New England Patriots Week 11: Game day thoughts vs. Oakland Raiders

In Week 11, the New England Patriots take on the Oakland Raiders in a special game down in Mexico City.

Montezuma’s Revenge presumably has claimed its first New England Patriots victim – and it’s a big one! David Andrews is out, as you may have heard, with an undefined stomach ailment. Hopefully probably back-up Ted Karras can keep Tom Brady off the ground.

I like the idea that the taller, heavier Ted Karras might overfill Andrews’ oversized Nikes. Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that the Patriots have cross-trained Karras for just such an eventuality. I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Karras at right guard. Belichick says he’s a hard worker

Still, if a team can disrupt Brady, they can win and I’m sure Oakland is up for the challenge. Also, note that almost every week, there have been unbelievable upsets.

However, this game does not figure to be one of them!

Who are the Oakland Raiders?

Not even with all the star players the Raiders bring to the table: QB Derek Carr has been very impressive at times (but not lately) with a variety of talented targets: their own Cook(s), pass-catching Jared; an under-performing Amari Cooper; Seth Roberts; and the great Michael Crabtree.

Then there’s running back Marshawn Lynch whom you may remember from Seattle or maybe from his AFC East days with the Buffalo Bills. His number are down from those days, but he’s still averaging 3.8 yards per carry while collecting four touchdowns.  Head coach Bill Belichick notes that he’s as good in yards after catch as anyone in the NFL.

Speaking of Belichick, he used the Belestrator online to demonstrate the danger of the Raiders’ special teams: especially punter Marquette King who runs a lot of fake punts when not kicking 50 yarders. Also kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson, he said, can easily turn a simple reception into a touchdown.

Then he warned of edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin (“one of the fastest players In the league”). Mack won the Defensive Player of the Year last season so the LAW (LaAdrian Waddle) will have his hands full. (However the LAW shut down the DPOTY runner-up last week, Von Miller.)