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For all of the gamesmanship and deceitful practices that Hue Jackson used this week to "confuse or discombulate" the Kansas City Chiefs, for all intents and purposes none of them worked. Not on iota, or even a smidgen of a bit.Not one thing worked out for the Raiders yesterday when they were beaten soundly 28-0 at home and in front of another sellout crowd.
Jackson said after the game that his not naming a quarterback earlier in the week was just some "gamesmanship", and he knew all along it would be Boller starting. Things just didn't go well for the home team right from the beginning. It was early in the first quarter, the Chiefs had gone up 7-0 and were ready for more after another INT. from Boller. At this point Boller was a perfect 3-3 passing with one TD, the only hitch was that only one of those went to his team, and it wasn't the one for a touch. Shortly after that, only a short dump off play to running back Darren McFadden, he injured his foot somehow on the tackle and he was only seen on the sideline for the rest of the day.
Boller tried again in the second half, but after a quick three and out, Jackson turned to Palmer told him to get ready. Palmer had no intentions of playing yesterday, he was ready to get a feel for things from the sidelines, and take some "mental reps". Obviously underprepared to play after spending "the last 6 months on my couch", Palmer did his best Boller impersonation, and on a 3 step drop, dropped it into the waiting hands of Brandon Flowers for another INT. return for TD. Palmer and Boller combined for six interceptions on the day, three each.
The offense gave up half the Chiefs' points, and set them up in good field position all day long. The Raider defense held up well enough, and actually did a pretty good job considering the circumstances. They held Kansas City to only 161 passing yards, and 139 rushing yards on 39 carries for an average of 3.6 yards per carry. If the defense can continue their good play, and wait for the offense to catch up, they could have something here by year end.
The ground game was good, but not good enough to make up for the quarterbacking they received. Michael Bush stepped up and was good for 99 yards on only 17 carries, and when Palmer wasn't throwing it to the Chiefs, he actually made a few good plays. You can tell that he has better accuracy than Jason Campbell already as you saw him fit the ball into a couple of tight spots in zone coverage. Darrius Heyward-Bey still isn't leaving the party, as he was the only receiver of note and he finished with 5 receptions for 89 yards.
Now they have the next two weeks off, and that comes at the perfect time for the Raiders. Not only do they have time to get Carson acclimated to the system, but they have time to get some players healed up and ready to roll against Denver after the break. Rolando McClain didn't finish the game with an ankle problem that keep him out of practice most of the week.McFaddenstayed in uniform all day, and that could be a good sign for his status. Time will tell, but these Raiders have only two ways to go, continue moving forward towards the division and playoffs, or completely fall off the face of the earth. I'll be watching either way, that's for sure.
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