Wake up people! I know these last 10 or so days have been a busy time. We've been hit with a triple whammy with the Election, Halloween, and the Panthers bye week all at once without so much as a warning. I know you've all been busy fighting for your rights and screaming at people who are on the wrong side. I know you all want to take a break and relax a little bit. But it's time for you guys to get off your rear end and gather around the common interest known as football. The Panthers need you to support them this Sunday! Are you going to let them down? Are you going to let them go fanless this week?
That's what I thought.
The Panthers head to Raider Nation on Sunday, a game that the Panthers are expected to win by a huge margin. The Raiders are 2-6 this year, and Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is coming off one of the worst games of his young career. The Raiders boast the worst offense in the league, managing just 13.4 points a game. Typically if you stop the Raiders rushing game, you can stop their team from doing anything.
A lot is going on in Raider Nation right now. The Raiders got shut out against the Atlanta Falcons, and Al Davis is making what looks like an irritation move in releasing DeAngelo Hall. During the game, he lost his defender multiple times and only managed to defend against one pass. It appears Al Davis that he didn't believe that he was worth the money, so after burning a 2nd and a 5th round on him this last off-season DeAngelo Hall is making a big splash into Free Agency this week. There are many teams that could use him, teams such as the New England Patriots, the Chargers, and the Cincinnati Bengals who are struggling on defense. Hall will be replaced by Stanfort Routt, whom will likely go up against Muhsin Muhammad this Sunday.
The offensive linemen all make their return this week, clearing the injury report of everyone except for Jonathan Stewart, whom didn't practice on Wednesday because of a heel injury. The injury was told to be precautionary by fellow running back DiAngello Williams, but all the same if he doesn't practice on Thursday then I think it will be time to worry about his availability for Sunday. Otherwise, everyone is returning! ((Yes, even Jerry Richardson who got out of the hospital today.))
The Panthers should be able to do whatever they want to the Raiders. I expect Moose to have a huge game against a backup corner. He should be able to get over 100 yards and might even snag a TD or two. Be sure to start him if you have him on your fantasy roster. Our running backs shall have a big game as well against a 30th ranked rush defense, going for over 100 yards between the both of them and another couple of TD's. On defense, stop the damn run. That's all the Raiders are consistent at on offense, so if you stop them from doing that then you'll stop them from scoring.
I look forward to this game. I expect nothing less than a blowout, especially if Jon Beason has anything to say about their running game.