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Thursday, September 30 War Room: Raiders at Seahawks The War Room Oakland offense vs. Seattle defense
Last week, Wheatley didn't receive many carries until the fourth quarter, because the Raiders wanted to get Napoleon Kaufman untracked. Kaufman has been close to breaking some big runs the past couple of weeks, but his darting style will not pose many problems against the Seahawks' athletic front seven. Whatever Gruden has done to light a fire under Wheatley is definitely working. Wheatley, who leads the team with 41 carries for 176 yards, might have a tougher time running inside against the Seahawks than he has in the first three games. Seattle's inside duo of Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams are playing stronger than any pair of tackles in the league. Kennedy, who already has 20 tackles and 2½ sacks through three games, is far ahead of last year's pace (42 tackles, 2 sacks) and will give the Raiders' interior trio of LOG Steve Wisnewski, OC Barrett Robbins, and ROG Gennero KiNapoli fits. One key for Seattle DEs and OLBs will be containing QB Rich Gannon, who has rushed 10 times for 95 yards the past two weeks. If the tackles can collapse the pocket, it will be up to DEs Michael Sinclair and Phillip Daniels to prevent Gannon from beating them with his feet. The Raiders are having a very difficult time protecting Gannon, so look for offensive coordinator Bill Callahan to call a lot of three- and five-step drop sequences. Gannon was sacked four times Sunday by the Bears, and his mobility saved him from a couple of others. If Seattle can get consistent pressure on Gannon and prevent him taking deep drops, it will eliminate the deep threat of WR James Jett in the passing game. After being held silent in the opener, Oakland has worked the tight end into the game plan the past two weeks (nine receptions, 138 yards and one touchdown). Ricky Dudley and surprising Jeremy Brigham, an excellent downfield blocking tandem in the run game, pose big matchup problems for Seattle, because both can stretch the field with their speed. Seattle will likely cover Dudley with SS Darryl Williams, which leaves Brigham matched up on either LB Darrin Smith or nickel back Merton Hanks, who returned an interception for a touchdown last week. Smith will likely draw the assignment, because Hanks isn't physical enough to hold up against big TEs. Look for Dudley, who will lineup primarily in the slot, to run plenty of seam routes to pull MLB Anthony Simmons deep, which will open the underneath passing game for Brigham and leading receiver Tim Brown.
Seattle offense vs. Oakland defense
Seattle has had a different player step up and make plays every week but their athletically-challenged receiving corps will have problems separating from the blanket coverage of DCs Charles Woodson and Eric Allen. Although the return of Mike Pritchard helps, Seattle will be forced to execute a methodical, conservative game plan against an underrated Oakland defense. Oakland is giving up a hefty 278 yards through the air per game but that figure is inflated, because teams cannot run the ball on them. Look for Seattle run plenty of screens and dump-offs. RB Ricky Watters has nine receptions through three games, and he might see that many passes on Sunday. Holmgren also likes to utilize his fullback in the passing game, so Oakland MLB Greg Biekert must recognize Reggie Brown coming out of the backfield on "circle" routes. Seattle's offensive line has been inconsistent and must put forth its best effort against the Raiders' deep front four. The Seahawks were slow picking up a new system in the first two games, but some simplified blocking schemes should help. The key to the Raiders' success (tied for second in league with 12 sacks) has been the seven-man front-line rotation that coordinator Willie Shaw can keep fresh. The athleticism of the front four enables the Raiders to execute the zone-blitz better than almost any other team in the league. The zone blitz is one of the better schemes to defense the West Coast system, because it disrupts many of the short timing patterns on which the offense is predicated. Look for the Raiders defense to have great success against an inexperienced QB like Jon Kitna. Kitna is the only starting quarterback in the AFC without an interception, but that should change on Sunday.
Special teams
P Jeff Feagles rebounded as well, placing three punts inside the Steelers' 20. PK Todd Peterson also put a rough start behind him last week as he nailed 5-of-6 field goal attempts. Peterson's counterpart, Oakland's Michael Husted, has nailed his last three attempts, and his booming kickoffs are rarely returnable. The Raiders must make some adjustments on their coverage units after being burned by Chicago's Glyn Milburn for a 93-yard kick return. With players like Travian Smith and K.D. Williams, the Raiders' cover teams are far too talented to give up big plays on a consistent basis.
Key matchups
The Raiders can do a lot of different things defensively because of backup linemen Grady Jackson, Chuck Osborne and Tony Bryant play like starters. It will be tough for the Seahawks to withstand the barrage for four quarters.
Woodson was confident enough in he and Allen's cover abilities to request a switch to man coverage against Minnesota two weeks ago. The Raiders corners did the job against Randy Moss & Co. and shouldn't have any problems against the Seahawks.
After a horrible opener, Watters has bounced back with two productive performances. This might be his toughest test of the season. Watters must run hard and effective for Seattle score points. Oakland will win if...
Seattle will win if...
The War Room edge
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