GameDay: The View From The Booth - 9/26/11
CBS 5 Sports Director Dennis O'Donnell hosts "Gameday" every Sunday night at 11:30pm and offers his unique sports analysis here.
San Francisco (CBS 5) - Can two wins possibly look any different? The Raiders played with creativity, risk, and attitude while the 49ers gave a whole new definition to the word BLAND. In the end, however, the 49ers win could be the difference maker come late December. Once again the division of wannabes will carry the mantle of the NFC Worst. Few will recall the incompetent offense that couldn't reach midfield until midway through the third quarter. Instead, the victory over Cincinnati will be remembered as a gut-wrenching rare road victory under the tutelage of Jim Harbaugh.
The point is, the 49ers have serious issues, especially with the offensive line. Their offense is dead-last in the NFL with 213.7 yards per game. But 8-8 will win the NFC West and I think the 49ers can get there, which is why this win, as ugly as it was, was so critical. By the way, Jim Harbaugh says there is competition at right guard where Chilo Rachal is playing his way out of the job. One former Pro Bowl offensive lineman told me he called Chilo to provide one-on-one coaching assistance. Chilo's response: "No Thanks."
The Raiders? Is there a team more fun to watch in the NFL right now? They will sell out for the second consecutive game this weekend when Tom Brady and the Patriots come calling. Sure Brady's going to have a monster game. But so will the Raiders offense. Hue Jackson's game-plan is the one 49er fans probably expected they would see under Harbaugh. Two straight reverses, one with Campbell as the intended receiver and the other with Denarius Moore breaking loose. Jackson is coaching like there is no tomorrow, as if the Raiders playoff lives were on the line.
Now come the Patriots and their league-leading 540 yard average. The Raiders rank 15th with 375. That's over 1,000 yards of fun coming to a stadium near you. Combine that with the fact that New England's defense ranks last in the NFL, giving up 468 yards per game with the Raiders checking in at 410 yards, ranking 28th. I never thought I'd say this, but get your tickets now and if you wait too long I'll see you on the 5th quarter.
