The two professional football teams in the bay area - Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers are poised to make the playoffs for the first time in a while. Both teams have recovered from having absolutely horrible seasons and both have new head coaches.
For the 49ers (9-2) signing Jim Harbaugh as head coach was one of the best moves that they have done. Harbaugh was the perfect fit for a 49ers team that has one of the best running backs in all of the NFL, Frank Gore. This coming Sunday, the 49ers can clinch, guarantee themselves, a playoff berth - 4 weeks before the season ends. While the 49ers wins haven't been flashy or pretty by any means, the niners know how to win games. Alex Smith, quarterback, is finally managing the game like a professional and that's largely due to Harbaugh's coaching style.
On the other side of the bay, the Oakland Raiders (7-4) are also having one of their most successful seasons in a long time. This season has been interesting for the Raiders to say the least. The Raiders began the season 4-2 and were beginning to look like a legitimate team. However in the seventh game of the season, quarterback Jason Campbell broke his colloarbone, thus preventing him from playing again for the entire season. The Raiders then immediately signed Carson Palmer, and it appeared that all was lost. In his first action with the Raiders, he threw three interceptions - in one half. In his next game, he lost to a Denver Bronco team once again throwing three interceptions. However, after time to gel with the team, Palmer has found his swagger and has led the Raiders to three consecutive wins and first place in the AFC West.
While the Raiders are currently playing well, their path to the playoffs will be much more difficult than that of the 49ers. The Raiders currently lead their division by one game over the very hot Denver Broncos. The Broncos play two more tough games and will probably finish the season 9-8. The Raiders, on the otherhand, will end the season against two playoff teams, Kansas City team that beat the Raiders, and a talented but underachieving San Diego squad. Despite having a much more difficult finishing schedule than the Broncos, I think the Raiders can win two of their final four games and will finish the season 10-6. If they finish 10-6, the Raiders will earn a playoff spot and will likely face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, or the Cincinati Bengals. If they get the Steelers or Broncos, the Raiders will have a difficult time winning, but if they get the Bengals, they have a higher chance to win. This is because the Bengals have a young quarterback, and Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer last played for the Bengals and was furious with the way they treated him. Expect Palmer to play with extra fire.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Keys to the Game: Stanford vs Oregon
Saturday, two of the nations top teams, the Stanford Cardinal and Oregon Ducks, will face off in Palo Alto, CA.
Stanford, ranked number 4 in the nation, will have to rely on Heisman candidate quarterback Andrew Luck to overcome the speedy Oregon squad, ranked number 7 in the nation.
Oregon's speed will pose a major challenge to the Stanford team on defense. The only way to defeat this high-flying Ducks team is to contain the running game which features LaMichael James and DeAnthony Thomas. If Stanford provides any gap or lane to run through, expect James or Thomas to be long gone, leaving Stanford defenders in their dust as they race to the end zone. How can the Oregon running game be contained? The answer is with linebackers. The Stanford linebackers need to be sharp and aware of where the Oregon running backs are trying to squeeze through. When the linebackers realize where the running lane is, they have to run to the lane and make sure to hit the running back. And by hit, I mean tackle him and bring them to the ground, which is no easy task. If James or Thomas isn't brought down, then just go Youtube "LaMichael James highlights". You'll see what that guy can do.
In addition, Stanford needs to be prepared for Oregon's no huddle offense. By running a no huddle offense, Oregon wastes no time between plays which makes it virtually impossible for a defense to make the necessary substitutes, call a play, change the play, and be in position. If Stanford cannot keep up with Oregon's pace, the Ducks will score every time they get the ball.
On offense, Stanford has to establish their own running game. Unlike Oregon, Stanford's running game is less about flash and outrunning the opponent. Stanford prefers to run right into the heart of the defense and completely overpower the defense. If the Cardinals gain decent yardage on the ground, future NFL quarterback Andrew Luck will have a much easier time passing the ball. Having a successful running game forces the defense to bring more players to stop the run. When this happens, Stanford can simply fake a run, confuse the defense, and complete a pass for potentially a big gain. If Stanford doesn't establish their running game, then Oregon can comfortably wait in pass coverage and make life miserable for Luck.
Prediction:
As much as my heart tells me to that Andrew Luck will make the Cardinals "Lucky" and beat the Ducks, my brain tells me otherwise. Look for Oregon to be too fast for Stanford and win 35-20.
Stanford, ranked number 4 in the nation, will have to rely on Heisman candidate quarterback Andrew Luck to overcome the speedy Oregon squad, ranked number 7 in the nation.
Oregon's speed will pose a major challenge to the Stanford team on defense. The only way to defeat this high-flying Ducks team is to contain the running game which features LaMichael James and DeAnthony Thomas. If Stanford provides any gap or lane to run through, expect James or Thomas to be long gone, leaving Stanford defenders in their dust as they race to the end zone. How can the Oregon running game be contained? The answer is with linebackers. The Stanford linebackers need to be sharp and aware of where the Oregon running backs are trying to squeeze through. When the linebackers realize where the running lane is, they have to run to the lane and make sure to hit the running back. And by hit, I mean tackle him and bring them to the ground, which is no easy task. If James or Thomas isn't brought down, then just go Youtube "LaMichael James highlights". You'll see what that guy can do.
In addition, Stanford needs to be prepared for Oregon's no huddle offense. By running a no huddle offense, Oregon wastes no time between plays which makes it virtually impossible for a defense to make the necessary substitutes, call a play, change the play, and be in position. If Stanford cannot keep up with Oregon's pace, the Ducks will score every time they get the ball.
On offense, Stanford has to establish their own running game. Unlike Oregon, Stanford's running game is less about flash and outrunning the opponent. Stanford prefers to run right into the heart of the defense and completely overpower the defense. If the Cardinals gain decent yardage on the ground, future NFL quarterback Andrew Luck will have a much easier time passing the ball. Having a successful running game forces the defense to bring more players to stop the run. When this happens, Stanford can simply fake a run, confuse the defense, and complete a pass for potentially a big gain. If Stanford doesn't establish their running game, then Oregon can comfortably wait in pass coverage and make life miserable for Luck.
Prediction:
As much as my heart tells me to that Andrew Luck will make the Cardinals "Lucky" and beat the Ducks, my brain tells me otherwise. Look for Oregon to be too fast for Stanford and win 35-20.
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