The New England Patriots are coming off a huge divisional loss and will be looking to take it out on the Oakland Raiders this Sunday.
Tom Brady threw an uncharacteristic four interceptions, his total for all of last season, against the Buffalo Bills secondary, and the team blew a 21-0 lead, eventually falling 34-31 in Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Oakland is coming off a huge underdog win at home against the New York Jets last week and will have to find that magic again if they want a chance to upset for the second week in a row.
Darren McFadden is looking like the best running back in football right now and has been absolutely lighting it up on the ground. He is going to be the biggest factor in any chance the Raiders have against the Patriots.
Keep reading to find out more about this exciting Week 4 NFL matchup.
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
When: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4:15 p.m. EDT
Watch: CBS. DirecTV 716
Listen: Patriots: 98.5 The Sports Hub, Sirius 86. Raiders: KITS 105.3 (LIVE 105), Sirius 113
Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)
Betting Line: Patriots -4
What's at Stake?
The Raiders want nothing more than to show the league that they are for real. They went 6-0 in their own division last season, but won only two other games. Coming off a win against the New York Jets could be cause for a letdown.
If Oakland wants to be taken seriously, they'll have to at least show up and compete in this game.
The Patriots, on the other hand, want to reassert their dominance to the AFC. They also cannot afford to lose another conference game. Oakland will come with some fight and tenacity, and the Patriots will look to beat that confidence out of them early with quick-strike scores.
If New England gets a big early lead, it will be difficult for the Raiders to come back.
Patriots' Injury Report
Aaron Hernandez, TE
Hernandez did not practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday. He is hoping to play, but his sprained MCL may keep him sidelined.
Patrick Chung, S
Chung practiced in the days leading up to the Bills game but ended up sitting out. The team desperately missed one of the only solid safeties on the roster out on the field that day.
Raiders' Injury Report
Michael Huff, S
Huff went down early in the game against the Jets last week with a concussion. Sanchez threw for a career high in his absence, as Matt Giordano, the backup, is just plain terrible.
Jacoby Ford, WR
Ford missed Weeks 2 and 3 after straining a hammy in the opening game. He should be back this week to add much-needed depth to an inexperienced receiving corps.
What They're Saying
Karen Guregian with The Boston Herald had a chance to catch up with Deion Branch after his very unproductive game against the Bills in which he did not record a single catch.
I just think overall, with the outcome of the game, had we won and not been on the loss side, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Me personally, I want to make sure I do a whole lot more to contribute to the game.
Look for Branch to rebound strongly and have a stat line consistent with his first two games of the season.
Vittorio Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle talked about coach Hue Jackson’s commitment to blocking:
If you don't have a ball on this football team, you're a blocker. We talk about it all the time. Whether it's a quarterback or anyone else. We gotta play for each other.
This new mentality on blocking has been clearing working as the team is first in the NFL in rushing yards.
Patriots' Player To Watch: Vince Wilfork, DT
The Raiders are going to come out and try to run the football. The more time they take off the clock, the less time Tom Brady stays on the field.
Vince Wilford anchors the Patriots defensive line, and it will be key for him and the rest of the D-line to get a push into Oakland's backfield.
Raiders' Player To Watch: Jason Campbell, QB
If/when the Raiders fall behind, it will be on Jason Campbell to get them back in the game. New England has been very suspect is coverage so far this season, and they have given up a ton of yards.
How Campbell handles things early in this game will be key to the Raiders' success.
Key Matchup: Raiders O-Line vs. Patriots D-Line
The Raiders need to run the football to be successful. This matchup will change the whole dynamic of the game if Oakland can limit the amount of time Tom Brady stays on the field.
Also, the more time they give Jason Campbell in the pocket, the more likely he is to find open targets.
New England's secondary has been a problem this year, and Denarius Moore will be a problem for them to cover if he continues to play the way he has been playing.
Everything starts in the trenches with this game, and the only way Oakland has a chance is if they control it.
On the Hot Seat: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland
The Raiders have a number of talented, young wide receivers. Unfortunately, DHB isn't one of them right now.
The former No. 7 pick is still going to get his opportunities, but Denarius Moore is making the most of his chances, Jacoby Ford will be back soon, and Derek Hagan is actually a reliable target the Raiders are going to need before the season is over.
The Patriots secondary is a problem for them, and DHB needs to show up in some way, shape or form for this game.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Raiders 20
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