Silver & Black Blog: Week 8 picks

Well, for those of you smart enough not to buy Raider tickets, you'll actually be able to see this mess on TV when Oakland plays at San Diego today.

I don't really expect anything as close as we had on opening night, when San Diego marched down in the final minute to beat the Raiders, who had just taken the lead.

Members of the Raider board I belong to have turned their attention away from JaMarcus Russell, and are now focusing on some Rich Gannon quotes about how he knows for a fact that Jon Gruden would come back to the Raiders if: 1. Al Davis asks him. 2. He gets to bring back ex-GM Bruce Allen.

I think it's longer than a longshot that would happen. Really, it's a no-shot.

Still, it would be interesting, and bring the team instant legitimacy.

I was a big Gruden fan until he had his agent start shopping his name to Notre Dame a few months before he eventually was "traded" to Tampa Bay.

Those rumors came in the final weeks of the 2001 season and were a big distraction. Those talks, I believe, led to some sloppy play down the stretch, and instead of a home AFC Divisional playoff game, the Raiders were forced to play a home wild-card game at home against the New York Jets, then travel to the divisional playoffs to snowy New England.

We all know what happened there, and it would be the last game Gruden coached for the Raiders.

Now, had Al Davis offered Gruden a long-term deal, all of the Gruden talk about the Notre Dame would have been for naught.

Instead, the talks cropped up around Thanksgiving, the Raiders lost four of their last six games, including their last three, and an 8-2 start with a really, really good team was ruined.

Would I like Gruden to return? Sure. Still, and not that he cares, but his overtures with Notre Dame have always left a sour taste in my mouth. That team he had was maybe the best Raider team of his four years, and one that was considered the best in the AFC that season.

Here are this week's picks:

Denver at Baltimore: The Ravens are reeling with three straight losses. A perfect time for a home game to correct the problems. Pick: Baltimore

Houston at Buffalo: This is a pck 'em game for me. But I like Houston's defense against a backup, and the fact the Texans play well on the road. Pick: Houston

Cleveland at Chicago: Should be a fairly easy win for the Bears against a team in more turmoil than the Raiders. Pick: Chicago

Seattle at Dallas: The unnecessary panic of Cowboys fans will again be put to rest after the Cowboys mop up on Seattle. Pick: Seattle

Miami at NY Jets: Jets are hurting, but it's hard for me to get on board with the Miami offense. Pick: Jets

San Francisco at Indianapolis: 49ers could make a statement if not for a vulnerable secondary that will get abused by Peyton Manning. Pick: Indianapolis.

New York Giants at Philadelphia: Giants will get untracked here after losing to two quality opponents (Saints, Cardinals). Eagles are pretenders. Pick: New York

St. Louis at Detroit: Yeah, Lions are coming off a bye week, but does that really matter? Pick: St. Louis

Oakland at San Diego: Chargers have beaten the Raiders 12 straight times ... make that 13. Pick: San Diego

Jacksonville at Tennessee: Vince Young isn't great, but he'll provide the spark needed for the Titans. Pick: Tennessee

Minnesota at Green Bay: The passing of the torch will become complete when the Packers shut down Brett Favre. Pick: Green Bay

Carolina at Arizona: Cardinals are steadily improving and shouln't have a problem in this one. Pick: Arizona

Atlanta at New Orleans: When's the last time these two met as two of the elite teams in the NFC? Pick: New Orleans

Last week: 9-3 Season: 66-36 (.647)