SB Nation Bay Area - Raiders Vs. Broncos: Tim Tebow, Willis McGahee, Denver Stun Oakland 38-24https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-11-07T11:00:05-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22923242011-11-07T11:00:05-08:002011-11-07T11:00:05-08:002011 NFL Week 9 AFC West Review: Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs All Falter
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<p>A short review of how each AFC West team performed in Week 9. For more on the Raiders, please visit <a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Silver and Black Pride.</a></p> <p>It was a painful and regrettable week for all three teams locked in a tie for first place atop the AFC West. Any of the teams could have taken a commanding lead with a victory, but all three teams were defeated. Let's take a look at each individual game.<br><br><b><a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dolphins</a> (31) @ <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> (3)</b>: If you look at the box score, this game looks pretty even. The Chiefs led in rushing yards 116 to 107, and the Dolphins led in passing yardage 244 to 227. Both teams punted five times, and the Chiefs had eight penalties while the Dolphins had seven. Neither team committed a turnover. The biggest difference in the game is that Miami sacked <span>Matt Cassel</span> five times, and the Chiefs were never able to sack Matt Moore at all. Moore completed 73.9% of his passes for three touchdowns, two of those to tight end <span>Anthony Fasano</span>. <span>Reggie Bush</span> also had a big day, gaining 142 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown.</p>
<p>This was a game the Chiefs were supposed to win against one of the worst teams in football, so what happened? The Chiefs had come off two impressive divisional victories, and they completely fell flat on offense and defense. They could not cover <span>Brandon Marshall</span> and they could not get to the quarterback, something that has been a strength for them this year. <span>Jackie Battle</span> only rushed for 2.9 yards per carry, and Cassel only completed 51% of his passes. This looks in hindsight like a classic trap game, and the Chiefs fell right in.<br><br><b><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> (38) @ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> (24)</b>: With the Chiefs having lost and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a> facing a tough test vs. Green Bay, the Raiders had a clear opportunity to establish themselves as the leader in the division. For the first half of the game, it appeared they would do just that. The defense was containing <span>Tim Tebow</span> and <span>Willis McGahee</span>, and the offense led by <span>Carson Palmer</span> was getting into gear and stretching out the Bronco defense.</p>
<p>However, in the second half things completely turned around. Tebow began to play like a madman and Willis McGahee would refuse to be tackled. The defense didn't really make any adjustments and were frequently caught out of position and with broken coverages, allowing Tebow to hit wide-open receivers. Perhaps the Raiders were not certain Tebow could hit wide-open receivers when presented with the opportunity, but now they know he can and he will. Tebow also used the success of the running game to use misdirection and rush for 118 yards of his own. This is the Broncos offense we should become accustomed to seeing. If the rushing game works, then Tebow can use his spread-option skills to get yards on his own and that will open up their passing game.</p>
<p>The Raiders, on the other hand, seemed unable to cope with Tebow or McGahee, who broke two long touchdown runs. Denver scored four touchdowns in the second half, and this looked for all the world like the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> game, wherein the Raiders played lights out in the first half and were totally lost in the second. The Bills and Broncos both run elements of the spread offense, and it gives cause to wonder why the Raiders have no trouble with it in one half and totally fall apart in another.</p>
<p>On the good side for the Raiders, Carson Palmer made some spectacular throws fitting the ball into tight windows and threw for over 330 yards with three touchdown passes. He needs to cut down on his interceptions but the field was very slick due to rainfall the day before the game and his receivers were often falling down during their routes. I believe Palmer will be an excellent quarterback for the Raiders given time to fully mesh with his talented receiving corps. <br><br><b><a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a> (45) @ Chargers (38</b>): <span>Philip Rivers</span> giveth, and Philip Rivers taketh away. Rivers threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> did not have any such trouble, throwing an easy 247 yards with an 80% completion percentage and four touchdowns with no interceptions. This game did turn into the shootout we all thought it would be, but Rivers' two first-quarter pick sixes were too much for the Chargers to overcome.</p>
<p>With Malcolm Floyd out due to injury, Rivers keyed in on <span>Vincent Jackson</span>, tossing three touchdown passes his way. Rodgers wes not forced to focus on anyone, and each of his four touchdown passes went to a different receiver. There's not much else to say about this game; Rivers continued his erratic play, and the Packers proved why they are the best team in football.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/7/2544709/2011-nfl-scores-week-9-afc-west-chargers-raiders-chiefsTyler Smith2011-11-07T08:03:36-08:002011-11-07T08:03:36-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos Bright Spot: Carson Palmer Could be Big for Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a>' loss to the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> was nothing short of humiliating. The Broncos had looked terrible with <span>Tim Tebow</span> under center, and no one could fathom the idea of Tebow leading the Broncos out of a paper bag, let alone to a win on the road against a division rival that is clearly better than they are. And then the Raiders laid one of the biggest eggs in the NFL this season. However, as terrible as the loss to the Broncos was, there were some positives to take away from the game.</p>
<p>The most obvious positive was the run game as <span>Michael Bush</span> impressed once again in place of the injured <span>Darren McFadden</span>. One of the other big bright spots was not necessarily what happened in the game, but rather, the potential that was shown in the game. One of the reasons Hue Jackson and others were so excited about the trade for <span>Carson Palmer</span> was because he could help the Raiders young and dynamic receiving corps reach their potential.</p>
<p>On Sunday, you could already see that potential beginning to come true. Palmer targetted <span>Jacoby Ford</span> and <span>Denarius Moore</span> a significant number of times and made sure that both of these guys were involved in the game. Moore received the most attention with 12 targets, while Ford received the second most with 6 targets. Moore was able to convert his targets into 4 catches for 61 yards, while Ford had an impressive day turning his 6 targets into 5 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>Both of these guys are serious threats with the ball in their hands. Unfortunately for the Raiders up to this point, they have not had the ball in their hands nearly enough this season. Palmer looks as though he is ready to change that. The more the Raiders can get the ball into the hands of these two young recievers, the quicker they will deveop and become the game changers the Raiders know they can. Hopefully Palmer will continue to give both of these guys a healthy dose of the football in future weeks so the Raiders passing game can reach its full potential.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/7/2544278/raiders-vs-broncos-carson-palmer-denarius-moore-jacoby-ford-tim-tebowJames Arcellana2011-11-07T07:43:41-08:002011-11-07T07:43:41-08:00Raiders vs. Broncos: Oakland's Run Defense Never Returns from Bye Week
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> talk during the bye week focussed almost entirely on the offensive side of the ball. All anyone wanted to discuss was whether <span>Carson Palmer</span> would be ready to play and on whether it was a wise decision for Hue Jackson to go out and sign TJ Houshmandzadeh. Forgotten by the media and the Raider Nation was the defense that has struggled to find consistency this season. Unfortunately for the Raiders, it appears that the defensive struggles were not the only thing forgotten over the bye week, apparantly, the defense forgot that that it is their job to stop the run.</p>
<p>For weeks now, one of the most popular talk subjects in the NFL has been how bad Tim Tebow is. I almost felt bad for Tebow as his name was dragged through the mud. No need to feel bad, the Raiders defense is here to save the day. Tebow became just the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 200 yards and run for over 100 yards in a single game. Two of <span>Tim Tebow's</span> naked book legs led to massive gains for the Broncos and played a major role in their upset victory against the Raiders. Maybe the Raiders defense did not forget about the concept of covering the back side of a play, maybe they just felt worse for Tebow than I did.</p>
<p>Tebow was not the only Denver player to run all over the Raiders on Sunday. NFL heavy weight and clearly one of the best running backs in the game today, <span>Willis McGahee</span> also had a big day for the Broncos. I know, I know, McGahee is not anywhere near being an NFL heavy weight or one of the best running backs in the league, but the Raiders sure made him look like it. McGahee put up 163 yards and two touchdowns. His average of 8.2 yards per carry was double his career average coming into the game.</p>
<p>All total, the Raiders gave up 299 yards on the ground to the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> on Sunday. There is simply no way the Raiders are going to win games when they allow teams to dominate the game on the ground. This type of performance is nothing short of embarassing for the Raiders.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/7/2544231/raiders-vs-broncos-oakland-tim-tebow-willis-mcgaheeJames Arcellana2011-11-07T06:01:37-08:002011-11-07T06:01:37-08:00Raiders Vs. Broncos: Coach Hue Jackson Unhappy About 'Uncalled For' Penalties
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> suffered a surprising 38-24 loss to the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> on Sunday. The Raiders seemed to be getting called on penalties every time they turned around. At the end of the game, they'd been called for penalties 15 times and racked up 130 penalty yards. That's a tough sum to overcome, especially combined with <span>Carson Palmer's</span> three interceptions -- the only three turnovers of the entire game. Giving the ball away and giving up over a hundred yards to the opposing team on penalties is a terrible combination.</p>
<p>After the game, Raiders head coach Hue Jackson was vocal in his disappointment regarding the penalties. According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_19279587">Jerry McDonald of the Mercury News</a>, Jackson acknowledged that his team isn't playing terribly intelligently at the moment. He said that some of the penalties in Sunday's game were "uncalled for" and stressed that it's an issue he's well aware of.</p>
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<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline ! important; float: none;">"We're going to continue to address it. I don't want anyone to think we haven't. We emphasize it, and we're not going to stop. It might be Game 16 when we get it fixed, I don't know."</span></p>
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<p>It's only halfway through the season, but the Raiders are already leading the NFL in both penalties and penalty yards. You can bet that the Oakland front office is hoping Jackson will fix the problem well before Game 16.</p>
<p>If you want to discuss the Raiders, you can always connect with your fellow fans at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Silver and Black Pride</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/7/2543773/raiders-vs-broncos-coach-hue-jackson-unhappy-about-uncalled-forBill Hanstock2011-11-07T05:01:30-08:002011-11-07T05:01:30-08:00Raiders Vs. Broncos Recap By The Numbers: Carson Palmer And Michael Bush Unable To Prevent Raiders Loss
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<p>There is no joy in Mudville following Sunday's game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>. The Raiders were handed a stunning 38-24 defeat by <span>Tim Tebow's</span> team. Twice in the game the Raiders held a ten-point lead, but ended up dropping a game to a team they were largely favored against. Let's take a closer look at some key numbers and see if we can find any clues as to what went wrong.</p>
<p>New quarterback <span>Carson Palmer</span> had a fairly decent game, all things considered. He was 19-for-35 with 332 passing yards and three touchdowns. He had well over twice as many passing yards as did Tebow and nearly twice as many complete passes. The big difference between the two passers was the whopping three interceptions thrown by Palmer. Tebow, perhaps in a shock to his critics, did not throw a single pick. To Palmer's credit, none of the interceptions was a pick-six. Palmer's interceptions were the only turnovers in the game, which did not bode well for Oakland.</p>
<p>Denver also picked up the only defensive or special teams touchdown of the game on an 85 yard punt return by <span>Eddie Royal</span> that gave the Broncos the lead with just 5:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. They never looked back.</p>
<p>The Raiders gave it their best shot during their time with the ball but things never completely came together. <span>Michael Bush</span> had 19 carries for 96 rushing yards. Bush also contributed on the receiving side, with two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. <span>Jacoby Ford</span> had the biggest game for Oakland receivers, nabbing five catches for 105 yards with a long of 34 and a touchdown.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/7/2543653/raiders-vs-broncos-stats-carson-palmer-jacoby-ford-interceptions-tim-tebow-michael-bushBill Hanstock2011-11-06T17:09:03-08:002011-11-06T17:09:03-08:00Raiders Vs. Broncos Final Score: Tim Tebow, Willis McGahee, Eddie Royal Lead Denver To 38-24 Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> exploded in the second half to<a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/6/2542974/tim-tebow-willis-mcgahee-oakland-raiders-vs-denver-broncos-score/in/2292324"> tie things up in the third quarter</a>, then blew things open in the fourth quarter with a big special teams play. <span>Eddie Royal</span> fielded a punt from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>, and then blew it open when he blew past Oakland's coverage team for the go-ahead score.</p>
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<p>This was the go-ahead score, but the bigger issue was the Denver rushing attack, which gashed the Oakland defense for 299 rushing yards on 38 carries for over seven yards a carry. <span>Willis McGahee</span> compiled 163 yards on 20 carries, and his two touchdowns of 60 and 24 yards helped tie and clinch the game respectively for the Broncos. <span>Tim Tebow</span> was his partner in crime, rushing for 118 yards on 12 carries and threw two touchdowns among his 10 completions while not turning the ball over once.</p>
<p><span>Carson Palmer</span> looked okay for most of the first half, but other than his lone scoring drive, he was inconsistent most of the second half and threw a killer interception that set up the tying Denver score. Palmer was probably saddled by the absence of <span>Darren McFadden</span>, as the Raiders run attack was stifled for only 100 yards and went to a pass-heavy attack to prevent themselves from overworking <span>Michael Bush</span>. Palmer threw for 332 yards, but completed only 54% of his passes and threw three interceptions along with three touchdowns.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the result with Raiders fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com">hit up Silver and Black Pride</a>. To discuss the game with Broncos fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">hit up Mile High Report</a>. </b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/6/2543045/tim-tebow-willis-mcgahee-eddie-royal-raiders-vs-broncos-score-resultsAvinash Kunnath2011-11-06T16:13:37-08:002011-11-06T16:13:37-08:00Raiders Vs. Broncos VIDEO: Jacoby Ford Incredible TD Catch
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> brought in <span>T.J. Houshmandzadeh</span> probably because he felt he'd provide <span>Carson Palmer</span> with a security blanket wide receiver he could rely upon if things went bad with everyone else. But it's not Housh that Palmer has ended up targeting a lot this week. It's the <span>Jacoby Ford</span> show here, as Palmer targeted Ford as his primary receiver in this one. Ford has five catches for 105 yards, none more than spectacular than his touchdown catch midway through the third quarter.</p>
<p>Check out the video of his completion after the jump!</p>
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<p>Ford pretty much runs inches from the sideline on his route almost the entire way, then leaps up, hauls in Palmer's throw, and tiptoes on the edge of the end zone with two feet to help put Oakland up 24-14. Not a bad day at all for Ford.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on the Raiders, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com">hit up Silver and Black Pride</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com"> head to Mile High Report</a>. </b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/6/2543008/jacoby-ford-raiders-vs-broncos-videoAvinash Kunnath2011-11-06T15:57:43-08:002011-11-06T15:57:43-08:00Raiders Vs. Broncos Score: Tim Tebow And Willis McGahee Bring Denver Back, Tied At 24-24
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> have roared to life <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/6/2542855/carson-palmer-marcel-reece-raiders-vs-broncos-score/in/2292324">out of halftime </a>and are somehow in a dogfight in the Black Hole against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>. On Denver's first drive, Tebow found <span>Dante Rosario</span> for 18 yards, scrambled for 19 more, then hit <span>Eddie Royal</span> on a semi-rollout for 26 yards to bring the Broncos within seven.</p>
<p>Back came Oakland, as <span>Carson Palmer</span> engineered an 80 yard drive, finding <span>Michael Bush</span>, <span>Marcel Reece</span> and <span>Jacoby Ford</span> twice (once on a spectacular catch for a touchdown) to put Oakland back up ten. But Denver came right back when Tebow found <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> for 29 yards and scrambled for twelve more to set up a <span>Matt Prater</span> field goal to bring Denver within seven. After Carson Palmer was intercepted over the middle by Chris Harris, <span>Willis McGahee</span> took the next offensive snap and cut back past the left guard for a 60 yard score to tie things up in Oakland.</p>
<p>This AFC West showdown is up for grabs as we progress into the fourth quarter in Oakland. Both quarterbacks have had their ups and downs, but it's all evened out for what's looking like an epic showdown in the Bay Area.</p>
<p><b><i>To discuss the game with Raiders fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com">hit up Silver And Black Pride</a>. To discuss things with Broncos fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">go to Mile High Report</a>. </i></b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/6/2542974/tim-tebow-willis-mcgahee-oakland-raiders-vs-denver-broncos-scoreAvinash Kunnath