***SNF IN THE SWAMP - OAK @ MIA***
***OAKLAND RAIDERS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS***
Unfortunately the SwampMan still remains submerged in the pit of misery after back to back brutal Sunday's. Winless Sundays I should say, pathetic stuff and for that once again I apologize. I'm honing in on an ice breaker with this one tonight when the Oakland Raiders head into Miami to take on the Miami Dolphins in a strange AFC matchup that should provide for an entertaining game. Or so I hope. Despite their chaotic season thus far, the Fish are sitting with a 4-3 record and with a win tonight can tie Buffalo for 2nd place in their division, one game behind the 1st place Pats. Needless to say Miami is very much in the mix as of now. It is November, and that means it's time for the cream to start rising to the top as the playoff picture begins to take shape. The Raiders have also been extremely inconsistent so far with a 3-5 record, tied with both the Chargers and Broncos for 2nd place in the Division behind the 1st place Chiefs. That being said, although it may not seem like it, the Raiders are very much still alive at the moment and a road win tonight would do wonders for them as they head into their bye week. However, I believe they will run into a pissed off Miami team tonight after the Dolphins were last embarrassed on TNF on the ugly end of a 40-0 blowout suffered at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are another inconsistent team so this blowout was a bit of a surprise although I did expect them to handle their business at home in that one. I sadly admit that is actually the last game I was on the right side of. Backup QB Matt Moore started for the Dolphins in the Baltimore beatdown, and to say the least, he was bad, very bad. That being said, Jay Cutler gets the nod and will be back under center tonight.
I know I am one of the very few when I say this, but I was excited for the Dolphins when they signed Jay Cutler. I always liked his arm strength and believed he could be good in the right situation. I was wrong, but that doesn't mean that he isn't capable of having a random great outing. I think that is what happens tonight against a poor Oakland secondary. Miami gets back WR DeVante Parker tonight and I have been waiting for this kid to get healthy for what seems like forever. He is an athletic freak and he looked like he was Cutler's favorite target in preseason and earlier this year before his injury. Now coupled with WR Jarvis Landry, I believe after how bad this offense was embarrassed last week and frankly, this season, that they are going to explode tonight. I love the personnel on the Miami defense as well. Safety Reshad Jones is a ball hawking stud and this LB core is a mean one with Kiko Alonso, Rey Maualuga, and Lawrence Timmons. Behind the defensive line led by DT Ndamukong Suh, I think these guys come motivated to kick ass on the big stage in front of their home crowd tonight. Raiders will get back RB Marshawn Lynch after his one game suspension but I don't think he will have much success against this front. QB Derek Carr will surely get his with WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree which should lead to a fun matchup between two gunslingers with a full arsenal. The Raiders may have been guilty of drinking their own kool-aid coming into this season and I believe the Offensive Line is the most guilty. These guys were supposed to be the best group after the Dallas Cowboys on the tier of the NFL, and they have been anything but, hence Carr getting injured. They will be tested tonight by the hungry Miami D, and I think the issues they have may take the bye week to fix. Miami Head Coach Adam Gase abruptly traded away starting RB Jay Ajayi who just went off for his new team the Philadelphia Eagles today. I have no doubt in my mind that the trade was sending a message to his team that they better shape the hell up and do it ASAP, and I think the will. It's been a long time since we've seen the good Jay Cutty and I'm really hoping he shows up tonight. The timing is perfect. Give me the Fish for the upset here and for the love of God I hope I break out of this cold streak! DOLPHINS+3
