The Oakland Raiders will begin a two-game stretch against NFC East opponents as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 3. Sunday's game marks the first meeting between the Raiders and Eagles since 10/18/09, when the two teams met in Oakland as well. This will be the second time on the year that the Silver and Black face an NFC East opponent, having fallen to the Redskins on Sept. 29, 14-24. Oakland is coming off of a victory at home over Pittsburgh last week, 21-18, while Philadelphia fell at home to the Giants, 7-15, who the Raiders will play next week.
Last week, The Raiders returned off their bye to beat the Steelers at home by a final of 21-18. The Silver and Black wasted no time getting started, as QB Terrelle Pryortook the snap on the first play from scrimmage and ran 93 yards for the score. The play marked the longest TD rush by a quarterback in NFL history, as well as the longest run in Raiders history. RB Darren McFaddenalso played a major role in the run game, rushing for 73 yards and two TDs. Oakland's defense proved hard to move the ball on, limiting the Steelers to just 276 yards of offense (only 90 in the first half) and intercepting two passes.
Philadelphia comes to town having lost last weekend at home to the New York Giants, 7-15. The Eagles' defense limited New York to just 88 yards rushing and did not allow a TD on the afternoon. QB Matt Barkleyreplaced an injured QB Michael Vickand threw for 158 yards. Philadelphia's special teams stepped up in a big way, scoring a TD when LB Najee Gooderecovered an errant snap on a Giants punt attempt.
Following Sunday's contest, the Raiders will travel East to play the New York Giants next Sunday, and the Eagles will go to Green Bay to face the Packers.
"It's great when you get a chance to get a win. You can't ever take these things for granted in the National Football League. They're tough to come by, so for us to get a win, get our record to 3-4, we've got an opportunity with Philadelphia coming in here to get our record back to .500, and maybe we can create a little momentum." -- Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen
Pro Connections
• Raiders special teams coordinator Bobby Aprilserved in the same role for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2010-12. In 2010, the Eagles won the NFC East with an overall record of 10-6, and under the guidance of April, K David Akers was named to the Pro Bowl.
• Raiders defensive backs coach Johnnie Lynnwas in Philadelphia in 2011 as the defensive backs coach. In his lone season as an Eagle, the team finished at 8-8.
College Connections
• Eagles WR DeSean Jacksonplayed at the University of California from 2005- 07. In his three seasons, Jackson posted 162 receptions for 2,423y yards and 22 TDs. He also returned six punts for TDs.
• Raiders WR Rod Streaterattended Temple University, appearing in 25 games and catching 19 passes for 401 yards and three TDs.
• Raiders DE Lamarr Houstonand Eagles LB Emmanuel Achowere teammates on the defensive side of the ball for Texas from 2008-09. In 2009, the Longhorns finished the season with a record of 13-1 and a final ranking of No. 2 in the *Associated Press *poll.
• Raiders CB Mike Jenkinsand Eagles S Nate Allenplayed together in the secondary at the University of South Florida from 2006-07. In 2006, South Florida went 9-4 and defeated East Carolina 24-7 in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.
• Raiders CB Chimdi Chekwaplayed in the defensive backfield with Eagles S Kurt Colemanfrom 2006-09 at Ohio State and Raiders QB Terrelle Pryoralso played for the Buckeyes with the two from 2008-09. In 2009, Pryor led Ohio State to an 11-2 record and a final *Associated Press *ranking of number five.
• Raiders RB Jeremy Stewartand Eagles TE Zach Ertzplayed together at Stanford from 2010-11. In 2011, the Cardinal went 11-2.
• Raiders G Lucas Nixand Eagles RB LeSean McCoywere teammates at Pittsburgh in 2008. That year, the Panthers went 9-4.
Raiders from Pennsylvania
• There are six Raiders players/coaches from Pennsylvania: QB Terrelle Pryor(Jeanette), G Lucas Nix(Jefferson Hills), LS Jon Condo(Philipsburg), C Stefen Wisniewski(Pittsburgh), QB Matt McGloin(Scranton) and assistant strength & conditioning coach John Grieco(Greensburg).
Eagles from the Bay Area
• There is one Eagles player from the Bay Area: TE Zach Ertz(Danville).
Stopping the Run
Over the last four games, the Raiders defense has not allowed their opponents much in the ground game. From Weeks 4-8, Oakland's run defense has allowed just 76.0 yards per game, good for second in the league over that time.
Running for Distance
QB Terrelle Pryoris now leading the league in rushing yards per carry - by almost a full two yards. Pryor's 7.4 yards per carry is also on pace to be the sixth best single-season total in NFL history. In 2013, the leaders in yards per carry are 1) Pryor, 7.4, 2) Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, 5.6 and 3) Redskins RB Alfred Morris, 5.2.
EAGLES SNAPSHOT
Overview:The Philadelphia Eagles come into this game with a 3-5 record. After finishing 4-12 last season, the team hired Chip Kelly, the former Head Coach of the Oregon Ducks. Kelly brings a non-stop energy to the sidelines and to his offense. Currently, the Eagles are tied for second place in the NFC East with a record of 3-5, one game behind the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles are looking to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.
Offense:The Eagles offense has been bolstered by Kelly, who brings a unique style of play calling and a constant fast-paced speed to each play. The Eagles are fifth in the NFL in total offense at 397.1 yards per game and are second in the league in rushing yards per game at 150.4. The offense is paced by fifth-year RB LeSean McCoy, who currently leads the NFL in rushing yards with 733, while adding three rushing TDs. WR DeSean Jacksonis currently tied for fifth in the league with 673 yards receiving to go along with five receiving TDs.
Defense:The Eagles are currently 31st in the NFL in yards per game, giving up over 400 yards per game thus far. The defense is paced by ILB DeMeco Ryans,who leads the team in total tackles with 66, and is tied for second on the team with two sacks and has also recorded one interception this year. Leading the secondary is fifth-year CB Cary Williams, who leads the team with two interceptions and has tallied 38 tackles through the first half of the season.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
SS Tyvon Branch
• Needs one sack to tie No. 3 Albert Lewis (8.0, 1994-98) on the franchise's career list among defensive backs. He enters the game with seven after recording one against Indianapolis in the season opener.
WR Jacoby Ford
• Needs 20 kickoff return yards to pass George Atkinson for seventh place on the Raiders' all-time KOR yards list.
DE Lamarr Houston
• Needs four sacks to enter the top 20 in Raiders team history.
K Sebastian Janikowski
• Has now converted on 140-consecutive PAT attempts.
• Needs just 75 points to reach 1,500 for his career.
RB Darren McFadden
• Needs eight rushing yards to move into seventh place on the Raiders' all-time rushing list.
• Needs 470 receiving yards to eclipse 1,500 yards for his career.
• Needs one rushing TD to move into sole possession of ninth place on the franchise's career list, and two to tie No. 8 Charlie Smith (24, 1968-74). McFadden enters the game with 22.
WR Denarius Moore
• Needs 210 receiving yards to reach 2,000 for his career.
QB Terrelle Pryor
• Is currently first amongst all quarterbacks with 391 rushing yards. Pryor could eclipse the Raiders' single-season mark of rushing yards by a quarterback with just 139 more yards. Rich Gannon set the mark in 2000 with 529.
WR Rod Streater
• Needs 97 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for his career.
FS Charles Woodson
• Needs five interceptions to tie Ed Reed for first on the interceptions list among all active players with 61.
• Needs one INT-TD to pass Rod Woodson for first on the all-time list with 12.
• Needs one defensive touchdown to pass Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for the most defensive touchdowns in NFL history with 13.
