Texans @ Oakland

Hi everyone. Today, I get to be the only person in the United States that is going to watch the Raiders game. They play at 4, which is the same time as the Patriots vs the Colts. Oh well. It'll be my service to humanity. The Raiders really should win this week. They're back home, and Texans' starting QB, Matt Schaub is out with an injury.

Defensively, the Raiders catch a break today. Sage Rosenfels will start for Houston, and that bodes well for Oakland. On top of that, the Texans will be without their best offensive weapon, Andre Johnson. Johnson, one of the league's most underrated players, has been out with an ankle injury since week 2. Oakland doesn't have to worry as much about the ground game this week either. After facing an all-pro list of running backs over the last four weeks, the Raiders go up against a makeshift lineup of backs. Former Raider, Joe Echemandu makes his return to the coloseum and may start. The team may also use Ron Dayne and a banged up Ahman Green. It'll be interesting to see how Jay Richardson performs today as he takes on the full-time role of starter in Tommie Kelly's absence. Richardson started at the other end position while Burgess was out earlier in the season.

Lane Kiffin has made the move back to Josh McCown on the offensive side of the ball. I don't have a problem with that. In fact, I don't know if I could have taken another week of watching Culpepper drop the ball seventeen times. I'm going to have my eye on Johnnie Lee Higgins, who should get most of the work in slot due to the release of Mike Williams. It will also be interesting to see how Kiffin divides the carries amongst his running backs. As far as everyone knows, LaMont Jordan should get most of the carries, but if you've read my blog recently, you should'nt be surprised when he doesn't. The Raiders should have an easier time executing their game plan this week although the Texans have a decent defense with a solid core of young players. DE Mario Williams, DT Amobi Okoye, and MLB DeMeco Ryans are three of the games brightest young stars. Barry Sims will have his hands full with Williams.

The last couple of weeks, I've predicted the Raiders to win low scoring games. Instead, they've lost low scoring games. This week, I'm going with the Raiders to win by the score of 24-10. Enjoy the Pats and Colts.