Raiders Host Jets
Oakland, CA – The last time Brett Favre played in Oakland, he was wearing a different uniform and grieving the death of his father.
Five years later, Favre returns as a member of the New York Jets to face the Raiders on Sunday for the first time since one of his most dominant and emotional performances.
One day after his father, Irvin, died of a heart attack, Favre played in front of a national audience on Monday night with a heavy heart and led Green Bay to a 41-7 victory at Oakland on Dec. 22, 2003. In a daze, Favre was 22-of-30 for 399 yards with four touchdowns in that contest that ultimately helped propel the Packers to the NFC North title.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Jets -3 point spread favorites (View NFL Football odds) for Sunday’s game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 79% of bets for this game have been placed on Jets -3 (View NFL Football bet percentages).
"It was obviously a tough time," Favre recalled, "but it was one of those games that everything I seemed to do was right.
"I said, ‘Well, once they start chasing me, live bullets start flying, I’ll be fine.’ But, it was more than fine."
With those bittersweet memories still in tow, Favre returns to Oakland trying to lead New York (3-2) to a third straight victory and fourth in a row overall against the Raiders (1-4) as it looks to match its 2007 win total. He is 4-0 with 11 TDs and four interceptions all-time against Oakland.
While the Jets likely won’t need another dominating performance from Favre this time against an Oakland team that has lost three in a row, they’d settle for a solid one from the 39-year-old, who was 25-of-33 for 189 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in a 24-14 win over Cincinnati last Sunday. It came two weeks after he threw six touchdowns in a rout of Arizona.
"I’m not here for stats," said Favre, who in his first season with the Jets leads the NFL in competition percentage (71.3) and is third with 13 touchdowns. "I’m here for wins.
"I feel like each week, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the offense. I feel like this team this year, being included in this team, I see a lot of potential."
Thomas Jones recorded a career-high three touchdowns last week for a Jets’ offense that ranks fifth in the NFL averaging 28.2 points per game on the season and 37.0 in the last three contests.
"We’re working well together as an offense," said Jones, whose four TDs this season are two more than his 2007 total. "We’re running the ball when we need to and throwing the ball when we need to. You want to have a balanced offense."
New York could also be in store for another solid defensive effort after holding the Bengals to 171 total yards and 43 on the ground. The Jets are third in the league, allowing 69.0 rushing yards per game.
"I know that it’s been a concentrated effort and guys have been taking it personal and trying to get it done, so it’s a good feeling," linebacker Eric Barton said. "But the season is just getting going and we need to continue to get better.”
The unit should have a chance to do that against Oakland, which has gone 103 plays since its last offensive touchdown – Sept. 28 against San Diego – for the longest active streak in the league. After rushing for 450 yards in its first two games, Oakland has 255 yards on the ground in its last three.
The Raiders lost 34-3 at New Orleans last Sunday, spoiling Tom Cable’s debut as interim coach after replacing the fired Lane Kiffin.
Looking to jump-start a sagging offense that ranks 26th in the NFL averaging 16.2 points, Oakland could get creative with its play-calling involving a healthy Darren McFadden. Though he’s played in every contest, the rookie running back has been bothered by a toe injury that continues to improve.
"I know they’re going to come in and have some more plays for me, like spread me out wide and some of the things that they didn’t do when I was hurt," said McFadden, who has rushed for 302 yards and a touchdown. "So I know it’s something they’re going to come in there and put some more plays in for me."
Oakland, which has lost four in a row at home and 12 of its last 14 there, won 26-20 over New York on Dec. 2, 2002 for its last victory over the Jets.
Top Betting Trends:
All games in this series since 1992
OAKLAND is 7-4 against the spread versus NY JETS since 1992
OAKLAND is 8-5 straight up against NY JETS since 1992
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992
Games over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 1-0 against the spread versus OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
NY JETS is 1-0 straight up against OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
All games played at OAKLAND since 1992
OAKLAND is 4-2 against the spread versus NY JETS since 1992
OAKLAND is 6-2 straight up against NY JETS since 1992
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1992
Key Player Injuries
NY JETS
[S] Cameron Worrell IR – Knee – 09/04/08
[CB] Justin Miller missed last game %27?%27 – Foot – 09/28/08
[P] Reggie Hodges missed last game %27?%27 – Thigh – 09/28/08
[S] Eric Smith 1-game suspension, expected to miss next game. – Suspension – 09/30/08
[K] Mike Nugent missed last game %27?%27 – Thigh – 09/28/08
[RB] Jesse Chatman is upgraded to probable – Suspension Served – 09/30/08
[LB] Brad Kassell IR – Knee – 08/10/08
[WR] David Clowny is out indefinitely – Collarbone – 09/04/08
OAKLAND
[OL] Paul McQuistan IR – Knee – 09/10/08
[RB] Justin Fargas is upgraded to probable – Groin – 10/07/08
[TE] Ben Troupe missed last game %27?%27 – Foot – 09/26/08
[RB] Darren McFadden is "?" – Toe – 10/06/08
[RB] Oren O’Neal IR – Knee – 08/24/08
[DT] Gerard Warren missed last game %27?%27 – Pectoral – 09/28/08
[T] Seth Wand IR – Knee – 09/26/08
[OG] Cooper Carlisle missed last game %27?%27 – Ankle – 09/28/08
[HC] Lane Kiffin has been fired, offensive line coach Tom Cable named interim coach – None – 09/30/08
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Posted: 10/16/08 2:06 PM