Seattle offense vs. Oakland defense

	SEAHAWKS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	22
	Pass	19
	Tot. Yds.	26
	Scoring	10
	Int's allowed	9
	Sacks allowed	27
	RAIDERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	17
	vs. Pass	22
	Total yds. allowed	14
	# of Ints.	15
	# of Sacks	33
	Turnover differential	+1

In the first meeting between these two teams, the Seahawks averaged just 2.6 yards per carry against the Raiders swarming front seven. This number is likely to increase significantly for a couple of reasons. First off, in the original meeting, the Seahawks were still getting used to Mike Holmgren's offensive system, and the offensive line has made huge strides since their Week 4 meeting. Also, the addition of WR Joey Galloway will change the Raiders' defensive strategy drastically, forcing them to play less aggressive at the safety position in order to give help in the deep third. Even though Galloway's production has not been alarming since his return to the team, his presence on the outside forces teams to play more honest against the run.

The maturation process of QB Jon Kitna over the course of the past eight-weeks is also going to be a big factor in this rematch. Kitna did throw for five interceptions just last week against the Buccaneers, but that is not a true indicator of his ability to run this West Coast system.

Kitna has shown an uncanny ability to read coverage and adjust to certain alignments and schemes for an inexperienced quarterback in such a complex system. The challenge this week is will be to get his receivers the ball in blanket coverage from cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Eric Allen. The abilities of Woodson and Allen to take wide outs out of the game allows the defense to be more aggressive all the way around, and gives the Raiders more personnel to work with inside the tackles.

The key to the Raiders' defensive success (tied for fifth in the league with 33 sacks) has been the seven-man frontline rotation allowing coordinator Willie Shaw to keep the defensive line 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.

The Raiders are rushing for over 127-yards per game, but they will face a swarming front seven on Sunday that has the capability to shut down the running lanes with pure quickness off the ball and power at the point of attack.

RB Tyrone Wheatley rushed for 120 yards on 20 carries in the first meeting between these two teams, but second-half adjustments by coach Mike Holmgren helped in shutting down the back, holding Wheatley to just 9 yards on 7 carries. The Seahawks went to a lot more man-to-man coverage on the wideouts and walked up SS Anthony Newman to create more of a "44" look against the run.

Wheatley has provided a big boost for the Raiders running game this season, but teams are having greater success against the back when they force him to bounce the ball outside, neutralizing his power as a back and forcing him wide where he is unable to win the race to the corner because of marginal speed.

Oakland will look to open up their formations more on Sunday to spread out the Seahawks defensive personnel, but the game plan is to still run the football. The Raiders seem to have gotten away from running the ball with the type of consistency that was winning them ball games earlier in the season.

With a healthy Wheatley and Napolean Kaufman, the Raiders have the ability to sustain drives by running the football and working in the playaction pass off the running game. If the Raiders can run the ball over 35 times on Sunday, it will give them the edge in the time of possession battle and will give their aggressive defense time to rest on the sideline.

In the passing game, the Raiders are going to be forced to target CB Willie Williams, who will be in man-to-man coverage on WR James Jett. Tim Brown will still provide some underneath production in his matchup on CB Shawn Springs, but the deep threat will be taken away because of the speed difference that he gives up to Springs.

Williams has had some trouble this season in single-coverage, but most of that trouble has come against bigger, more physical receivers. The matchup here is going to center on Williams' ability to stay with Jett down the field. Jett is going to stretch the field vertically, not only to open up room underneath for Brown to work, but also to try to catch Williams biting on the play action fake. Jett is not going to have a big reception day, but it will be his ability to make the big play that could be the difference for the Raider offense.

Michael Husted is struggling on the season, connecting on just 17-of-25 field goal attempts, with a long of just 49-yards. Darrien Gordon is still one of the top returners in the league, and his consistency is what separates him from the pack. Gordon is averaging 10.9-yards per return and has provided the Raiders with some timely return.