NFL Week Two Preview: STL Rams at Oakland Raiders

Sidenote: I was going to attend this game but I wasn't able to attain tickets (at a relatively low price lol).


I AM READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!  To be completely and brutally honest, both of these teams have been the shittiest clubs over the past three seasons.  The generic, average fan will bypass this game.  They'll be more enthused by the Colts-Giants game or the Jets-Patriots games, and rightly so; these teams have produced in the recent past.  But both these teams have die-hard fan bases.  I am part of the Rams' fan base.

I didn't see anything encouraging about the Raiders in Week 1.  They didn't protect their new QB Jason Campbell, giving up four sacks in the first half. The fact that starting LG Robert Gallery didn't participate in Thursday's practice doesn't help either.  Their run defense was terrible, and it was supposed to be improved.  Still, Chris Johnson got loose for 142 yards.  They won't have it easy this week either with Steven Jackson.

CB Nnamdi Asomugha is the bright light on this Raiders team.  He shuts down half of the field.  QBs are known to just not throw to his side.  Asomugha will be more dangerous now since he'll be shadowing the opposing team's best receiver, apposed to just being on the left/right side.  Rookie QB Sam Bradford will struggle against Asomugha.  An Asomugha INT won't be surprising.

I expect the Rams to heavily pressure Oakland's o-line, just like the Tennessee Titans did in Week 1.  DE Chris Long was playing like a madman last week, but didn't record an official sack.  I expect him to get his sack this week.  The defense will still have to account for RB Darren McFadden.  Even though I believe he's overrated, McFadden did go for 95 yards last week.  The Rams allowed mediocre RBs (Tim Hightower, LaRod Stephens-Howling ) run for 103 yards.  McFadden can do this himself if not controlled.

RB Steven Jackson will have to turn up another notch this week.  He only racked up 81 rushing yards Week 1.  With Asomugha guarding WR Mark Clayton (he was the Rams' best reciever in Week 1), Jackson will have to put on a monster game.  I know he's capable of putting on a show like that.

I bid you all farewell.