Post by MasterSandman II on Aug 25, 2010 15:57:03 GMT -5
New quarterback Jason Campbell directing traffic.
The Lag Bowl
Raiders win 35-14
It was the rematch between the two teams that faced off in the AFC Championsip just last season. Oakland ended up winning that game 28-21 to move on to the Super Bowl. This game was different though. The new look Raiders started the WiiMFL season looking to defend that championship in a convincing fashion. The chip on their shoulders is huge!
New quarterback Jason Campbell finished the game with 12 completions on 17 attempts, 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. Is he the spark this Raider offense needs? The Raiders have never had a reliable and consistent quarterback in the WiiMFL. They've been through a lot! Daunte Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye. Gradkowski did lead Oakland to a Super Bowl victory but most of that pressure was on Darren McFadden. Look for McFadden to excel this season with less pressure on his shoulders.
Jason Campbell has always had a tendency to favor his tight ends and it was no different in this game. Zach Miller was awesome with 5 receptions, 87 yards and a touchdown. The Raider receivers will need to step it up a little bit so Campbell has more options throughout the season. Dropped balls could cost Oakland some games this season.
As for the defense...it seemed to be a bend but not break philosophy here. Pittsburgh did get 233 yards of offense (22 less than Oakland) but only managed two touchdowns. Big money player Tommy Kelly on the defensive line didn't do much...he'll have to step up if Oakland wants to do well in the playoffs again.
All sorts of controversy surrounded this game as the game was slow, sloppy, and choppy. It was said that the Steelers came down with the flu AND tried to spread it to the Raider locker room. Some guys suffered but the wrong guys. Pittsburgh would have won if the bug hit Jason Campbell. The Steelers are dangerous if healthy.
"I'm just happy we kicked things off with a win. BOOM! Ever since we beat Kansas City 35-7 for the last game of the regular season last year, we've been plowing teams," coach Madden said after the game.
A very brave reporter then piped up. "There's been talk about you sabotaging other teams in this league. I mean...everyone is still asking you for advice even since you became the coach of the Raiders."
"Sabotage? Nah. I tell them what to do but if they can't execute, it's just not going to work. Yes, some teams are dumb enough to call a punt return on a first down but that's not my problem," Madden responded.
Oakland is staring straight at a team they haven't lost to for years in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has been close a few times but hasn't been able to pull it off. It'll be an interesting match-up.
travisleecurrah