SportsNation Blog Archives
Oakland Raiders
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
- "What's the best finish you SD fans can honestly envision on these last four? How does the battered SD O-line get ready for Baltimore? Detroit? Can SD even make the finale in Oakland anything more than a spoiler game?" -- SN commenter MC3DPCS
- "Tebow stinks. I mean, he's only won five in a row (first time since Elway played in Denver). The guy is a winner, period. I'm a Falcons fan and would take Tebow as our QB in a second. " -- SN commenter alyssafaithbaer
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.
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?
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?
- "Right now it looks like KC's division. You have SD with their turnovers, sloppy play and horrible O-Line. The only real thing going for us at this point is our defense. Oakland has a very talented team but are facing a crucial moment." -- SN commenter RavensSuperbowl44
- "Rivers should team up with LeBron James and play baseball with the Texas Rangers, who have honed the fine art of choking." -- SN commenter GeoF1348
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
- "Really surprised. He was considered a really 'safe' pick coming out of Wake because he was so mentally in tune to the game and scouts loved his instincts. Crazy how fast perceptions change in the NFL. Sometimes I think teams make judgments way too fast and miss opportunities to develop talent due to such an overemphasis on 'Win now.'" -- SN commenter presslay
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
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.
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.
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?
- "Al Davis just picks up fast players, he doesn't even care how good people are." -- SN commenter manbearpig8694
- "TP was one of the best players in college football last year and ran a 4.36 at his pro day. Well worth a third round pick even if he never plays at qb. Enough athleticism to risk the pick. " -- SN commenter noamnation1
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Vote: Week 11 Pick 'Em | Start 'Em or Sit 'Em
- Rank: NFL Power Rankings | Quarterback rankings | MVP rankings
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for Colts at Patriots
- Which quarterback ranks higher?
- Is Tom Brady haunted by a failed fourth-down conversion?
- Vote on those and other questions about the Colts at the 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
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
- Are the Raiders contenders or pretenders?
- Will the Steelers make the playoffs?
- Vote on those and other questions about the 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
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
- Which team will have more rushing yards?
- Would you rather have Tom Coughlin or Andy Reid?
- Vote on those and other questions about the Eagles at the Redskins!
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
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
- Is this the last time Brett Favre will play the Vikings?
- Does Brad Childress need to win to keep his job?
- Vote on those and other questions about the Packers at the Vikings!
Cody (NE)
So how loud are the FIRE CHILDRESS chants going to be at the Vikings' house Sunday?
Kevin Seifert
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
FOLLOW SPORTSNATION ON TWITTER
