It has been a reoccurring theme this year in the NFL of top teams and players crushing their teams’ hopes. Whether this is through injury or disappointing play, the Oakland Raiders got the best of both worlds in Week 7.
Being the most hyped and analyzed team going into this Week 7, the Raiders were ready to make a statement as a true playoff contender in the AFC. With the loss of Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone, the recently acquired Carson Palmer was set to resurrect this Raider team and lead them to the holy land, Indianapolis (SB XLVI). Palmer cost the Raiders a 2012 first round pick and a 2013 second round pick, which can become a first round pick with a playoff win. This is a very costly trade for the Raiders as they are typically taking away any possible hopes of getting a top college player in the next two drafts. With this said, the Raiders going into Sunday had their hopes high that their franchise was at last saved.
So here are the Sunday Headlines:
- Darren McFadden leaves game with sprained foot.
- Carson Palmer replaces Kyle Boller in second half, throws 3 interceptions.
Clearly these are not the headlines the Raider Nation were hoping to see after Week 7, let alone an embarrassing shutout loss to divisional rival Kansas City Chiefs was enough. With the high investment of newly acquired quarterback Carson Palmer, and injury to star running back Darren McFadden, Oakland Raider fans certainly are not too thrilled with how this week played out. Of course McFadden’s foot sprain should not be too serious with the Raiders heading into a Week 8 bye, he should have plenty of time to recover. But the biggest question mark falls upon Carson Palmer, can the his old quarterback find his old form, and give the Raiders the spark they need to become a competitor in the AFC? If only there was an NFL Magic 8 ball…
-Andre
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