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Matt McGloin earned a place in the starting line-up after his performance against the Houston Texans last week
Matt McGloin (Penn State) shocked many last week when he stepped in and led the Oakland Raiders to a big victory over the Houston Texans. The undrafted rookie was given the NFL’s “Rookie of the Week” honor after his first ever start. This week, he faces Akeem Ayers (UCLA) and the Tennessee Titans (4-6).
There was some dispute over whether or not McGloin should even be the starter this week, even with his 18-27 for 197 yards and 3 touchdown performance last Sunday. He stepped in last week for Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), who had previously led the team in both passing (1559 yards) and rushing (504 yards). Pryor is questionable for this weeks contest, but Coach Dennis Allen has declared McGloin the starter as long as he continues to play at a high level.
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“This is a production business,” Coach Allen told ESPN, while describing an atmosphere of competition. If that’s what Coach Allen’s ideology is, then it’s hard to argue with his decision to leave McGloin in there after last week. McGloin didn’t seem phased by J.J. Watt’s (Wisconsin) quarterback pressure, so he ought to be able to hang in the pocket and throw strikes against any NFL defense. Though he will be missing Denarius Moore (University of Tennessee) who is the team leader in touchdown catches (5), McGloin has shown he can play in the NFL.
The other storyline from last week was that running back Rashad Jennings (Liberty) toted the rock with ease and confidence. Jennings highlight of the game was an 80-yard touchdown, on which he took the snap from the wildcat formation and ran over Texans’ safety D.J. Swearinger.
The original starter, Darren McFadden (Arkansas), is listed as questionable, but if Jennings has the potential to have 150 yards on 22 carries (his numbers last week) he hardly seems like the kind of guy Coach Allen would keep on the bench (see the aforementioned “production business” statement). The Titans rank 20th in rushing yards allowed this season, so Jennings has potential to have a big day.
The Titans come into this game in a spot the Raiders know very well. Last week, starting Quarterback Jake Locker (Washington) suffered a season ending foot injury. Now, the Titans have the backup, Ryan Fitzpatrick (Harvard), coming in and have signed John Skelton (Fordham) to be his backup.
Fitzpatrick has had much more NFL success in the past than McGloin had coming into his 1st start. Fitzpatrick was the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills for a stint, in which he was a starter most of his time there and threw 81 touchdowns in 54 starts.
While most of his success was in the middle of that Bills tenure, he could very well bring back some of that magic against the Raiders who are ranked 25th in passing yards allowed.
The other weapon the Raiders have to worry about is starting tailback Chris Johnson (Eastern Carolina). Dubbed CJ2K once upon a time, Johnson has, at times this year, looked like the Chris Johnson that was the top running back in the NFL. What Johnson has over many other is speed.
He’s famous for his 4.24-second forty yard dash at the NFL combine, the fastest since they went to electronic timing systems. If you’re looking to see an unstoppable force run into an immovable object this weekend, it would be hard to put anything above Johnson running against the Raiders defensive front, which is currently ranked 6th in rushing yards allowed.
How Tennessee Will Win
CJ2K Gets Going
Chris Johnson has had a couple of good games this year. If he were to break out and have a game that reminded us of 2009’s CJ (when he had 2006 yards on the year), Oakland will be in trouble. Once he’s broken past the front seven, he’s too fast and too hard to catch for a Raider fan to feel comfortable.
Ryan Fitzpatrick Comes to Play
Fitzpatrick is smart (and no, not just regarding football). The Harvard graduate knows that he’s played at high levels in the league and as he’s watching Oakland’s DB’s this week he has to be chomping at the bit. Fitzpatrick could go off for 300 and 4 touchdowns if he played at that elite level he once did. And I’m betting the Ivey Leaguer knows it. We’ll see Sunday if he can do it.
The Defense Shows Up
Let’s face it, as great as McGloin was, Tennessee DB’s may want to make him look like a flash in the past. Alterraun Verner (UCLA) leads the league with five interceptions. Verner and Ayers, both Bruins and California natives, look to have a big game as they come back to the Golden State.
How Oakland Will Win
McGloin Repeats
It’s really that simple. Another three touchdown, zero interception day out of McGloin may prove to be too much, on it’s own, for the Titans offense to match. If he improved on his performance this week, well then Tennessee could be in for a long day. Look for McGloin to connect with Mychal Rivera (University of Tennessee) and Rod Streater (Temple), both of whom he connected with for touchdowns last week.
Rashad Jennings Goes Off
If you can get 100+ yards on 20+ carries from a running back every week, your chances of winning go up exponentially. If they can get 150 yards on 22 carries, as Jennings did last week, your team ought to be in good shape. Rashad Jennings is coming off a good week and playing a defense that gives up 117 yards per game on the ground. For the Raiders, THAT is something they’ve got to exploit. Plus, it will open up the passing game for the young McGloin if Bernard Pollard (Purdue) and Michael Griffin (Texas) have to play up to stop the run.
The Black Hole is Too Much
Let’s face it; this could be on the “How Oakland Will Win” list every home game. Now, add an opposing quarterback that hasn’t started in a while, a stiff Oakland run defense, and some momentum after last week, and the Coliseum will be rocking. I’d hate to be Fitzpatrick going back out in that stadium after Tracy Porter (Indiana) has a pick six.
Odd fact of the game you’re sure to hear from an informed commentator:
The Raiders and Titans both enter Sunday’s contest at 4-6. However, even with a Raiders victory, the Titans have significantly better odds of making the playoff picture. They play in the spiraling AFC south, in which someone has to make the playoffs. Their competition are the Colts (7-3), Texans (2-8), and Jaguars (1-9). The Raiders’ division? Broncos (9-1), Chiefs (9-1), and Chargers (4-6).
GAME FACTS
Kickoff: 3:05 ET
TV: CBS
Temperature: 64°, sunny
Oakland – Alameda County Coilseum, Max Capacity 64,200
Surface: Grass
