SportsNation Blog ArchivesSN Blog Archives Oakland Raiders

video

Philip Rivers and the Chargers are still in the AFC West race after the quarterback's big night in a 38-14 win against the Jaguars on Monday, but they have a lot of ground to make up on the Broncos and Raiders. Does Rivers also have ground to make up in the race for top quarterback honors in the division? Rank 'Em: NFL Power Rankings


Which quarterback rules division?

Rivers has the history but only an 84.9 QB rating this season. Tim Tebow's rating is only 87.9, but he has that 6-1 record as a starter.

SportsNation

Who is the best quarterback in the AFC West?

  •  
    2%
  •  
    13%
  •  
    45%
  •  
    40%

Discuss (Total votes: 50,188)


Which road ahead is toughest?

The Broncos and Raiders are 7-5, while the Chargers and Chiefs are 5-7. But does the schedule bode ill for one of the chasers?

SportsNation

Which team has the most difficult remaining schedule?

  •  
    12%
  •  
    32%
  •  
    11%
  •  
    45%

Discuss (Total votes: 7,795)

Comment »

video

Not everyone expected the Chargers to win the AFC West this season. No, it was a mere 81 percent of SportsNation voters who picked them to win the division, a consensus topped only by those picking the Packers in the NFC North. But while the Packers are doing just fine, the Chargers are tied with the Chiefs and Raiders after finding a new way to lose Monday's game against those Chiefs. Rank 'Em: Your NFL Power Rankings?


More about the win or the loss?

The Chiefs are in select company in NFL history in winning four in a row after an 0-3 start, but is Philip Rivers giving away a win for the slumping Chargers a bigger story?

SportsNation

What's the bigger story coming out of Monday's game?

  •  
    35%
  •  
    65%

Discuss (Total votes: 44,111)


Overrated or underperforming?

It's not much of a surprise to find Philip Rivers leading the NFL in a passing category, but it's a little surprising that it's interceptions. Is he being exposed?

SportsNation

What's your take on Philip Rivers? (7 TD, 11 INT, 80.7 rating)

  •  
    26%
  •  
    69%
  •  
    5%

Discuss (Total votes: 54,735)


How good are the Chiefs?

Most expected the Jets and Chargers to be playoff contenders this season, but they aren't alone at 4-3 in the AFC. Are the Chiefs the surprise with the most staying power?

SportsNation

Which 4-3 AFC team has the best chance to win a division?

  •  
    41%
  •  
    43%
  •  
    16%

Discuss (Total votes: 5,407)


Worse level of losing?

Week 8 offered a full array of painful losses, but is spending three hours watching your team get smacked around worse than watching Philip Rivers botch a snap to deny a win?

SportsNation

What's a more painful losing experience as a fan?

  •  
    38%
  •  
    62%

Discuss (Total votes: 19,598)

Comment »

video

Remember when Carson Palmer used to play for the Bengals? Before the pseudo-holdout and the emergence of Andy Dalton, Palmer was actually a pretty good quarterback at times in Cincinnati. Could he be a pretty good QB in Oakland? The Bengals reportedly are on the verge of trading him to the Raiders for a first-round pick in 2012 and a conditional first-round pick in 2013. That sounds like a pretty good haul for a guy who wasn't even playing for the Bengals, don't you think? Or are the Raiders finally getting a potential franchise quarterback out of a bad situation?

More: Would you start Jason Campbell over Palmer if both are healthy?


Are the Raiders overpaying?

In most years, a first-round pick from the Raiders could be an amazing haul. This year, it might result in a pick very late in the round.

SportsNation

What do you make of the reported asking price the Bengals want for Carson Palmer? (Raiders' 2012 and 2013 first round picks)

  •  
    70%
  •  
    23%
  •  
    7%

Discuss (Total votes: 16,535)

Comment »

The good news for Aaron Curry? Being drafted by the Seahawks guaranteed he would never be the most famous linebacker bust in the history of a franchise that selected Brian Bosworth (left).

But Curry gave it a shot. The fourth overall pick in 2009, Curry is headed to the Raiders for a seventh-round pick that could become a fourth-round pick based on playing time.

Did the Seahawks bail too soon on Curry?


How soon is too soon?

49ers quarterback Alex Smith is offering a lesson on the value of patience so far this season, but was it reasonable for the Seahawks to move on from Aaron Curry after two-plus seasons?

SportsNation

How soon is it reasonable to give up on a top-five pick for non-injury reasons?

  •  
    6%
  •  
    23%
  •  
    51%
  •  
    20%

Discuss (Total votes: 4,761)


Will a change of scenery help?

The Raiders are no strangers to reclamation projects, but is Curry the kind of talent who can make the most of a second opportunity?

SportsNation

Will Aaron Curry ever be a significant contributor for the Raiders?

  •  
    64%
  •  
    36%

Discuss (Total votes: 4,786)


Was a better ex-Seahawks LB out there?

Not all picks flop for the Seahawks. Lofa Tatupu was a second-round steal in 2005, but after making 88 tackles last season, he's still looking for work.

SportsNation

Which linebacker would you rather acquire?

  •  
    33%
  •  
    67%

Discuss (Total votes: 4,798)


Aaron Curry or Brian Bosworth?

Curry was the higher pick coming out of Wake Forest, but did the combination of first-round investment and public persona make Bosworth a bigger bust coming out of Oklahoma?

SportsNation

Which first-round pick was a bigger bust for the Seahawks?

  •  
    33%
  •  
    67%

Discuss (Total votes: 4,339)

Comment »

The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.


Best game?

There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.

SportsNation

Which of these Week 1 NFL games interests you most?

  •  
    9%
  •  
    15%
  •  
    5%
  •  
    40%
  •  
    31%

Discuss (Total votes: 37,022)


Colts without Manning?

Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.

SportsNation

Which team will win the AFC South?

  •  
    26%
  •  
    3%
  •  
    63%
  •  
    7%

Discuss (Total votes: 86,647)

Comment »

video

When Terrelle Pryor posted a 4.36 40-yard dash time at his supplemental draft workout over the weekend, it was a fashionable joke to say he might as well have been running toward Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Known for drafting speedy players, the Raiders lived up to their reputation by taking the former Ohio State quarterback with a third-round pick. With an already crowded quarterback depth chart, will the Raiders turn Pryor into a developmental project at another position? What do you make of the sliver and black's obsession with the fleet of foot?


Worth the investment?

The Oakland Raiders are now without a second-, third- or fourth-round pick in next year's draft. Was Pryor, who many view as a developmental project, worth the risk?

SportsNation

Was taking Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft worth losing a third-round pick in next year's NFL draft for the Raiders?

  •  
    47%
  •  
    53%

Discuss (Total votes: 26,232)


Quarterback controversy?

The Raiders don't have the league's best quarterback situation, but it certainly isn't the worst (cough, Dolphins?). Is current starter Jason Campbell in danger of losing his job?

SportsNation

Who is the best quarterback on the Raiders' roster?

  •  
    63%
  •  
    14%
  •  
    6%
  •  
    17%

Discuss (Total votes: 20,813)


Position change?

If it's Pryor's speed that has the Raiders so enamored, would it be in their best interest to move him to wide receiver, where a 40-yard dash could actually be employed on the field?

SportsNation

What do you expect the Raiders to do with Terrelle Pryor?

  •  
    53%
  •  
    32%
  •  
    14%

Discuss (Total votes: 20,521)


A need for speed?

The Raiders have drafted the three players with the fastest 40-yard dash times at the past three NFL combines, including Darrius Heyward-Bey (4.3 seconds) in 2009.

SportsNation

What do you make of the Oakland Raiders' penchant for drafting players with impressive 40-yard dash times?

  •  
    13%
  •  
    41%
  •  
    46%

Discuss (Total votes: 87,946)

Comment »


AFC East

The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?

SportsNation

Which team will win the AFC East?

  •  
    2%
  •  
    4%
  •  
    21%
  •  
    73%

Discuss (Total votes: 39,431)


AFC North

The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

SportsNation

Which team will win the AFC North?

  •  
    2%
  •  
    5%
  •  
    39%
  •  
    54%

Discuss (Total votes: 39,984)


AFC South

Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?

SportsNation

Which team will win the AFC South?

  •  
    58%
  •  
    4%
  •  
    34%
  •  
    4%

Discuss (Total votes: 39,737)


AFC West

There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?

SportsNation

Which team will win the AFC West?

  •  
    8%
  •  
    61%
  •  
    23%
  •  
    8%

Discuss (Total votes: 39,957)


NFC East

The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?

SportsNation

Which team will win the NFC East?

  •  
    12%
  •  
    74%
  •  
    9%
  •  
    5%

Discuss (Total votes: 90,960)


NFC North

Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?

SportsNation

Which team will win the NFC North?

  •  
    9%
  •  
    12%
  •  
    73%
  •  
    6%

Discuss (Total votes: 42,384)


NFC South

The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?

SportsNation

Which team will win the NFC South?

  •  
    14%
  •  
    49%
  •  
    4%
  •  
    33%

Discuss (Total votes: 48,033)


NFC West

Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?

SportsNation

Which team will win the NFC West?

  •  
    14%
  •  
    30%
  •  
    39%
  •  
    17%

Discuss (Total votes: 41,706)

Comment »

We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.

Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)

Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)

Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)

Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)

Comment »

The AFC West saw the usual power structure inverted somewhat, as the Chiefs finally broke through the Chargers' usual strangehold on the division. San Diego missed the playoffs after a late charge, and the Raiders and Broncos failed to make a real impact. What grade would you give each team in the AFC West? Cast your vote now!


AFC Grades: East | North | South | NFC Grades: East | North | South | West



Denver Broncos

Josh McDaniels may have been fired, but at least one of his decisions could pay off, as Tim Tebow looks to be the Broncos' starter from now on.

SportsNation

null

Discuss (Total votes: 0)


Oakland Raiders

The Raiders showed some signs of improvement this year, but it wasn't enough for the team to bring back former coach Tom Cable for next season.

SportsNation

null

Discuss (Total votes: 0)


San Diego Chargers

The Chargers tend to be slow starters, but a 3-5 record at midseason proved too much for them to overcome this time around.

SportsNation

null

Discuss (Total votes: 0)


Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs actually had the second-worst division record in the AFC West, but they were nearly unbeatable at home and led the league in rushing yards.

SportsNation

null

Discuss (Total votes: 0)

Comment »

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for Colts at Patriots

Joe Marshall (Saint Louis)

Mort, is it just me or has the Colts offense just looked different lately? I know they are injury plagued but it just seems like in the last few weeks they have turned into a dink and dunk offense without a lot of downfield attempts. Have you noticed this trend and could you help explain it? Thanks.

Chris Mortensen
Chris Mortensen

Joe, there's not a lot of explaining to do. The injuries are real. Even with some of the guys who are playing on offense, a lot of them miss practice time and practice does indeed count. The other problem this past week is bringing guys up from the practice squad. The Colts don't provide a lot of those practice players with all their "codes" because those players can be signed at any time by another club. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for Raiders at Steelers

Josh (Atlanta)

I think the game in Pittsburgh is huge this Sunday. A win would be great in terms of a 4 game win streak and momentum, but it would also get the 5 win monkey off their back that they've been carrying for 7yrs. Your thoughts?

AFC West blogger Bill Williamson
Bill Williamson

Prediciton: If the Raiders win Sunday, they are going to the playoffs. It's that simple. If they lose, they can still make it, but if Oakland beats Pittsburgh, it will be rolling. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for Giants at Eagles

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Anyone looking forward to playing the Eagles the rest of the year? How do you think the NYG game shakes out?

Scout's Inc.'s Matt Williamson
Matt Williamson

Philly is on fire right now. I like the Eagles over NYG, but they aren't going to steam roll them like they did Wash. NYG isn't a joke and if that DL comes to play (not like last week), they will be very tough to move the ball on. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for Packers at Vikings

Cody (NE)

So how loud are the FIRE CHILDRESS chants going to be at the Vikings' house Sunday?

Kevin Seifert
Kevin

It was pretty muted two weeks ago at the Cardinals game. Guessing that fans have Childress fatigue. Also guessing there will be even more Packers fans in attendance than normal. They LOVE Childress. Full transcript

Comment »