Why The Palmer-Moore Hookup will be even BETTER this week

With the Denver Broncos (5-5) coming off another win behind their 4-1 quarterback Tim Tebow, they have come back from an atrocious start to tie for the division lead with the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders (5-4) who came off an exciting win against divisional rival (4-5) in week 10 look to keep their momentum going and extend their divisional lead in the AFC West by 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings (2-7).

In week 10 against the Chargers, who are a top 10 pass defense team, Carson Palmer looked like a NFL quarterback once again, throwing for two touchdowns and 299 yards. Palmer has seemed to find his favorite receiver on the team, rookie 5 th round pick Denarius Moore. In Palmer’s two starts as a Raider, he has targeted Moore the most out of all Oakland receivers with 19. Against the Chargers, Moore racked in 2 touchdowns and 123 receiving yards only on 5 receptions. The Raiders face a Vikings team whose secondary is struggling as they are without their best corner Antoine Winfield. The Vikings currently are 30 th in the league in passing yards allowed with an average of almost 273 passing yards per game. With the way palmer looked last week against the Chargers, and if the Raiders O-line can provide Palmer time from the bulldozing rush of Jared Allen, the Palmer-Moore hookup should once again fare great numbers, and possibly even greater numbers than last week. With Oakland receiver Jacoby Ford sidelined with a foot injury, Moore should receive more looks, and against a weak secondary should blow up for another monster game (There’s some fantasy football advice for all you who play).

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The Raiders must contain Adrian Peterson, and force the Vikings to use rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. The Raiders D must force Ponder t make mistakes, and take advantage of the rookie. The Raiders will most likely stuff the box, to contain Adrian Peterson, and to pressure Christian Ponder. This means that the secondary of the Raiders must be on top of their game, to shut down the receivers of the Vikings and allow the Defensive Line to get sacks.

The Raiders should come out of this game with the victory, using the offensive attack of Palmer, Moore, and halfback Michael Bush who has replaced inured Darren McFadden well. With a win, the Raiders will go 6-4, extending their win streak, and also increasing their lead in the AFC West.

By James J. Shim
ProFootball-fans.com Oakland Raiders Correspondent