Raider420, do we have enough offense...

[UG Fiend]

...to beat these Bucs? I'm having trouble remembering a time when the best defense didn't win a Super Bowl, and all I can think about this week is how the Raiders fared against the Ravens two years ago. I've analyzed each position and here's what I come up with:

QB: Gannon was good back then and he is much improved now. Been very accurate this year and is likely to stay in the game this time, due to the much improved line.

RB's: Improved from two years ago. We now have a back that can burst and catch balls outta the backfield (Garner), can get short yardage (Crockett) and can grind out the clock if need be (Wheatley).

OL - The pass-blocking is MUCH improved from 2001, with the run-blocking improving slightly, if at all.

TE - Improved from two years ago; this one actually has hands. Needs to cut out those false-starts, though.

WR's: Improved from two years ago, mainly due to Porter's emergence. Brown has noticably slowed down from 2001, but Rice has yet to see such a dropoff.

Overall the offense has markedly improved from 2001, but is it enough to beat these Bucs? What do you think?

[Raider 420]

There is no doubt that this offense can get it done against that Bucs D. It's just a matter of execution. Without that 90+ yard strike by Sharpe in '00, that team would've advanced to Superbowl XXXV. And Baltimore had the second best defense ever created. The Bucs D aint as good as the '00 Ravens D and this years Raider O is a whole lot better than in '00, way more weapons and a vastly improved O-line. But this is all on paper, it's a matter of execution... getting shit done. This game will be decided on field position, special teams is always overlooked. Take care of business and a fourth Lombardi piece will be added to the collection.

[S...]

As the old saying goes: Offenses sell tickets. Defenses win games

BUT: I think it really all boils down to the OLine. And i think there's no problems there, they've been impenetrable this year, and as long as Gannon is protected and feeling comfortable, he'll drop bombs. Also, w/Charlie Garner having nearly as many recieving yards as he does rushing yards, Gannon will be able to mix it up with the screen when need be.

I'll be looking for quick outs to beat those DB's, more or less YAC for gains and not much over the middle (thats how Oakland destroyed Denver on Monday Night). Brooks will have the flat routes sewed up, unless Jolley can beat em with the post.

[A.L.TRUIST]

Do the Raiders have enough defense?

Both Tory James and Charles Woodson have metal plates in their legs holding their broken limbs together. Woodson can't stop on a dime or change directions well. The Bucs receivers are big, strong and fast....I see it as a key match up - their athletic wide receivers against our banged up corners....but as far as offense goes, Raider O should be good for 4 TD's and hopefully that's enough when you throw in a couple kicks...

Go Raiders!!

[Dr. Kris Knacker]

From what I've seen/read, is that all the Raiders need to do is run the ball up the gut. Our UPS driver is claiming Wheatley to get the SuperBowl MVP. However, I predict Gannon to throw the first 5 plays. (out on a limb there huh)


Go Bucs!


Is the over under still 44?

[S...]

Originally posted by Dr. Kris Knacker
Is the over under still 44?


I think so. Check sportsbook.com, for me will you? "Gambling" is restricted on my comp at work.

[Dr. Kris Knacker]

Date # Team Money Line Total

01-26-03
6:20 PM 303 Raiders (Oakland) -180 -4(-105) o44(-110)
304 Buccaneers (Tampa Bay) +150 4(-105) u44(-110)


WERD!

[Raider 420]

Originally posted by A.L.TRUIST
Do the Raiders have enough defense?

Both Tory James and Charles Woodson have metal plates in their legs holding their broken limbs together. Woodson can't stop on a dime or change directions well. The Bucs receivers are big, strong and fast....I see it as a key match up - their athletic wide receivers against our banged up corners....but as far as offense goes, Raider O should be good for 4 TD's and hopefully that's enough when you throw in a couple kicks...

Go Raiders!!
The Tampa WR to Oakland DB matchup is irrelevant. Our defensive front is two times as good as their offensive front. Johnson's back numbers are going to be green by games end... Two picks, I'll call it now.

[UG Fiend]

Originally posted by Raider 420
This game will be decided on field position, special teams is always overlooked. Take care of business and a fourth Lombardi piece will be added to the collection.

I agree with this statement. The Raiders offense alone is not enough to beat the Bucs. Any Raider win win will come down to their defense or special teams making a play that starts their offense in the red-zone.

[LBFam]

DEFENSE WINS GAMES

-the end-

[Raider 420]

Originally posted by LBFam
DEFENSE WINS GAMES

-the end-
http://www.ciadvertising.org/SA/fall_02/adv382j/qwkag/assign2/2cents.JPG
Thanks

[A.L.TRUIST]

"DEFENSE WINS GAMES..."

There's only two sides of the ball....it's either offense or defense...throw in special teams and that's it....

so anyone who says defense or offense you gotta 50% chance of being right, but you ain't saying nothing.

What SPECIFICALLY will this game come down to?

I think it's about how the Raiders weak area, their cornerbacks, hold up....I'd also agree with anything concerning the matchup at the line, cuz TB's gonna bring the rush...but if you give Gannon time, the Raiders are scoring....And since I think the Raiders are gonna score about 4 TDs, I think it comes down to the performance of TBs passing game, and one area they can exploit is our injured corners.

No matter what - RAIDERS ARE THE NEXT SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!

[LBFam]

Originally posted by A.L.TRUIST
[BAnd since I think the Raiders are gonna score about 4 TDs [/B]


there is NO WAY the raiders will score 4 TD's..theyll put some points on the board..but they wont get 4 TD's agains tampa's D..i say..

TAMPA- 20
RAIDERS- 17