In Which We Speak of NFL and other type things.

[Buster's Uncle]

He was behind glass.

[Unorthodox]

Well, after seeing the final roster, I'd rate the Raiders as dicey at best. 

Injuries along the offensive line don't bode well for the running game, which in turn don't bode well for Derek Carr.  (the backups are actually decent pass blockers, so not so worried about protection as I am turning one dimensional)  Derek hasn't played well all preseason, but he was much more a second half get it going type last year anyway, so not sure how concerned to be there. 

Behind Murray, there doesn't appear to be much of a run game at all. 

Defensively, the front 7 look decent.  Backing down from "Good" with some curious final cuts.  The CB's look suspect, and the Safeties have no depth if a starter goes down. 

I can see what they're building, but they're lacking some key pieces.  I'm guessing 6-10ish record, be thrilled with an 8-8, but they could surprise a bunch if Derek suddenly clicks and gets confidence in his receivers instead of consistently throwing to the check down. 

Well, coming up on the Packers game this week, the Raiders are about where I predicted, sitting at 6-7 presently (though winning this week took a bit of luck). 

The Oline is still down men, and the run game sputters at it's best.  Carr can get hot, but makes a lot of young QB mistakes. 

Defensively, the front 7 continue to play solid, and the pass defense revolves solely around them getting pressure.  Some of the young CB's have stepped up, and Woodson is somehow playing ball hawk at a high level, still.   


Packers have struggled offensively lately, but looked like they figured some of that out this week. 

[Rusty Edge]

The local sportscasters are crediting head coach Mike McCarthy for resuming play calling duties, which were assigned to the O-coordinator. A lot of fans think it was McCarthy's uninspired play-calling that lost the play-off game with Seattle.

Aaron Rogers says it's all a matter of execution.

Whatever is going on, the fans will tell you that they'd rather be playing well at the end of the season and going into the play-offs than going undefeated all season and have nothing left for the play-offs.