hard enough. I don't know."
Jones-Drew ran for 101 yards and a touchdown the last time these teams met, on Dec. 12, 2010, when Jacksonville's 38-31 home win was the Jaguars' fourth straight victory in the series.
His counterpart, Darren McFadden, was electrifying that day, with 209 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. But so far this year, there has been a spark missing from the running game, as McFadden is averaging a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry with the new zone blocking scheme.
He had 70 yards on 27 carries for the Raiders last week but did look close to breaking a couple of runs and had 41 yards called back on penalties. On an early 16-yarder that was called back because of a hold on Marcel Reece, McFadden steamrolled Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud.
It's that combination of speed and power that makes McFadden special, and possibly on the verge of a breakthrough against the Jaguars.
Jones-Drew studies video of running backs in the offseason and said the combination of size and speed separates McFadden and Adrian Peterson from everyone else.
McFadden "is a mismatch with linebackers," Jones-Drew said. "One cut and he's gone. He's the prototypical-style running back everyone is looking for."
While offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is still married to the zone blocking run scheme, he is looking to help McFadden get going while the offense continues to jell in the new system.
"We did some more one-back power and we emphasized, instead of wide zone ... some tight zone as change-ups," Knapp said of the ground game against Atlanta. "But it was still a pretty good mix in (32) rushes. It was a pretty good mix of both.
"Keep in mind too, this (was) really the first game we've really had a chance to keep the run game going throughout the four quarters, so it gave us a lot more opportunities to use the whole run-game package. That helped keep the defense honest."
Knapp has been widely criticized for the slow start of the running game this season, and he has preached patience. He and coach Dennis Allen feel the zone blocking scheme is the best in football and is worth the growing pains.
"What you saw (last week) is we did a better job of having consistent runs with less negative runs," Knapp said. "It was good to see ... not only Darren but Goody (Mike Goodson) share the wealth a little in the run game.
"I was pleased with (center Stefen) Wisniewski's performance and certainly, with him and (right tackle) Willie (Smith) getting more reps in our offense, you're hoping to get that kind of continuity and that progression and success."
Two things the Raiders need Sunday.
Jaguars (1-4) at Raiders (1-4)
1:25 p.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46 / 105.3 FM
Spotlight on: Quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer is 5-10 since the Raiders traded for him in the middle of last season. That record is not his fault, as Oakland has had injuries at receiver, a coaching turnover and a generous defense, but it's time to start winning. Palmer has a clear-cut edge over Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert and will need to lead the way against a Jaguars defense that will be focused on stopping running back Darren McFadden. The season hangs in the balance.
Injury notes: Raiders - T Khalif Barnes (groin), CB Shawntae Spencer (foot) and TE Richard Gordon (hamstring) are out; RB Taiwan Jones (knee) and C Alex Parsons (shoulder, back) are questionable. Jaguars - S Dwight Lowery (ankle), WR Laurent Robinson (concussion) and LB Daryl Smith (groin) are out. Smith, Jacksonville's best defensive player, returned to practice Monday and Wednesday but was shut down Thursday and Friday.
Big 3
-- The Jaguars have the second-worst pass-protection offensive line in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. It has allowed a combined 69 total pressures on only 170 drop-backs.
-- Maurice Jones-Drew's 4.9 yards per carry is the second-best average of his career, but the Raiders' run defense did limit the Falcons to 45 yards on 15 carries last week.
-- Jacksonville has been outscored 99-16 in its past three trips to the West Coast.
- Vic Tafur
Sunday on tv
Cardinals at Vikings, 10 a.m. Channel: 2 Channel: 40
Browns at Colts, 10 a.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46
Jaguars at Raiders, 1:25 p.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46
Steelers at Bengals, 5:15 p.m. Channel: 11 Channel: 3 Channel: 8