Way back on Aug. 28, the Oakland Raiders beat the Seattle Seahawks 41-31.
Of course it was an exhibition game, so it didn’t count. The next week, the Raiders lost to the Jets in the regular-season opener – and then lost six more.
Now the Raiders are 0-7, the only winless team in the NFL and a huge underdog to the Seahawks this Sunday afternoon in Seattle where the 'Hawks are almost invincible. Oddsmakers have made Seattle a 16½-point favorite, the biggest spread in the league this week.
The fact the Raiders won this matchup back in August has been pointed out numerous times this week, but both teams dismiss that game as meaningless.
In that game, rookie quarterback Derek Carr locked up his starting spot by performing brilliantly. In playing the first quarter and into the second, Carr completed 11-of-13 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns while playing against Seattle’s first- and second-teamers.
In that game, Carr threw into the teeth of Seattle’s vaunted secondary. Afterward, Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman told the media, “He’s not afraid to take shots. He’s a gunslinger.”
Now, however, Sherman and his defensive mates are ready for Carr and the Raiders. This time, they’ve been able to watch Carr on tape, get a read on him and learn from that August game. Now over .500 at 4-3, the Seahawks could be poised for a second-half run in the NFC West, and they could use the Raiders as a springboard.
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This week, Sherman told the Tacoma News Tribune that he wasn’t surprised Carr went right at the Seattle defense in his first meeting, and he won’t be surprised if he tries it again.
“I mean, he doesn’t know any better,” he told Tacoma’s Gregg Bell, adding: “They’ve got nothing to lose – obviously.”
Except, of course, another game.
And losing in Seattle certainly would seem to be the obvious outcome of this game.
The Seahawks rank No. 5 overall defensively in the NFL, and they’re going up against the Raiders’ offense that ranks 31st. On the other side, the Raiders’ run defense ranks 26th while the Seahawks pound the football with former Cal standout Marshawn Lynch and their running attack ranks No. 2 in the NFL.
One thing that seems certain, however, is that Carr and the Oakland offense – despite Sherman’s dare – are likely to take their chances downfield with the passing game. When reporters this week asked Oakland head coach Tony Sparano if the fact Seattle has just three interceptions this year gives Oakland more confidence, he said, “We have confidence to throw the ball downfield against anybody.”
“All due respect to Seattle, they’re an outstanding team, no doubt about it, well-coached football team, aggressive football team, plays hard and when you’re playing in their place, you better bring as many A-games as you have,” he said. “But all that being said, Derek hasn’t really been afraid to throw the ball down the field against anybody.”
Sparano added, “If the opportunity comes up, we’re going to certainly test it.”
That should make for an interesting afternoon.
