YOUR Ego-Edge for Oakland/NY Jets
64 % winners in the NFL the past five weeks
Of my five selections on Sunday, this is the only one of those that qualifies as a "public darling", and for good reason.
At this point of another lost year for the Raiders, it was time to remove Kerry Collins and see what Marques Tuiasosopo can do. While not having the big arm that Collins posseses, he does have one edge and that's his mobility. Look for him to make some plays with his legs, even if he doesn't have a big passing day.
The game plan also gets tweaked a bit, and Norv Turner goes back to what can make this Raiders offense more effective, getting LaMont Jordan involved not only on the ground, but catching passes out of the backfield. I am looking for him to have a HUGE day against his former team and their poor rush D. I don't expect the Raiders to have to play from behind, so no reason to abandon the run. Jordan may also help open up some opportunities for Tuiasosopo downfield
On the other side of the ball, Curtis Martin is now downgraded to questionable and is a game-time decision (even if he can go, he will be limited). If he can't, rookie Cedric Houston will ge the nod. The Jets simply don't have the weapons to take advantage of Oakland's poor D that gives up 30 points with regularity. They'll have to string together some long drives, and they've proven to be unable to do so. They don't convert third downs, and they always seem to shoot themselves in the foot.
This is a rare game where Norv Turner has the coaching advantage over "master" motivator Herm Edwards. At least Edwards is entertaining with his post-game news conference babble. This young, injury depleted team isn't buying it and neither am I.
Oakland -3 (2 units)
