SB Nation Bay Area - Raiders vs. Vikings: Raiders Defense, Carson Palmer Lead Raiders to 27-21 Victory, First Place in AFC Westhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-11-22T13:31:07-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23260522011-11-22T13:31:07-08:002011-11-22T13:31:07-08:00Week 11 NFL Scores: Raiders Gain Ground on Chargers, Chiefs; Broncos Keep Pace
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>This week was a busy week for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> and the rest of the AFC West. We learned a lot about each of the teams, but it is still difficult to tell how the division will end up as all the teams have several very difficult games remaining on their schedule. <br><br><b>Raiders 27, Vikngs 21:</b> This game looked for all intents and purposes like a blowout, and it should have been, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> stormed back in the fourth quarter to pull within six. However, the Raiders defense clamped down and would let them get no closer. We may criticize the Raiders for playing extremely conservatively in the second half in only scoring three points and running the ball too much when <span>Carson Palmer</span> was having a lot of success throwing the ball, but we also have to remember the Vikings were shut out in both the second and third quarters and were only given new hope by a very rare <span>Michael Bush</span> fumble. <br><br>Other than that, the Raiders utterly dominated the Vikings and squeezed the life from them with straight ahead power football. The Raiders gained 162 yards rushing against a top-flight rush defense. Should the Raiders make the playoffs, they will face nothing but good rush defenses, so it's a good sign that they can run on anyone no matter how good the rush defense is. However, their prevent style will not work in the second half against teams better than the Vikings on offense, which is to say, almost all the teams. It is a concern that simply must be addressed by the coaching staff.<br><br><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> 17, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a> 13:</b> This was a sloppy, poorly-executed, boring game from the start until the very last drive. The Broncos defense, <span>Von Miller</span> in particular, looked extremely good, but I'm uncertain how much of that is on the Broncos and how much is due to the Jets being criminally overrated. <span>Mark Sanchez</span> was simply dreadful and the Jets scored their lone touchdown on a fumble recovery by a lineman. The Jets are nowhere near as good as they think they are, or as the media seems to think they are. <br><br>The Broncos, on the other hand, are developing a pattern here. The pattern is that of a smothering, opportunistic defense and a grinding, tricky rush offense. Tim Tebow may be considered inaccurate if you just go by the numbers, but the reality is that his receivers were dropping his passes left and right when they were on target. The NFL Network crew had the gall to ask Tebow what he says to his receivers after he "doesn't get them the ball". He does get them the ball, they just can't catch and anyone who watched the game on Thursday night could plainly see that. Apparently the men paid to analyze the game neglected to watch it. That being said, we all know about the Tebow heroics on the last drive and how the game turned out. The Broncos have a difficult schedule the rest of the way, with the next two games on the road and then a Dec. 18 meeting with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>. The next two games will tell us much about <span>Tim Tebow's</span> future.<br><br><br><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> 31, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> 20:</b> This was the fifth straight loss for the Chargers and the fifth straight win for the Bears. <span>Philip Rivers</span> continued his pattern of throwing for a lot of yards and a lot of interceptions. The Chargers' running game was nonexistent, with <span>Ryan Mathews</span> only rushing 13 times for 37 yards and a lost fumble. Rivers was forced to take to the air, and the results were predictable against a stingy Bears defense. Rivers' boneheaded plays (like trying to throw a ball away, only to have it fly directly into the arms of a defender five yards in bounds) made what had been a close game into an absolute laugher. The Bears looked really good until <span>Jay Cutler</span> broke his thumb chasing down a defender on an interception return, and then Cutler handed off almost exclusively. The Bears still didn't reach 100 yards rushing even under those extreme circumstances. <br><br>The Bears played a Raider-style conservative offense and a prevent defense late in the game, but unlike the Raiders, they have the defense to be successful with that strategy. It will be an interesting game when the Bears play the Raiders in Oakland without Cutler this Sunday.<br><br><br><b>Patriots 34, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> 3:</b> The first half of this game was a slugfest, with both teams looking stout defensively, Kansas City perhaps more so. They sacked <span>Tom Brady</span> three times in the first quarter alone. But then halftime adjustments were made, and the Patriots came out and absolutely dismantled the Chiefs. They intercepted <span>Tyler Palko</span> three times and Tom Brady hooked up with <span>Rob Gronkowski</span> four times for 96 yards and two spectacular touchdowns.</p>
<p>So which is the real Chiefs team, the first half or the second half? I'm inclined to think it's closer to the first half from a defensive standpoint and the second half from an offensive standpoint, The Chiefs got close to the end zone on a few occasions but Palko was not able to get them in for a score. I imagine they will have that sort of trouble the rest of the year, particularly against teams with a strong pass rush. <span>Matt Cassel</span> may not have been an upper-crust NFL QB, but he was extremely important to the Chiefs and without him they are slightly below mediocre.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/22/2581026/week-11-nfl-raiders-chargers-chiefs-broncos-tebowTyler Smith2011-11-21T07:33:06-08:002011-11-21T07:33:06-08:00Raiders vs. Vikings: Raiders Cut it Close Again, Fail to Score in Fourth Quarter Again
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>, led by <span>Carson Palmer</span> and <span>Michael Bush</span>, jumped out to an early lead against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> on Sunday. After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Raiders put up 24 unanswered points on the Vikings to enter half time with a 24-7 lead. The Raiders held off the Vikings in the third quarter and increased their lead with a short <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span> field goal as the third quarter wound down to an end.</p>
<p>After three quarters, the Raiders had a comfortable 20 point lead and looked like they would be able to coast to yet another victory on the road. Then memories of the week two loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> started to creep into the consciousness of the Raider Nation. The Vikings scored early in the fourth quarter, bringing themselves to within two scores of the Raiders. That is when things started to get really scary for the Raiders.</p>
<p>The Raiders got the ball back after the Vikings touchdown and began to march down the field. The Raiders stalled at the Minnesota 31 yard line, well within Janikowski's field goal range, even with his injured hamstring. It looked like the Raiders would go back up by three scores and all but put the game away. Then Janikowski's field goal was blocked.</p>
<p>The Vikings immediately began to drive down the field. It looked as though the Vikings would put points on the board for sure, until <span>Stanford Routt</span> made a big time interception in the end zone. Again, the Raiders looked as though they had finally put the game away. That is, until Michael Bush fumbled the ball four plays later, giving the Vikings excellent field position. It took <span>Christian Ponder</span> one play as he hit his tight end <span>Visanthe Shiancoe</span> for a 37 yard field goal.</p>
<p>The Raiders would get the ball back two more times in the final five minutes of the game but failed to put any points on the board and allowed the Vikings to stay in the game all of the way to the end. The Raiders have not scored any fourth quarter points since week five.</p>
<p>The Raiders scored a field goal with ten minutes remaining in their week five victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> but still allowed the Texans to pull within one score and gave them a chance to win at the end of the game. The Raiders have failed to score in the fourth quarter of the last five games they played. If they want to make the playoffs, and more importantly, do well in the playoffs, the Raiders need to find a way to start scoring fourth quarter points and put opponents away.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/21/2577784/raiders-vs-vikings-carson-palmer-michael-bushJames Arcellana2011-11-21T06:01:22-08:002011-11-21T06:01:22-08:00Raiders Vs. Vikings Recap By The Numbers: Michael Bush, Carson Palmer Lead Oakland To Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> improved their road record to 4-1 on Sunday with a 27-21 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. Quarterback <span>Carson Palmer</span> scored a rushing touchdown and connected with <span>Chaz Schilens</span> on an 11 yard touchdown pass. He finished the game 17-for-23 with 164 passing yards and no interceptions.</p>
<p>Running back <span>Michael Bush</span> led all rushers with 109 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown, as it was the running game that the Raiders leaned on. <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span> led Raiders receivers with 43 yards on four catches, although Matt Giorgano returned an interception 42 yards for Oakland.</p>
<p>Kicker <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span> was two-for-three on field goal attempts with a long of 29.</p>
<p>Oakland defense held Vikings rushers to 124 yards and recorded five sacks and an additional five quarterback hits. <span>Tommy Kelly</span> and <span>Desmond Bryant</span> recorded two sacks each. <span>Lito Sheppard</span> had six solo tackles, including a sack.</p>
<p>For all news and information regarding the Oakland Raiders, you can always visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Silver and Black Pride</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/21/2577179/oakland-raiders-vs-vikings-recap-stats-michael-bush-carson-palmerBill Hanstock2011-11-21T05:02:05-08:002011-11-21T05:02:05-08:00Darrius Heyward-Bey Injury Update: Oakland Raiders Receiver Flies Home With Team [PHOTO]
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> were victorious on Sunday over the hometown <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, but they finished the game without wide receiver <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span>, who was stretchered off the field in the second half after taking a bit hit from <span>Cedric Griffin</span>.</p>
<p>Early indicators were positive, as Heyward-Bey was expected to fly home with the team. According <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/murph918/status/138453579320143872/photo/1">to a tweet sent out by teammate Louis Murphy Jr.</a><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/murph918/status/138453579320143872/photo/1"></a>, that's exactly what happened.</p>
<p><a href="https://p.twimg.com/Aeviy_3CMAAcddM.jpg:large"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/896007/3bmGg.jpg"><img alt="3bmgg_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/896007/3bmGg_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>via <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/murph918/status/138453579320143872/photo/1">Louis Murphy</a></p>
<p>According to Murphy, Heyward-Bey asked him to send the photo out so Raiders fans could see he is doing well. Although he is in a neck brace, his flying home with the team is a wonderful indicator that things are not terribly serious regarding his injury at this time. More will be known in the coming week, but it is good news that he appears to be feeling well enough at the moment.</p>
<p>For all Oakland Raiders news and information, you can always visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Silver and Black Pride</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/21/2577287/darrius-heyward-bey-injury-dhb-injury-picture-airplane-oakland-raidersBill Hanstock2011-11-20T15:37:14-08:002011-11-20T15:37:14-08:00Darrius Heyward-Bey Injury Update: Raiders WR Leaves Hospital, Will Fly Home With Team
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> suffered a scare when <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span> went down in the second half after suffering what appeared to be <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2576060/darrius-heyward-bey-injury-video-dhb-oakland-raiders-vs-vikings/in/2326052">a big injury </a>on a hit from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> defender <span>Cedric Griffin</span>. Heyward-Bey spent a few minutes on the ground before eventually being put on a stretcher and carted off the field.</p>
<p>It's looking like the early indicators are positive for the Raiders.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-oakland-raiders/news/Heyward-Bey-leaves-early-with-injury?blockID=597652&feedID=2539"> Paul Gutierrez of Comcast Sports Net Bay Area reports</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>After the game, Raiders officials told Comcast SportsNet's Kate Longworth that Heyward-Bey was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for precautionary measures and X-rays. <br><br>Coach Hue Jackson later said that Heyward-Bey never lost consciousness and said he would join the team on its charter flight home Sunday night.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;">It's a good sign that the Raiders WR is going home with the team. It could indicate that either the injury isn't serious or that it won't cause too much of a problem for him to eventually return to the team.</div>
<p>If Heyward-Bey has to miss significant playing time, this will cause another hampering of an already hampered Oakland offense. The Raiders are already struggling with injures to <span>Darren McFadden</span> and <span>Jacoby Ford</span>, so Heyward-Bey's health is of paramount importance to the team.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the Heyward-Bey injury with the Raiders,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com"> go to Silver and Black Pride</a>. <br></b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2576430/darrius-heyward-bey-injury-dhb-injury-oakland-raiders-injury-reportAvinash Kunnath2011-11-20T13:25:16-08:002011-11-20T13:25:16-08:00Raiders vs. Vikings, NFL Scores: Raiders Defense, Carson Palmer Leads Raiders to 27-21 Victory
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> came to the Metrodome looking to keep hold of first place in the AFC West, while the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> were simply looking for a win after their beat down on Monday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a>. Minnesota looked confident early, but the loss of Adrian Peterson to injury and numerous turnovers were too much to overcome as the Raiders came out victorious by the score of 27-21.</p>
<p>Adrian Peterson began the game with a 12 yard TD run for the Vikings, but <a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2575819/adrian-peterson-injury-update-video-oakland-raiders-vs-vikings/in/2326052" target="_blank">left late in the first quarter with an ankle injury</a> and did not return. That started the momentum shift for the Raiders, who would go on to score 24 unanswered points from there, including a 11 yard touchdown reception from Chaz Schillens, a two yard <span>Michael Bush</span> TD and a one yard Carson Palmer Rush TD to push the Raiders ahead in the first half. </p>
<p>Both Bush and Palmer were brusing the Vikings today as Bush finished with 109 yards on 30 carries including a TD and a fumble, while Palmer was 17 for 23 for 164 yards including a passing and rushing touchdown. But the Raiders defense were the real game changers today, finishing with 5 turnovers forced (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles) including two of the three picks inside the Raiders 25 yard line. Both teams had their fare share of penalties as well, finishing with 12 for 117 yards for Oakland and 9 for 50, with one penalty killing a <span>Percy Harvin</span> touchdown catch in the first quarter.</p>
<p><span>Christian Ponder</span> finished the game with three interceptions but still made a valiant effort at a second half comeback. He found Percy Harvin for a 26 yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter, his first TD catch of the year, followed by a one yard pass to <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> after a Michael Bush fumble to make it 27-21. In the end they couldn't comeback though, as the Raiders early lead and numerous turnovers sealed their fate this Sunday. </p>
<p>With the win the Raiders move to 6-4, solely atop the AFC West. </p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Raiders, head over to <a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com" target="_blank">Silver and Black Pride.</a> </i></b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2576098/raiders-vs-vikings-nfl-scores-carson-palmer-adrian-peterson-afc-westErnie Pomin2011-11-20T12:45:47-08:002011-11-20T12:45:47-08:00Darrius Heyward-Bey Injury: Raiders WR Taken Off Field On Stretcher [VIDEO]
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> at the Metrodome, wide receiver <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span> took a vicious hit from Vikings cornerback <span>Cedric Griffin</span>, leaving him on the field for several minutes and eventually needing to be carted off the field by medical personnel. </p>
<p>The hit itself didn't seem to be overly devastating at first glance, but was enough to knock off his helmet and leave him dazed and confused. He tried to get up at first, but wisely laid himself down and waited for the medical staff. After a couple of minutes of laying motionless, medical personel brought in the stretcher and cart to take him off the field.</p>
<p>Heyward-Bey was seen moving his leg when being put on the stretcher, as well as raising his arm and wiggling his fingers, which is a great sign. He has been quite the spark to their offense this year, hauling in 27 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown so far this year. </p>
<p><iframe src="https://bayarea.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=27431" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="27431-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2576060/darrius-heyward-bey-injury-video-dhb-oakland-raiders-vs-vikingsErnie Pomin2011-11-20T12:27:19-08:002011-11-20T12:27:19-08:00Raiders vs. Vikings, Score Update: Raiders Add Field Goal, Extend Lead to 27-14
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G0-pRIY4kxr6Wb1r1m2g2LnKJCY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828101/large_bayarea.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> are taking care of business up at the Metronome through three quarters, adding another <span>Sebastian Janikowski</span> field goal in the period to extend their lead to 27-13 early in the fourth quarter. </p>
<p>Janikowski added his second field goal of the day with about a minute left in the third quarter, a 26 yard shot to cap off a seven play, 16 yard drive started after another <span>Christian Ponder</span> interception. Ponder has really been struggling thus far, completing 13 of 20 of his passes for 120 yards, including a TD to <span>Percy Harvin</span> early in the fourth quarter, his first TD reception of the year. </p>
<p>As for the Raiders offense, <span>Carson Palmer</span> has been slicing up the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> secondary, going 13 for 18 for 126 yards thus far, making it look easy along the way. He's got a passing and rushing touchdown already, and is looking to finish up the Vikes early in the fourth. Micheal Bush has 80 yards on 20 carries including a touchdown as well. </p>
<p><a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2575954/adrian-peterson-injury-update-toby-gerhart-in-as-vikings-rb-waits-on" target="_blank">Adrian Peterson continues to sit out</a> for the Vikings, who left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. </p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Raiders, head over to<a href="http://www.silverandblackpride.com" target="_blank"> Silver and Black Pride.</a> </i></b> </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/11/20/2576017/raiders-vs-vikings-score-update-third-quarter-carson-palmer-adrian-petersonErnie Pomin