The Oakland Raiders took advantage of a few missing pieces on the Dolphins defense as the offensive line blocked well the whole game in the running game. Daunte Culpepper got his revenge on the Dolphins for cutting him loose in the off-season as he completed 5 of 12 passes for 75 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions. Culpepper also was outstanding running the football as he toted the rock 7 times for 28 yards (4.0 ypc) with 3 TD runs. LaMont Jordan started the game like gangbusters as he carried the ball 15 times for 74 yards (4.9 ypc) before leaving the game with what appeared to be a serious back injury. Justin Fargas replaced Jordan in the lineup and he was outstanding! Fargas carried the ball 22 times for 179 yards (8.1 ypc)! Fullback Justin Griffith even got in on the fun with 5 carries for 18 yards (3.6 ypc). WR Jerry Porter turned back the clock and caught 3 passes for 52 yards (17.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs. The Raiders held on to the football for an amazing 35:07 of the football game. They rushed for 299 yards on 49 carries (6.1 ypc) and they completed 5 of 12 passes for 70 yards.

The defense had serious issues stopping the running game of the Dolphins who rushed for 141 yards on 20 carries (7.1 ypc). But the Raiders defense was outstanding against the pass as the Fins only completed 14 of 25 passes for 137 yards. Linebacker Thomas Howard had another very solid game with 4 tackles and an interception.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270930015

The Oakland Raiders will being trying to build off of a last second win against the Cleveland Browns while the Dolphins will be trying to build on their best effort of the season last week. 

Daunte Culpepper will get the start this week at QB against the team that kicked him to the curb in the off season.  Even with an inspired Culpepper the Raiders will likely focus on the running game.  The Raiders average 159.3 yards rushing per game on the ground and the Dolphins allow 166.0 yards rushing and 4.3 yards per carry so far this season.  Look for LaMont Jordan (350 yards rushing, 121 yards receiving) to be the focal point of the Raiders offense.  The Dolphins linebackers must contain Jordan or the Raiders are going to run all over the Fins’ defense.  Look for Culpepper to take a few shots down the football field to Ronald Curry (15 rec, 207 yards, 2 TDs) and Jerry Porter (4 rec, 92 yards, TD).

The Dolphins would like to mix it up on offense this week like they did against the Jets last week when they put 28 points on the board.  For that to happen the Dolphins must get another good effort from the offensive line.  Ronnie Brown (177 yards rushing, 175 yards receiving) is the main man on offense for the Dolphins so Raiders’ linebackers Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison will be busy.  The Raiders allow 256.0 yards per game passing but the Dolphins must be careful because the Raiders’ corners make big plays on the football.  The Dolphins need Chris Chambers (21 rec, 302 yards) and Marty Booker (12 rec, 159 yards, TD) must have good games for the Fins or the Raiders will gang up on Ronnie Brown.

PREDICTION:  This is an evenly matched football game.  But I think the Raiders will cover the 3.5 pointspread and they could win this game outright as Lane Kiffin has inspired the troops who have played much better for him than they did for Art Shell.

For more advice like this check this site out http://www.baysportspicks.com/

The Oakland Raiders will be without QB Josh McCown for 1-2 weeks as he recovers from a fractured big toe.  McCown has played decent for the Raiders this season as he has completed 44 of 68 passes (64.7%) for 494 yards with 4 TD passes and 5 interceptions (75.2 QB Rating).  He also has carried the football 9 times for 46 yards (5.1 ypc).  The Raiders will start Daunte Culpepper who played pretty decent last week in his first action of the season.  Culpepper completed 8 of 14 passes (57.1%) for 118 yards with 0 TD pass and 0 interceptions (84.8 QB Rating).  Look for Culpepper to be inspired this week as he’s playing against the Miami Dolphins who gave up on him during the off-season.

Starting guard Robert Gallery will also miss this weekend’s game with the Dolphins as he has torn ligaments in his right shoulder.

Taylor got caught in a numbers game in Oakland as the Raiders decided to go with youth as the backup WRs on the roster.  This might look like a mistake in a few weeks unless Mike Williams proves he can catch a pass.  He missed a couple of passes that hit him in a bad spot……his hands.

The Oakland Raiders snapped an 11-game losing streak yesterday by coach Lane Kiffin taking a play out of Mike Shanahan’s playbook as he called a timeout right before the Browns attempted a game winning field goal which went right through the goalposts.  When the Browns retried the field goal the Raiders blocked it sealing the Raiders’ first win for rookie coach Lane Kiffin.  Josh McCown started the game and he played pretty decent before having to leave the game with an injured ankle.  He completed 6 of 12 passes for 108 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions.  He also carried the ball 4 times for 15 yards (3.8 ypc).  Daunte Culpepper replaced McCown and he looked decent completing 8 of 14 passes for 118 yards.  The Raiders running game was outstanding which helped them hold onto the football for 36:17 of the football game.  LaMont Jordan had a great game with 29 carries for 121 yards (4.2 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 2 passes for 32 yards.  Justin Fargas was also solid with 8 carries for 50 yards (6.3 ypc).  Ronald Curry (3 rec, 62 yards, TD) and TE John Madsen (3 rec, 61 yards) led the way for the Raiders passing game.  The Raiders finished up with 41 carries for 186 yards (4.5 ypc) and they completed 14 of 26 passes for 210 yards.

Linebackers Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison both played outstanding games yesterday for the Raiders.  Howard had 8 tackles and he intercepted a pass that he returned 26 yards.  Morrison was also solid as he made 4 tackles and he intercepted a pass that he returned 45 yards.  The Browns rushed for 88 yards on 19 yards (4.6 ypc) and they completed 18 of 37 passes for 224 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270923013