NFL 2010 Week 14 match up preview: Oakland Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Oakland Raiders (6-6) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) will both be gunning for division titles at EverBank Field, when they meet in a key American Football Conference (AFC) match up, on 12th December.
Both sides are in unfamiliar territory. The Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) haven’t been in first place alone, this late in the season since 1999, holding a one-game lead over perennial AFC South kings( Indianapolis Colts). They are now the hunted, despite being
in last place, just five weeks ago. The Oakland Raiders (6-6) have lost at least 11 games for the past seven years but have hope in the AFC West, just two games behind the Kansas City Chiefs. Runner back ,Maurice Jones-Drew has rumbled for five consecutive
100-yard rushing performances – the NFL’s longest active streak – as Jaguars have averaged 184.8 yards on the ground ,in that span.
“I like our physical approach,” Coach Del Rio said. “… The team that controls the line of scrimmage wins the game a large percentage of the time.”
Miami Dolphins out rushed Raiders 186-16 in a 33-17 victory in Week 12 but the Raiders outgunned the San Diego Chargers 251-21, on the ground in a 28-13 victory, last Sunday. This improved them to 4-0 within the AFC West.
“If we just keep running the ball and doing what we do, then I think that’s the Raiders,” running back Michael Bush said. “We come out, pound you, pound you, pound you, throw the ball, then I think we’ll get a lot accomplished.”
The Oakland got an efficient performance from their quarterback Jason Campbell, as he threw for 117 yards with a touchdown and ran for 37 yards ,with a score on the ground. Raiders’ ground game posed big problems for the San Diego Chargers defensively, with
runner backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, each rushing for at least 95 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars lost twice at home, earlier this season, totaling only three points in losses to Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. However, Jaguars became
a much more competitive team just prior to the second half of the season, starting with a 35-17 road win at Dallas.
The last time the Raiders came to Jacksonville three years ago, they were routed 49-11, Oakland’s worst regular-season loss since 1961. These teams are too evenly matched and have too much to play for, to think it can happen again. The Jaguars have scored
on their last five opening possessions, reversing an early-season trend of getting off to slow starts. Oakland QB Jason Campbell isn’t that accurate (55.3 completion percentage) but he’s got to take some shots downfield, against a suspect Jaguars’ secondary,
with Jacoby Ford or Louis Murphy. The Raiders are much better at getting after the quarterback but the Jaguars have a more balanced offensive attack. That will be the difference.
The Jaguars and Raiders have the number two and three rushing attacks, respectively, in the NFL. Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew is the league’s hottest runner-back, with five consecutive 100-yard games. The Raiders have a dynamic combination in Darren
McFadden and Michael Bush, with a combined 1,323 yards and 10 touchdowns. The best running team will likely win.