Raiders’ Run Defense Has Been Torn Apart

Minnesota sealed the win when Terence Newman intercepted Carr in the end zone with 2:03 left for his second pick of the game.

After scoring at least 30 points in three straight games, the Raiders struggled for most of the day against a Vikings defense that hasn’t allowed more than 23 in a game all season.

But the good news on Sunday wasn’t about a lone W. It was also about a big L that the Green Bay Packers (6-3) earned in their first loss at home to the Detroit Lions (2-7) in what feels like centuries (literally decades, though). You would have got there, too. But his approach fits what the Vikings want to do on offense: keep opponents honest while they feed Peterson the rock.

Considering how Zimmer has consistently pushed his players to disprove whatever external doubts about them exist, an attitude he has acknowledged is rooted in his own personality and experience, the Vikings might as well be in last place. Buckle up, Vikings fans.

Cousins didn’t have a touchdown toss of more than 7 yards until he got the chance against the Saints’ porous and poor-tackling defense. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, as the Vikes “D” limited the Raiders to 20 first downs and 371 yards of offense (84 rushing yards, 287 passing yards). Peterson extended his lead on the rest of his competition for the rushing title this season with 203 rushing yards Sunday. It may not always look like those old highlights, but it looks great on the scoreboard when the games are done. The Cardinals, though, lost three of their last five games and finished second in the division to Seattle. “I was shocked. Honestly, I’d never seen that team before”.

The Vikings have won five consecutive games heading into Week 11. Because over the past two games, Oakland’s run defenders – once ranked among the best in the National Football League – have been torn apart.

For a hot Vikings team that had many people speculating about their legitimacy, this game promised to be a true test against a dynamic offensive air attack.

Even worse, the Raiders find themselves mired in a logjam of teams who also sit at 4-5 in Miami, Indianapolis, Houston, and Kansas City.

During the first two drives, Bridgewater looked sharp, but the Raiders started to clamp down and Bridgewater’s timing appeared to be off. The wind and the fact that he was recovering from a concussion might have had something to do with it, and the fact that he was often running from defenders certainly didn’t help. Sometimes he held it because his receivers were covered, and sometimes his decisions didn’t happen quickly enough. That’s the bottom line.

Enter Peterson, who made like Patterson. His kickoff return for a touchdown to grab back the lead before halftime may have been the biggest one of the game.

“We’re going to go to Chapter 10 (of the season) tomorrow”. There has been plenty of carping about Patterson’s contributions, but this play alone is a huge mark in his favor for still being on the roster. The Buccaneers, led by quarterback Jameis Winston, have proved to be a feisty bunch, a team capable of beating anyone when it is playing well and the ball bounces its way a time or two.