• March 28, 2024

Eagles-Raiders Pregame Thoughts

folestallHow The Eagles Can Beat The Raiders

A lot of focus is going to be placed on the quarterback position, but I think the real key to this game lies up front.

Its time for the Eagles’ offensive line to start playing up to their potential and helping this team win some games.

The offensive line has been healthy and intact for the entire season, but they’ve been arguably the most disappointing aspect of the 2013 Eagles.

Jason Peters hasn’t been close to the dominate force that he’s been in the past. Evan Mathis has been OK. Jason Kelce has had more than his share of bad moments, and has botched too many snaps throughout the first half of the year. Todd Herremans looks like a guy whose best days are behind him. Lane Johnson is going through growing pains.

The Oakland Raiders have a formidable front seven. They allow just 89.9 rushing yards per contest, and have 21 sacks.

For the Eagles to have a chance in this game, the offensive line has got to play better and win their battles up front. The line can’t just be “ok” anymore, they’ve got to start playing up to the hype that they had before the season began.

If they don’t step up and start playing to their potential, then the Eagles are going to find it difficult to get into the endzone once again.

Defensively, Terrelle Pryor has two more interceptions than he has touchdowns. Its critical that the Eagles’ pass rush be effective throughout the day to increase the odds that the first-year starter will make some mistakes.

Why The Raiders Will Win

The Raiders represent a lot of unique challenges for the Eagles.

When the Eagles have the ball, they’re going to have their hands full against the Raiders front seven. With six players with multiple sacks and six players with forced fumbles, this is a respectable defense that could give an underachieving offense fits.

Defensive end Lamarr Houston is in the middle of a breakout season, with four sacks and a forced fumble. His previous career high has been five. Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett have done good work at the linebacker positions. Veteran Charles Woodson can still play, and has been a valuable leader for them this year.

Offensively, the Raiders have a lot of different weapons at their disposal. Terrelle Pryor has had some really nice moments this year, and is a duel-threat as both a passer and a runner. The Eagles haven’t really faced a mobile quarterback this year, unless you count the hobbled RG III, so the defense is going to need to adjust to a quarterback that can burn them in multiple ways.

Pryor has a couple of decent weapons at the skill positions. Darren McFadden is still an effective running back when healthy. Denarius Moore is a bit of an underrated receiver who has made some plays this season.

Final Thoughts

Any west coast trip is difficult for an east coast team.

The Eagles just aren’t playing good enough football for me to believe that they can go across the country and win a game against the Raiders.

The Raiders are no better than an average team, but right now the Eagles are performing like a mediocre one.

The Eagles defense has been the bright spot of the last few weeks, but until the offense gets themselves straightened out its hard to believe that the Eagles can beat anybody right now. I don’t think a west coast trip against a tough front seven is the best way to cure this team’s offensive woes. I think the Eagles will find the endzone this week, but they’ll still be left looking for an end to their current losing streak.

Pick: Oakland 24, Philadelphia 17

Denny Basens

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eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
November 2, 2013 11:14 am

DJax in Cali —
will he back track to avoid hits and first downs this week?
Cooper, Avant and Ertz know they are going to jammed can they get off the line of scrimmage clean and make the Raiders pay for the disrespect?

DCar
DCar
November 2, 2013 11:46 am

e0, is the 1 trick pony playing? I thought he was listed as doubtful?

BigE
BigE
November 2, 2013 6:20 pm

Raiders are big and physical. If the Eagles can match up front, they have a chance.

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2013 8:02 pm

Raiders are playing their best ball in may years right now, they are young, physical and fast and I see them steam rolling thur the Eagles 28-13
They have a Potent Rushing attack with McFadden ,who is the healthiest he’s been in a few seasons, Pryor, FB Reece and Scat Back T Jones who is very quick and dangerous out of the backfield
The Eagles Rush Defense is still a question mark in my opinion though their stats are not bad, but look at who they have played recently, Giants, Cowboys, Broncos,Giants,TB Bucs who none of them Run the ball very well or often… The last strong rushing attack was the CHiefs who gouged them and pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage all game which is what I expect in the this Raider matchup
Offensively, the Eagles Receivers and QB Foles/Barkley will see and face Man-Press Coverage all afternoon. Can the Receivers get separation which they have had trouble doing against Man Coverage and will the QB’s get enough time too allow the intermediate and deeper routes to be run..The Raiders will crowd the line of scrimmage with 8 in the Box to key on McCoy and play Man-Up on the outside versus the Eagles Recivers and the best way to counter that man-up scheme is to have Receivers in motion on the pre-snaps, run a lot of crossing routes & picks and run a lot of bunch formations … If Cooper,Avant and Maehl line up “Stationary” during the pre-snap in the same Position, they will never get open..
Special Teams & Kicking Game favor the Raiders big time.. Kicker Janikowski can still boom them from 55 Yards off a that crappy Oakland surface …

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 3, 2013 5:20 pm
Reply to  paulman

Correct score…wrong teams

armyprince
armyprince
November 3, 2013 4:46 am

Y’all pick the other team every week not surprised. I. Can’t wait until you guys get the QB you want. Then let’s see how you pick. Annoying as hell

btc24
btc24
November 3, 2013 2:27 pm
Reply to  armyprince

Armyprince, you seem like such a homer. The Eagles have not given us any reason to be optimistic right now. A QB carousel, no offensive TDs in two straight games, no protection from the o line, and 10 straight losses at home. We’re all still rooting for the Eagles but that doesn’t mean we can’t be objective about it.

Theone1
Theone1
November 3, 2013 3:31 pm
Reply to  armyprince

It’s sad.

crazy johnny
crazy johnny
November 3, 2013 6:21 am

Your QB plays well because……the O-line plays well, WRs get open, your RB slashes it up, etc. If these things don’t happen your QB has a bad game.
OR
O-line looks good cuz QB gets rid of ball quickly, places the ball where WRs are going to be open, defenders respect the pass so RB has room to operate.
If your QB can’t consistently do these things, the OL, WRs, and RB look bad.

Which is it here in Philly??

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
November 3, 2013 1:15 pm

where was the focus on the O-line, WR and RB when Mike Vick was playing?? The QB has to step up today and make some plays! Foles has to make accurate throws under pressure. He cant run the read-option effectively..so he has to play much better under pressure. In the Dallas game he was protected well he just didnt make the plays..he has make them today!!

crazy johnny
crazy johnny
November 3, 2013 2:01 pm

Well that’s funny cuz when MV has a bad game it’s cuz the OL stinks or the WRs can’t get separation. What’s really funny is how our OL blocks better, and our WR/TEs get open when a QB other than MV enters the game.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 3, 2013 8:08 pm
Reply to  crazy johnny

you don’t know what you’re talking about…did you notice what happened against the Dallas game? The team didn’t seem to play better then…The coach called a hell of an offensive game, Cooper was able to get some separation, line and WR’s did a better job of blocking TODAY…keyword, TODAY! just another irrational comment!

But Foles was lights out! win is a win and we needed it! Foles looked excellent! No Hate….I congratulate!

crazy johnny
crazy johnny
November 3, 2013 4:25 pm

You see….. This is what I am talking about!!!!

greenfan
greenfan
November 3, 2013 5:04 pm

Here is the uptempo offense again. Success rushing and passing.

Oakland is not a bum team, this only makes me question what the hell was going on in the last 2 weeks.

So far in the 1st half the birds are looking good.

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 3, 2013 5:16 pm

Mike Vick is better than Nick Foles?

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 5:46 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

To answer your question yes he is. Let’s get this win and stop worrying about who the QB is.

Xevious
Xevious
November 3, 2013 6:05 pm
Reply to  Biglion821

Delusional dude.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 3, 2013 5:52 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

Seriously?

Vick isn’t even playing. Let’s win this game. Only thing that’s matter.

mhenski
mhenski
November 3, 2013 6:27 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Nah way beyond that

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 3, 2013 5:18 pm

My boy ERTZ!

mhenski
mhenski
November 3, 2013 6:16 pm

Nicky football!!!!

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 3, 2013 6:19 pm

I’ve never seen Vick play a game like this in my life. You guys are not only delusional and Vick apologists. You are utter morons. And I mean that. Andy Reid, 2 minute drill morons.

mhenski
mhenski
November 3, 2013 6:26 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

Nicky football tied for te record !!!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 6:30 pm

Foles blows

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 6:30 pm

This is incredible

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 3, 2013 6:44 pm

Wheres Marcus Vick at?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 6:47 pm

WIN NOW with Mike Vick.

Mike Vick is amazing.

I for one am happy I got to see the Mike Vick era in person.

Mike Vick is the greatest QB of my era. Any problems he ever had was due to the incompetence of those around him.

Did you not SEE Vick tonight?? Amazing.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 6:51 pm

Can someone explain to me why Mike Vick is still throwing passes and taking sacs in the 4th Q???

Why is MV still in there??

It is MV in there isn’t it?? No one else could have played a game like this. Only the superstar.

Get him out of there before he gets hurt.

The team is finished without MV in there!!

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 8:01 pm

But wait I thought Chip Kelly’s offense is a hinderence for Foles or Barkley? You dudes cats are funny, before the game Vinnie was grasping for straws trying to look for excuses if Foles played bad. I’m just happy for the return of Nick Brady oops I mean Peyton Foles damn I meant Nick Foles.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 8:11 pm
Reply to  Biglion821

Fuck it must be so hard for you appreciating a Qb who isn’t your hero playing well.

Still making up names like Nick Brady.

Fuck…Brady never opened his career with 19tds and 5 ints!

But not good enough for the Biglion!!! He wants his hero and no one else.

Everone else gets made fun of with juvenile taunts.

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 8:29 pm

But Vinnie only hours earlier you said this offense was a hinderence to Foles, see you can’t have it both ways Nick played lights out today and two weeks ago I was one of the few on here saying that Foles wasn’t as bad as that performance and this week I posted that my hero couldn’t stay healthy so it was time to move on. So go watch a rugby game get out of here with your crap. I root for the Eagles slick not the QB.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 8:30 pm
Reply to  Biglion821

STFU loser

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 8:37 pm

Thats all you got Vinnie? LOL see I can point out your crap over and over so nope I will continue to show how much of a fraud you are.

gmcliff
gmcliff
November 4, 2013 5:57 am
Reply to  Biglion821

LOL!!

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 3, 2013 6:54 pm

Just saw that Marcus Vick calls himself MV5. LMAO

pdiddy
pdiddy
November 3, 2013 7:07 pm

Great game Foles, GO BIRDS!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 7:07 pm

4mins to go. Good to see Mike Vick still throwing passes. He’s amazing. WIN NOW.

pdiddy
pdiddy
November 3, 2013 7:07 pm

Oh yeah you too Riley.

mhenski
mhenski
November 3, 2013 7:11 pm

Nicky football 3 starts 2 NFC player of te weeks

Zukny
November 3, 2013 7:12 pm

Come on. GCOBB. Hurry up and release your article full of excuses!!! Foles can’t run, trade him for a can of beer and start Vick

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 3, 2013 7:13 pm

But seriously guys, Mike Vick would have thrown for 10 TD’s and ran for 5 more

Stevo
Stevo
November 3, 2013 7:15 pm

love it. So happy for foles!! what a great game for him. I’m hopeful the Eagles can build off of this game. Not only is the offense rocking and rolling again, defense is looking good too. Division is not over we can still win this.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 7:19 pm

I wonder if the negative nitwit will acknowledge yet another great game by the defense

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 7:44 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

havenoclue, I can’t argue with you. DF played great. Getting better. But that doesn’t change the fact that they need upgrades. But I digress. Great game. BTW, F^#@ you, with your digs, & stupid comments!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 7:52 pm
Reply to  DCar

Stupid comments? Hmmm you always go negative. Draft picks are playing well . Fletcher,Ryan’s, Williams all players you rip are playing well. Lane Johnson better every week. Ertz playing well. You truly love being miserable

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 8:06 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Didn’t just compliment them, you stupid mother fucker???? Why don’t you go troll your imaginary family, dickhead! Where am I miserable? I’m ecstatic right now. Never ripped Fletcher. Williams blows, lets not get out of hand. Ertz has showed up after 9 weeks. Johnson has been a turnstile all year. WTF are you watching. Not the same games, everyone else has! Just go the f^#@ away. I compliment, & you still have a fucking problem. Go kill yourself, loser.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 8:26 pm
Reply to  DCar

Kill myself?that would be a result of a really negative self image.. You are a likely candidate. You rip their secondary, draft picks etc… They have played great

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 8:39 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Don’t think so loser. I have a great life, with a beautiful family & everything to live for. Unlike you, & your make believe, fairytale, pristine family, & life. Give it a rest troll. You have nothing, & you know nothing. The draft picks are bad, & the secondary is bad. You don’t know WTF you are talking about, nor WTF you are watching. Let’s see them beat a good offensive team, before your stupid ass nominates them the next steel curtain. They beat a horrific NYG offense, without a running game, a Dallas offense without a RB, & a Raiders offense, with a 1 dimensional, inexperienced QB, with no weapons. So although they seem to be improving, their secondary is still horrific. Open your fucking eyes, Stevie Wonder.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 8:44 pm
Reply to  DCar

What a dick 5 straight games giving up fewer than 21 points and you still whine like a12 year old girl. Cry bitch

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 8:49 pm
Reply to  DCar

Who’s whining bitch? Spew your verbal diarrhea to my face, & I’ll show you who the 12 year old bitch is, tough guy! But I know you won’t. You’ll hide behind the computer, call me a thug, & whatever else spews out of your lying, delusional, pussy mouth! Just STFU jailhouse punk!

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 8:45 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

You are nothing but a loser POS, that does nothing but come on here to troll, & try to reprimand everyone. You irrationally delude yourself, into thinking you know more than everyone, & are a hypocrite. Just STFU, & go away.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 8:49 pm
Reply to  DCar

Last 5 games average 20 points a game and 2 takeaways per game,,, how bout you go away faggot

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 8:51 pm
Reply to  DCar

Like I said, say it to my face!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 9:01 pm
Reply to  DCar

You are no better than the one you are a total loser dick

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 9:06 pm
Reply to  DCar

Yeah right! Blah, blah, blah, diarrhea, diarrhea, diarrhea. I’l say what I want, when I want. You can’t say, nor do anything about it. It’s a blog site, not havenoclue’s personal teaching site. Just STFU & go kill yourself!

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 9:09 pm
Reply to  DCar

Yeah, I’m the loser dick, while you the lying, irrational, delusional faggot, that has no real life, spends his time reprimanding people on a blog site? Classic hypocrisy at its finest! Please loser douche, you ain’t worth my time!

Xevious
Xevious
November 3, 2013 7:20 pm

Great game. But it’s only one. For a 12 th career start it says a lot. Lets keep it rolling through the remainder of the season. Like Lurie said see if someone can step up and take control. Good game for the team as a whole.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 3, 2013 7:25 pm
Reply to  Xevious

9th start

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 8:34 pm
Reply to  Xevious

X that was a beautiful game by our QB, it gives us hope that we can look at positions other than QB next year. Let’s ride this out.

pdiddy
pdiddy
November 3, 2013 7:23 pm

Most importantly they can go ahead and draft the defensive beast they need in the first round this year. Instead of worrying about a QB. Foles is answering the call of that, Lurie put out there earlier in the week.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 3, 2013 7:26 pm
Reply to  pdiddy

Anthony Barr!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 7:24 pm

9th

RegalEagle
RegalEagle
November 3, 2013 8:01 pm

I told you so!

Best EAGLES GAME in 3 Years PERIOD!

greenfan
greenfan
November 3, 2013 8:29 pm

Offense, Defense and Special teams ALL PLAYED GREAT!!

Finally the uptempo returns with some results. Foles is off the hook, with a 158.3 QB rating and ties the NFL record for TD’s throw in one game. The ball was spread around, the running game looked improved from the past couple weeks, we got the TE’s involved.

The defensive scheme was strong. Pryor creates difficulties when you apply pressure, but with Khendricks as a spy, we did a decent job of keeping them out of the end zone. The Dbackfield did a good job also.

Special teams did a good job, except for the roughing the punter. Good field position, no long returns.

Good teams are consistent. We need to become consistent if we are going to start becoming a good team. Kelly has shown that the past few weeks had not caused him to cave. He has dealt with the pressure and came out strong.

GO BIRDS!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 8:56 pm

DCAR are you angry that the people you say blow are playing well? I do want to say it to your pathetic faggot face… Corner of your momma sucks cock and you take it up the ass? I will be there

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 9:22 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Talk about my dead Mother, you POS Faggot! Name the place coward! I guarantee I’ll beat you to an inch of your life! You don’t have the manhood! You just showed your true colors!

mhenski
mhenski
November 3, 2013 9:09 pm

Foles 3 starts 2 NFC player of the weeks woot

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 3, 2013 9:10 pm

DCAR hilarious get proven WRONG and pout I love it

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 9:22 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Proven wrong? Pouting? RIIIIIIIGHT!

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 9:53 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Hey cigar just playing devils advocate here, if GB blows the doors off this defense next week does that mean that DCar is right? I mean we won the D is playing better I think they suck as well but right now they are playing well. Both of you guys bring good stuff to the table but let it go, I mean Jake makes me what to kick that ass but let it go fellas. We got a good win today.

DCar
DCar
November 3, 2013 10:06 pm
Reply to  Biglion821

Big, irrational, hypocritical POS like him, can’t let things go. He’s a coward. A punk, & a delusional nut job. This $#!t has been going on for 2+ years now, with him & I, ever since he couldn’t take the truth about his girlfriend Ruin 2morrow. When he gets proven wrong, he spews immature digs, & stupid comments, to get my ire going. Nothing new. He trolls on here all of time, correcting, everyone like he’s a school teacher, & if nobody agrees with his tainted side of things, they are bad fans, not real fans, or whatever. F^#@ that assclown! Then he comments on my dead Mother. I’d beat his pussy ass, anytime, if he didn’t hide behind the computer.

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 3, 2013 10:27 pm
Reply to  DCar

Yes I saw that which is the reason I commented you cannot go lower then talking about someone’s mother so I understand your anger.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 4, 2013 7:05 am
Reply to  Biglion821

lion they may have a stinker of a game in them…they are growing together and getting better… the personnel that the internet gm’s have all blasted has done a pretty damn good job. going to green bay and getting hammered is a real possibility but it doesn’t diminish the great progress they have made as a defense.

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 4, 2013 8:16 am
Reply to  haveacigar

I will admit Cigar they are playing much better then I thought they would and as a fan if they get lit up by GB so what Aaron Rodgers has put up gaudy numbers for a reason. Let’s enjoy this one and see if we can catch a not that good Dallas team.

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
November 3, 2013 9:21 pm

A big win today, and every win is an important one regardless of who they’re playing. Congrats to Nick Foles on a career day. But let me say this. I judge this defense by the quality of QB they face. So the true test will come next Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and that potent offense that is really starting to gel. I loved the way the defense played today but Terrelle Pryor is no Aaron Rodgers. We’ll be facing arguably the best QB in the NFL next Sunday in their stadium in Green Bay. So let’s enjoy this win, but know that this defense still has a lot of work ahead of them and will truly be tested next week..

paulman
paulman
November 3, 2013 11:17 pm

Great Game and Lights out Performance by QB Foles
Wow is all I can say and glad to see a huge bounce back effort buly him and the entire Team.. Loved the play call of atracking the Raiders down the middle with the TE’s and Cooper early on.. The a raiders never saw utmr coming and Eagkes kept the pedal to metal..
Enjoy it, got the Starters out in the 4th Quartrer in order to not take needless hits and injuries which was a smart move by Coach Kelly
Go Eagłes..

gmcliff
gmcliff
November 4, 2013 6:02 am
Reply to  paulman

Nick Foles – The Future

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
November 4, 2013 6:55 am

Nick Foles threw 2 INTs in his first NFL start. Since then, he has 18 TD passes and 2 INTs.

That’s pretty good.