Season Opener - Raiders at Patriots
Thursday, 9 p.m. (ABC)
KEY MATCHUPS
When Oakland has the ball
LaMont Jordan (OAK-RB) vs. New England front seven: The Patriots had to rebuild their middle linebacking corps after Ted Johnson retired and Tedy Bruschi was forced to sit out the season after suffering a stroke. Will Jordan, who is entering his first season as a starter, and the Raiders offensive line be able to take advantage? Expect the Raiders to run early to set up the deep passing game.
Randy Moss (OAK-WR) vs. New England’s DBs: The Patriots weren’t willing to fork over enough money to keep long-time shutdown corner Ty Law (NYJ-CB), so they’ll go with some combination of Asante Samuel, Randall Gay, Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks playing corner. One of them (Samuel?) will face the task of shutting down Moss in his first game as a Raider. Expect Kerry Collins (OAK-QB) to throw in Moss’ direction early and often.
When New England has the ball
New England’s entire offense vs. Oakland’s entire defense: I know it's kind of a cop-out to just list the whole team, but the big question is: How will the Patriots fare in their first regular season game without former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis? With Weis now roaming the sidelines at Notre Dame, will the offense still flow? The starters looked good in limited preseason action, but will it continue? Expect Tom Brady (NE-QB), Corey Dillon (NE-RB) and company to be firing on all cylinders by the second half.
KEY MATCHUPS
When Oakland has the ball
LaMont Jordan (OAK-RB) vs. New England front seven: The Patriots had to rebuild their middle linebacking corps after Ted Johnson retired and Tedy Bruschi was forced to sit out the season after suffering a stroke. Will Jordan, who is entering his first season as a starter, and the Raiders offensive line be able to take advantage? Expect the Raiders to run early to set up the deep passing game.
Randy Moss (OAK-WR) vs. New England’s DBs: The Patriots weren’t willing to fork over enough money to keep long-time shutdown corner Ty Law (NYJ-CB), so they’ll go with some combination of Asante Samuel, Randall Gay, Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks playing corner. One of them (Samuel?) will face the task of shutting down Moss in his first game as a Raider. Expect Kerry Collins (OAK-QB) to throw in Moss’ direction early and often.
When New England has the ball
New England’s entire offense vs. Oakland’s entire defense: I know it's kind of a cop-out to just list the whole team, but the big question is: How will the Patriots fare in their first regular season game without former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis? With Weis now roaming the sidelines at Notre Dame, will the offense still flow? The starters looked good in limited preseason action, but will it continue? Expect Tom Brady (NE-QB), Corey Dillon (NE-RB) and company to be firing on all cylinders by the second half.
2 Comments:
What's Jerry Porter's status? Would you start him this week if you had him?
I have both Titans RBs, which one is a better start this week?
Chris, Granby
By Anonymous, at 5:38 PM
Sorry to just get back to you a few hours before the game on Porter, but the most recent report has Porter as questionable. I'd start him.
As for the Titans RBs, go with Chris Brown until Travis Henry takes the job away. At the very least, Brown should get the goal line carries.
Thanks for the questions.
By Jim Pignatiello, at 6:44 PM
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