Mirror Images: on offense these two clubs mirror one another.  Oakland and Baltimore each rank in the bottom ten in the league in passing and rushing offense.  In week seven, however, each offensive unit did enough to help its team win.

Stellar, as usual: during and since their 2000 Super Bowl run, the Ravens have built their team identity on defense.  This year they’re back in familiar form, ranking second in the league in total defense (allowing only 244 yards per game). 

No Burgess, No Problem:  Week 7 marked the breakout of rising star Trevor Scott, filling in for pass rush specialist Derrick Burgess.  Scott recorded two sacks and is expected to start again this week.  Another rookie, Chaz Schilens, got off to a rocky first start at WR, recording only two catches for 10 yards.  Give him a mulligan for his first time out of the gate, but he’ll have to step it up to help Oakland win in Baltimore and keep his starting job. 

Nearing the season’s midpoint, it was reported Thursday (by the Oakland Tribune) that Darren McFadden has experienced another setback in his lingering turf toe injury and may have trouble getting fully healthy this season.  With Ronald Curry absent in the passing game, a theme is developing in Oakland wherein the Raiders will lean heavily on veterans Justin Fargas and Javon Walker for offensive production.   Sunday’s matchup in Baltimore, in which two young quarterbacks face off, is likely to be decided by which signal caller makes fewer mistakes.

By: Knup on Oct 24th, 2008
Tagged as: Uncategorized

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