Sunday, September 7, 2014

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford

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Week 1 of the National Football League season has many intriguing matchups that will make football fans around the country overjoyed. Among the notable matchups featuring two of the most popular teams in the sport will be held at MetLife Stadium when the Oakland Raiders take on the New York Jets. The game, which features two teams that missed the playoffs a year ago, will allow each squad to see what type of offseason adjustments worked and what didn’t.

The Raiders were the only team in the American Football Conference West division that failed to make the playoffs in 2013. They finished with a 4-12 record and made many changes in the offseason in hopes of bettering their squad. The team brought in former Houston Texan Matt Schaub to be the quarterback, running back Maurice Jones-Drew from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and wide receiver James Jones from the Green Bay Packers. Add in some of their talented offensive stars like running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Denarius Moore, and the Raiders have the best offensive team they have had in many years.

The Jets didn’t make as many changes to their roster as the Raiders did, but they did do enough to warrant being called one of the top teams in the American Football Conference. The team brought in former All Pro quarterback from the Philadelphia Eagles who will serve as a suitable backup to Geno Smith. Both quarterbacks are agile and can help improve this offensive unit drastically. In the running game, the team added Chris Ivory from the New Orleans Saints, Chris Johnson from the Tennessee Titans, and already had the talented Bilal Powell. The receiving targets that Smith and Vick will have include some of the most talented in the league including Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, and Greg Salas. 

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Raiders

08/29/14 QB Matt Schaub Elbow probable Sunday vs. NY Jets
08/19/14 CB D.J. Hayden Ankle PUP
08/15/14 TE Nick Kasa Knee out for season
08/13/14 G Lucas Nix Knee out indefinitely
08/08/14 TE David Ausberry Knee out indefinitely

New York Jets

08/24/14 S Antonio Allen Head questionable Sunday vs. Oakland
08/15/14 DB Dexter McDougle ACL out for season
08/13/14 LB Antwan Barnes Knee out indefinitely
08/11/14 CB Dee Milliner Ankle out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Oakland

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