How the Oakland Raiders Can Make it Any Given Sunday Against Patriots

Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Nick Roach (53) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after Cutler bobbled the snap during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Roach Has to Play

If starting middle linebacker Nick Roach isn’t playing, this is another taken Sunday instead of any given Sunday. Miles Burris has been horrible filling in for Roach as the Raiders gave up 400 rushing yards in the first two games. Defensive lineman Justin Tuck said it best at the press conference Monday when he said, “In this game, you can have 10 guys in the right position and that one guy, it always seems the ball always finds that one guy.”

Burris is obviously that “one guy” Tuck who talking about as the Raiders have given up those rushing yards between the tackles. Burris was out of position on Chris Ivory’s 70-yard run in Week 1 and Arian Foster’s 40-yard run in Week 2.  If Roach isn’t ready, Kaluka Maiava, the teams best linebacker against the inside run, should start but Allen loves Burris.

If Maiava starts, they still might not win because he’s not so good in coverage but with Burris the Raiders have no chance. He can’t cover or play the run Bill Belichick will relentlessly attack the Raiders’ weakness against the run. The Patriots rushed for 188 against the Raiders’ back in 2011 and got themselves in the win column last Sunday by rushing for 150 yards against the Minnesota Vikings.