Daily Madden: Raiders Have Their Hands Full With Ravens
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - The Oakland Raiders face a tall task in taking on the 6-2 Ravens in Baltimore Sunday. "Baltimore is a good team, and they're kind of one of those teams that out here we don't see a lot or hear a lot about them," John Madden told the KCBS morning crew Friday, noting the Ravens have won 19 of their last 20 home games.
"(They're) well-coached. It's a tough place to play obviously." Madden said Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer has been playing well, but needs help. "They do need a running game. (Palmer) doesn't have enough there that he can put it all on his shoulders and just be a passing team," said Madden.
"You're not going to confuse that with a Tom Brady offense or a Peyton Manning offense. They need some balance and they need some running. And then when their top two running backs are out, that's going to be tough."
The San Francisco 49ers have an easier task at home against the 3-5 St. Louis Cardinals. "I think the 49ers are so good and so solid that the only way that they could lose is turning the ball over," Madden said.
Two division leaders face off Sunday in Chicago, where the 7-1 Bears meet the 7-1 Houston Texans. "(The Texans) have good defense and good offense, and they have good balance between run and pass," Madden said.
But the Bears are slightly favored. "I think going into Chicago and playing that defense is one of the toughest things you have to do," said Madden.
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays during the NFL season.
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