Oakland’s 33-17 meltdown against Miami on Sunday could prove to be their defining loss of their season.
Coming off an embarrassing beatdown to the Steelers, the Raiders were embarrassed again. In a battle of two AFC hopefuls on the edge of the playoff race, the Dolphins looked hungrier, tougher, and built with a better running game.
The Raiders hid the identity of their starting quarterback all week, then watched Bruce Gradkowski seriously hurt his shoulder. Again. Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune says it’s “apparent” Gradkowski is “down for a while” and Jason Campbell will take over. Campbell doesn’t quite understand why he was replaced.
“It’s kind of tough because you’re caught right in between something and you don’t know what’s going on,” Campbell said after the game.
The news only gets worse. Privately, members of the coaching staff tell McDonald that Darren McFadden isn’t running the same aggressive since he was hurt. McFadden has 18 yards on 16 carries over the last two weeks.
Tight end Zach Miller has a torn plantar fascia and couldn’t finish Sunday’s game because of a “fibula” injury. He has 23 yards in the last three games he’s played.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha admitted he couldn’t plant and turn Sunday. He gave up four receptions for 65 yards and incurred a holding penalty.
Oh, and the team is traveling to San Diego this week with their season essentially on the line.
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?