No one expected the Oakland Raiders to be in this position, but in Week 9 they sit a game out of the AFC Wild Card race. The playoffs are suddenly a real possibility. Each game becomes crucial as the team will face the Philadelphia Eagles and try and get one step closer to the postseason.
Terrelle Pryor is leading the way in Oakland. The quarterback truly won the starting juob by default, but has taken every advantage of the opportunity since head coach Dennis Allen showed faith in him.Pryor's season aded another highlight when he broke off into a 93-yard touchdown run against Pittsburgh, showing just why he is the starting quarterback. However, he did go just 10 for 19 in passing for 88 yards and two interceptions. He connected on just 52.8 percent of his passes in the last two games.
The Eagles quarterback situation has yet to be consistent. Nick Foles will get his second start of the season as Michael Vick nurses an injured hamstring. The backup quarterback has appeared in just five games this year, looking great at times and terrible in other moments. He has 622 yards passing on the year with six touchdowns. He looked like a start against Tampa Bay one week, but put up career-lows against Dallas the following week.
The Raiders defense should be able to hold their own against Foles, but it is the other Eagles playmakers that plan on bailing their quarterback out. Running back LeSean McCoy leads the NFL with 733 rushing yards. DeSean Jackson is filled with big play capabilities.
The Raiders have not made it to the postseason since 2002. They are entering the softer part of their schedule which could allow them to gain speed on others if a win Sunday is earned. With games against the Giants, Houston and Tennessee all coming up, momentum could be working in Oakland's favor.
