Oakland Raiders Weekly Progress Report: Where They Stand Headed into Week 14

First-year head coach Dennis Allen has had a tough year, his team is 3-9, his defense is terrible and he lost his father earlier this week. Allen was away for two days to be with family while his team prepared to face Peyton Manning and Von Miller on a short week.

The Broncos are 9-3, have wrapped up the AFC West and have nothing to play for except for playoff seeding. When these two teams met in Week 4, they were both 1-2, and the Broncos proceeded to crush the Raiders 37-6.

This is the first time this season that the Raiders have faced a team for the second time. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the coaching staff makes and if they have any impact on the outcome of the game.

 

Primary Talking Point for Week 14

Oakland’s running game has improved on the back of Marcel Reece since Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson went down with high-ankle sprains. Both McFadden and Goodson are expected to be back on Thursday, which presents a challenge for offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.



How do you divide the carries and touches between the three? Does McFadden get a full load in his first game back, or do you work him in slowly? Would trying to for an even split be effective? And what about Goodson?

Knapp has been criticized for running his zone scheme that hasn’t suited McFadden’s strengths, and that criticism could be re-ignited this week if he doesn’t figure out how to maximize the effectiveness of all his backs. It’s a perilous tight rope that ends poorly more than it ends well.

 

Injury Outlook

The Raiders are healthier than they have been all season. McFadden and Goodson are listed as probable, along with several others, and they all should play. Only Richard Seymour (knee) has been declared out, with Philip Adams (concussion) and Jack Crawford (toe) the only other two players questionable fo...