NFL Week 16 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

On Christmas Eve the Oakland Raiders would win their last home season game for Charles Woodson.  Some people say that this might have been the last game 

played in Oakland, since next month the NFL owners will vote on which teams moves to Los Angeles. The game in general was sloppy and Derek Carr would throw a first quarter interception. The game did go to overtime and Raiders got the victory. There is one more game left this season for the Raiders and I would love a victory against the Chiefs and go 8 and 8 this season. I don't like to play the should have game but the Raiders should have beat the Chiefs in Oakland and they would have if Derek Carr doesn't throw three 4th quarter interception, which two of them lead to touchdowns. Derek needs to go into this offseason and get better in making those decisions. Derek Carr has one more game to put a stamp on the 2015 NFL Season.

NFL Week 16 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Raiders' King highlights Week 16 Players of Week

In a tight victory over the Chargers in Oakland on Christmas Eve, Raiders punter Marquette Kingkicked the ball eight times for a total of 400 yards. This news alone is not unusual for King, now in his third year as Oakland's every day punter. He has always been associated with a dynamite leg, like a driving specialist in golf. But against San Diego, six of those eight punts pinned the Chargers inside their own 20-yard line. There is absolutely no question that such miserable starting field position changes the game, and King, according to ESPN, has already set the Raiders' franchise record for most punts inside the 20-yard line this season (35). The Raiders, by the way, have employed some pretty good punters over the years.

King also has one of the lowest return rates in football, one of the lowest return yard totals in football and is tied for the longest single punt of the year (70 yards). Punters and kickers are often bypassed during the players of the week highlight, but sometimes it's good to stop and think about just how much they can impact a game. Kudos to King, who earned this week's AFC special teams player of the week award. Full Article

NFL Week 16 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

One more week to go. The Oakland Raiders have surprised a lot of people this year. They have a lot of work to do but I am happy that we have a offseason to look forward to. The Raiders will need to get better on defense. Hopefully these close games they lost this year will turn into wins next year. It is upsetting to know that now that the Raiders are on the up and up they might be playing in Los Angeles. I hope they don't leave and we see the playoff run here in Oakland.

The playoffs are set and the teams that are in, really do not have that much experience at quarterback other then Tom Brady. It should be an interesting playoffs. Which teams will be playing in Santa Clara. Will it be Alex Smith, Tom Brady or even Aron Rogers. These players have the bay area connection. I still think we will see from the AFC, New England. In the NFC, we will see either Arizona or Carolina. Carolina did lose this past week but that doesn't mean anything. If Carolina wins om Sunday, they will have home field advantage throughout.

Golden State Warriors 28-1 |Nasser Erakat

One of the biggest basketball games on Christmas day was the Cleveland Cavilers vs. the Golden State Warriors. So much talk about how the Golden State Warriors, "were lucky?" Cleveland also said that if they were healthy the Finals would have turned 

out different. The Cavilers were healthy but this time it was the Warriors who were banged up. Harrison Barns is still out and Stephen Curry is not a 100% oh and the Warriors still do not have their head coach. For most of the game the Warriors lead and even thought it was a slow pace game the Warriors looked like they would win the game. Eventually they did and they improve their record to 28-1. Which makes them the, Golden State Warriors 28-1 | Nasser Erakat. Also on Christmas the Spurs and Thunder both lost. All these people talking about the Warriors and how they have not played anybody yet? Huh? Was the Cavilers their first test? Is that what people were saying? Well not only did they have the longest streak to start the season but they have beat everyone that made the playoffs last year. What excuse is going to be next? The crazy thing is that the Warriors are not playing well. They can play so much better. That's scary.

Golden State Warriors 28-1 |Nasser Erakat

Warriors not happy with their play, despite record

Memo to the 29 NBA teams that haven’t spent the entire 2015-16 season flirting with perfection: The defending champion Golden State Warriors, 28-1 record be darned, don’t think they’re playing very well.

And that, as they see it, is an exciting reality to embrace.

“I still don't think we've played well,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said after their 89-83 win over the Cavs in a Finals rematch on Friday. “That's part of it that pisses me off, and the part of it that makes me very, very happy. I think we've got a lot of improving to do, and we will.”

Said Warriors center Andrew Bogut: “The last 10 games, we haven’t had great games – even though we won them. We just know how to win, but we felt like we weren't playing that well. So without sounding arrogant ... we're 28-1 and we're saying we haven't played that well, that we have things to work on.”

Yet what may sound crazy at first is, in fact, true. From their Nov. 30 win against the Utah Jazz to the defensively dominant defeat of the Cavs on Christmas Day 11 games later, the Warriors – whose lone loss came at the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 12 – have fallen short of their lofty standards. Full Article

Golden State Warriors 28-1 |Nasser Erakat

Once the Warriors start playing up to their potential and get healthy, I think we may see another streak in the making. I can see the Golden State Warriors in June defending their title. I can also see that in June if they win it all again and win back to back titles, come the start of the following season someone will make another excuse why they won. Stop disrespecting and start watching something special. This team may be on the verge of something special. Keep disrespecting and keep making excuses. Thanks for taking the time to read this article.

NFL Week 15 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The Oakland Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday when 

they lost to the Green Bay Packers. The game started off very bad for the Raiders. They spotted the Green Bay Packers 14 points. You can't give a team 14 points and expect to win. The Raiders did take the lead and made it 20-17 but that score didn't hold up. The kick off after the Raiders took the lead was taken to the 47 and three plays later Green Bay took the lead and pretty much it was over. Green Bay (10-4) would go on to win the game 30-20 and Oakland (6-8) will have to wait until next year for the playoffs.

I will say that I was very happy with the team this year. They competed until Sunday, Week 15. When was the last time the Raiders were still in it until Week 15. I predicted 6-10 and they already have there 6 wins which doubled their win total from last year. These young players Carr,Cooper and Mack are the foundation of the future.

The NFL playoffs have taken shape and pretty much we know who is in and who is out.

NFL Week 15 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Raiders' Charles Woodson to retire after 2015 season

Charles Woodson will leave the NFL playing as well as he did upon entering the league 18 years ago.

The Oakland Raiders safety announced Monday evening that he will retire after the 2015 season.

"2015 is going to be my last season playing in the NFL," Woodson said. "Was it a tough decision? Kind of in a way. But a couple weeks ago it hit me that this would be it. It's important for me to let Raider Nation know now."

One of the most versatile, talented and productive defensive backs in NFL history, Woodson was a three-time first-team All-Pro at cornerback for the Raiders and Green Bay Packers before successfully converting to safety in his twilight years.

After edging Peyton Manning out for the Heisman Trophy as a rare "two-way player" at the college level, the former Michigan star earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors as the defensive equivalent to fellow first-year phenom Randy Moss in 1998.

"When he learns more about technique," then-Ramsreceivers coach Al Saunders said at the time, "he has a chance to be one of the best to ever play the position." Full Article

NFL Week 15 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Odell Beckham Jr. Suspended for Hit on Josh Norman: Latest Comments and Reaction

Beckham was penalized three times for unnecessary roughness, including a late helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless player in which Beckham left his feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, lowered his helmet and initiated forcible contact with his helmet, and forcibly struck the defenseless player's head. This "blindside block" was particularly flagrant because Beckham, with a 10-yard running start, had an unobstructed path to his opponent, the position of the opponent was not impacted by any other player, and the contact with the head/neck was avoidable.

The suspension was imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks. Hanks ruled that Beckham's actions placed his opponents at unnecessary risk of injury and should have been avoided.

In a letter to Beckham, Hanks noted, "At numerous times during yesterday's game against the Carolina Panthers, your actions placed a fellow player at unnecessary risk...and clearly did not represent the high standards of sportsmanship expected." Full Article

NFL Week 14 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The Oakland Raiders on Sunday did the impossible. At the half Denver was up by 12 and the Raiders had -12 Total yards. The Raiders would go on to win 15-12 in Denver. 

Khalil Mack had 5 sacks and destroyed Brock Osweiler. The Raiders who for the second time this season held Denver without an offense scoring touchdown. The First meeting could have went the Raiders way if those two turnovers didn't occur.  The playoffs are practically here and the Raiders are still in the hunt. I still think it will be very hard to make it but if they finish 7-9, 8-8 or even 9-7, this season is a success.

NFL Week 14 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Jack Del Rio on Khalil Mack's five-sack day: 'He was unblockable'

Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio was beaming a day after pass-rusher Khalil Mack put together one of the best individual defensive performances in team history.

After he had a chance to digest the tape, Del Rio was clearly blown away with what the second-year player did in Oakland’s 15-12 upset win at Denver. This is exactly what Mack did to Denver: five sacks in the second half, including one for a safety.

“It was a special, special performance,” Del Rio said. “He just really was unblockable most of the day. Whether it was against the run or the pass, he was showing up in the backfield being very disruptive.”

Mack is the first player to record five sacks in a game since Aldon Smith did it for San Francisco in 2012, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He tied Hall of Famer Howie Long for the most sacks in a game in team history. Long had his five-sack game in 1983. Mack, who has nine sacks in the past three games, has an NFL-high 14 sacks on the season. The No. 5 overall pick in 2014, Mack had four sacks as a rookie.

Del Rio said he has seen Mack make big strides.

“I think his understanding of how to finish,” Del Rio said of Mack’s biggest area of recent improvement. “His understanding of different leverage points and how he can counter what they’re trying to do. Really, the finish around the quarterback is the biggest thing -- instead of being close, to be able to finish with a sack. … He’s developing that awareness on the angles and how to finish on the quarterback that will allow him to continue to have tremendous production.” Full Article

NFL Week 14 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The Carolina Panthers seemed to be position to go undefeated this season. Can they make it to the Super Bowl and go 19-0? The Bengals lose Dalton, the Chiefs win for their 6 straight in a row. The Steelers are making a push. Oh yeah and New England won again but they did have to Place Blunt on IR. Who will win it all? Which two teams will be playing in Super Bowl 50? Well Thanks for Reading and Go Raiders!!! The Raiders are on the up and up.

NFL Week 13 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

I'm am going to start with my Raiders. They had a shot of winning on Sunday but Derek Carr made some costly mistakes, that knocked them out of the playoffs. 

Think about that for a moment, the Oakland Raiders were playing for playoffs. The Raiders haven't been playing for anything in about 12 years and yes I know about Hue Jackson and the 4-2 season that became 8-8. As I mentioned I predicted the Raiders this year 6-10, and they will win one more game. They are way ahead of schedule and next year will be a 10-6 season and playoffs. I'm am so happy that Derek Carr is my quarterback for the next 10 years. He will be better then what we have had for the last 10 years. To the Raiders I want to Thank you for a wonderful season.

NFL Week 13 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Seahawks climb; Patriots drop

The not-so-ugly reared their heads this weekend.

Week 14 Power Rankings are in, with a nod to the teams many of us thought were formidable in the preseason finally making their moves. The Seahawks dominated the Vikings. The Steelers trounced the Colts. And the Cardinals, well, they kept rolling with another not to worry, we're still in control win in St. Louis. The top 10 seen below could be precisely the same 10 at season's end, and that is not a bad thing.

Yep, a couple of 2015's best -- i.e., the Patriots and Vikings -- did fall. The alarming facts included whom New England fell to, where the Pats and Vikes fell (both at home) and how badly Minnesota was taken down. Each team stayed in the top 10, however.

As for Nos. 11-32, see below. There is appreciable movement all throughout the ranks. As always, feel free to share your take on such matters. @HarrisonNFL is the place.

Let the dissension commence!

RANK 1

12-0 PANTHERS

Quite a scare in New Orleans on multiple fronts for the Panthers, who ultimately didn't succumb to the trap game -- or the divisional road game or the first loss of the season game, or whatever else league observers were calling the matchup with the Saints. Also scary were a couple of hits to the head suffered by today's MVP favorite, Cam Newton. With Carolina's usually formidable defense unable to stop New Orleans, the offense won the day.

RANK 2

10-2 CARDINALS

Arizona rolls on, playing Cardinal football in St. Louis while the Rams played, well, Rams football. The only issue for Bruce Arians' club is maintaining the health of a running back who doesn't fumble. That man might be Kerwynn Williams. Just ask him. You're welcome.

RANK 3

10-2 BENGALS

Cincy sure looked darn good Sunday. (Of course, if you divide by the Browns factor, maybe they were simply solid.) Everyone got into the act: Jeremy Hill rushed for 98 yards, A.J. Green posted 102 yards in the first half and Marvin Jones contributed a nice touchdown late. Meanwhile, the defense accomplished something no NFL team has been able to do: contain Austin Davis. Full Article

NFL Week 13 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Which two teams will face in Super Bowl 50. I say it will be Carolina vs New England. Those are the two best teams in the NFL. New England will get back to their winning ways and Carolina will finish the regular season without a loss. For the other good teams like Arizona, Seattle and Denver they will have to wait another year. The NFL regular season is coming to end and for teams who are out of it,now you become a football fan. Well Thanks for reading.

NFL Week 12 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The Patriots lose in Overtime, Raiders win in the East Coast, Carolina is still undefeated, the Falcons look lost and the 49ers lose but the Refs had something to do with it. The officiating was very bad on Sunday. The Raiders and 49ers had some bad calls in the game. For the 49ers it costed them the win against Arizona. Luckily for the Raiders, they found a way to win against the Titans and the Refs.

NFL Week 12 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Carr throws TD with 1:21 left as Raiders edge Titans 24-21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Oakland Raiders found a way to pull out a win on a wet, sloppy day. A quarterback with a little bit of experience certainly helped.

Along with a very timely flag.

Derek Carr threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts with 1:21 left after Oakland appeared to turn it over on downs, and the Raiders stopped a three-game skid by edging the Tennessee Titans 24-21 Sunday.

The Raiders (5-6) blew a 17-6 lead in the third quarter but recovered in time to snap a three-game skid to the Titans, winning for just the second time in seven trips to Tennessee.

"I'm really proud of the way they guys stayed in it," Oakland coach Jack Del Rio said. "It was tough. There was a reason to be discouraged. You're in control of the game, you fumble it and all of a sudden they go down and get a score. And it's `Oh my gosh, what are we going to do?' Well, we're going to go down there and find a way to get it in there and get a score." Full Article

NFL Week 12 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

On Monday the NFL said that holding call in the Raiders game on the last drive should not have been called. Boo who, I'm sorry but how many bad calls are made and the NFL does not come out and say anything. In the same game there was a flag for defenseless receiver that was picked up on the Raiders. Why didn't the NFL say anything about that. I always say do not let the Refs determine the outcome of the game. If you do that then you have no excuses. The referee's this year seem not to be all there. Then we hear that the NFL has suspended the Referee crew who officiated that 49ers and Cardinal game. Every game there is going to be a call that was missed. I think the NFL needs to make the referees full time employees. The NFL makes enough money, the commissioner make $44 million a year. Until some major change happens, we will keep getting games where the referees determine the outcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

The Warriors 16-0 Best Start | Nasser Erakat

The Golden Warriors made NBA history on Tuesday night against the Lakers. The Warriors won by 34 but the game was over in the First quarter. We all heard of the

 talk before the season started how the "Warriors got lucky." I guess 16-0 is lucky too but wait LeBron James says that the Warriors are the healthiest team he has ever seen. Let me help Lebron, the Warriors have yet to have their head coach, Andrew Boget missed a few games, Clay Thompson also missed a game and Leandro Barbosa had to deal with family issues. I can't believe how so many people are jealous of the Warriors. Instead of trying to see them fail or make excuses why they are winning, appreciate this team. Last year the best team in the NBA won the championship and that's how it is suppose to be.

The Warriors 16-0 Best Start | Nasser Erakat

Warriors break one mark, now set sights on Lakers' all-time record streak

OAKLAND – So … now what for these must-watch Golden State Warriors?

Having downed the Los Angeles Lakers 111-77 Tuesday night at Oracle Arena to improve to 16-0 and set a new record for best regular season start in the NBA’s 70-year history, the next-best record in their sights is the 1971-72 Lakers’ 33-game

winning streak. That's down the road, so we’ll settle for this bit of more-reasonable musing: might the Warriors head into their Christmas Day Finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers a perfect 28-0?

It they remain healthy - and maybe squeeze in a nap or two over the next month - it’s entirely do-able.

In terms of strength of opponents, it’s safe to say the Warriors will be the odds-on favorites at Phoenix, vs. Sacramento, at Utah, at Charlotte, at Toronto, at Brooklyn, at Indiana, at Boston, at Milwaukee, vs. Phoenix, vs. Milwaukee and vs. Utah.

Here’s a deeper look… Full Article 

The Warriors 16-0 Best Start | Nasser Erakat

The Golden State Warriors play against a good Suns team Friday night. Can they continue their winning ways? They will start a tough road trip starting next week. If they win tonight against-the Suns and play against the Kings at Home, if hey are able to win both games and go 18-0 what an accomplishment. I want the Warriors to get a good enough lead so they can rest players. 16-0 is great but I want another NBA title in Golden State. That to me is the goal, not how many games you can win in a row. I will tell you this, it is nice to see that the Warriors are on top of the NBA. I do see this Warriors team winning another title. It's a exciting time to be a Warriors fan. I hope you enjoyed this article, thanks for taking the time to read it.

NFL Week 11 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Well this time I am going to start with the Raiders and also the 49ers. First the Raiders, how do you not score any points in the first half. It seemed that the 

Raiders did not want to play on Sunday. It seemed that they had no feeling. What is wrong with Cooper dropping all those balls. Why didn't the coaches take more chance and the catch the Crabtree made out of bound, Challenge the play. You can't take your time outs with you. The Raiders on Sunday did not look hungry at all. I am still hoping for my 6 win season. As for the 49ers, I heard all week from 49ers fans that, they were going to beat Seattle, really? I was so confused why the 49ers thought that they would win. Was it because Blaine Gabbert won a game against the Falcons who just keep losing. This season was over when the 49ers got rid of their coach.

NFL Week 11 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Blaine Gabbert gives the 49ers' brass food for thought

SEATTLE -- The quarterback gig belongs to Blaine Gabbert now, with Colin Kaepernick on injured reserve, though no one associated with the San Francisco 49ers is about to anoint Gabbert as the guy beyond the Jan. 3 season finale.

And that’s the smart thing to do, even as Niners general manager Trent Baalke was noncommittal about Kaepernick, his looming left-shoulder surgery and $11.9 million of his contract for 2016 becoming guaranteed on April 1.

But with the way Gabbert played in stretches Sunday in the most notorious venue in the NFL, against the vaunted Legion of Boom, he may have given the front office and coaching staff (should they survive) something to think about.

Yes, even in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.

“I thought that Blaine and the poise he showed today was really good,” Niners coach Jim Tomsula said. “He used his feet. He used his arm. He got himself out of some things. He kept his eyes down the field and made some plays.

“I’m not into moral victories, but that was encouraging.”

And food for thought.

Because while Gabbert and the Niners' offense sleepwalked through most of the first half, it came to life with a 2-minute drill before halftime. Gabbert took the Niners 92 yards in nine plays and 91 seconds, his 19-yard hookup with tight end Vance McDonald the first touchdown pass the 49ers had thrown against the Seahawks since Week 14 of the 2013 season. Full Article

NFL Week 11 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The Carolina Panthers and New England may be two undefeated teams playing in the Super Bowl in Santa Clara in February.  I think Carolina is the better team because they are blowing out teams. New England is winning but the games are close. For the Bengals, I still think they will face New England in the AFC Championship. In the NFC, Carolina and Arizona might be playing. Thanks for reading.

NFL Week 10 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Is Peyton Manning finished for this year. It is always sad to see the great ones not able to do it anymore. The Denver Broncos were winning because of their defense but 

eventually the offense would make too many mistakes, like 4 interceptions by Manning, who got benched. The Bengals take their first loss to a backup quarterback and JJ Watt is talking smack. The Patriots and Panthers are now the only teams undefeated. Will we see these two teams in Santa Clare for Super Bowl 50. The Oakland Raiders had a very bad loss on Sunday but I am still optimistic about the new directions the Raiders are going. I still believe the Raider will go 6-10 this year and make a serious push for the playoffs next year.

NFL Week 10 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

NFL Power Rankings, Week 11: Cardinals, Vikings enter top five

RANK 1

9-0 PATRIOTS

 

Tom Brady didn't look Canton-bound Sunday. All the more reason to crown him MVP -- even on an off day, he hunted and pecked his way to Pats 9, NFL 0. Spoke with a colleague who has watched the Patriots closely over the Bill Belichick era. His takeaway: The offense looks so different sansJulian Edelman. The injured receiver's ability to get separation is vastly underrated. While Brady and Belichick have been known to make players like Edelman or Dion Lewis (or even Troy Brown) better, you can't coach shiftiness.

RANK 2

9-0 PANTHERS

Another win that felt far from pretty. But who cares? Carolina is streaking toward home-field advantage, with contributions coming from every corner. Jonathan Stewart = superb. Kurt Colemanmade plays. Ted Ginn Jr. was effective (though a house call was called back) in the return game. Overall, the special teams unit (especially punter Brad Nortman) did its job. Greg Olsen was out there doing his Greg Olsen thing.

That's the point with these dudes. The Panthers are a team of contributors, kind of like Bill Belichick's first Super Bowl team, the 2001 Patriots. And if they keep going like this, the Packers orCardinals or whoever will be playing for the NFC title in damp, swampy, Charlotte come mid-January. Full Article

 

Denver Broncos simply cannot play Peyton Manning in this state

Sunday in Denver, the irony was dripping -- and rather cruel.

A few minutes into the game, the Broncos stopped action to celebrate Peyton Manning leapfrogging Brett Favre and becoming the NFL's all-time passing yards leader.

Two quarters later, the Broncos stopped Peyton Manning.

The score was 22-0. The Broncos were getting destroyed at home by the rival (and inferior) Kansas City Chiefs. For the second straight week, nothing was working.

Gary Kubiak's quarterback was wretched, throwing haphazard ducks and completing just 5 of his 20 passes. Kubiak's QB threw four gruesome interceptions. Kubiak's signal-caller had a passer rating of zero -- a big, fat doughnut. Full Article

NFL Week 10 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The NFL is now coming into the picture for the most part. You have the Super Bowl Contenders, you have the playoffs teams and then you have the top 5 picks in the NFL draft. There is still a lot of questions bit for the most part, I think the AFC Championship will have the Patriots or Bengals in it. The NFC will have Carolina. Again it is a fun year if you are a Raiders fan, since they still have a shot to finish 500 or better. Hope you enjoyed this article, Thanks for reading.

NFL Week 9 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The 49ers benched Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert gets the start and the win. Then on Monday the 49ers announced that Blaine will start in two weeks 

against the Seahawks. It seems for Colin that his days in San Francisco are over. He will sit on the bench for the rest of the season and then either get traded or cut. For the 49ers they will not have to pay him the $14 million dollars owed to him next season. Is Blaine the answer in San Francisco? The Oakland Raiders played in Pittsburgh and scored 35 points but lost on a last second field goal. The Defense did not show up given up 284 yards to Antonio Brown and don't forget about DeAngelo Williams gaining 170 yards rushing. The Raiders need to regroup and play some defense on Sunday against the Vikings. Let's see how the team responds at home on Sunday.

NFL Week 9 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

Blaine Gabbert gets start again for 49ers over Colin Kaepernick

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Blaine Gabbert will be the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback for at least one more game over Colin Kaepernick, the team said Monday afternoon.

The Niners, who improved to 3-6 with a 17-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Levi's Stadium with Gabbert under center, are on their bye week and play Nov. 22 at the Seattle Seahawks.

Earlier in the day, in his weekly media conference, coach Jim Tomsula said he was not going to make the announcement until after staff meetings and meeting with the quarterbacks. "Blaine did a nice job, did some really good things with his feet and his arm and his brain," Tomsula said at the time. "Really did a nice job, so congratulations to him. Full Article

NFL Week 9 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

The New England Patriots look to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl this year. It seems that no one can stop them. There is only 3 teams left that are undefeated. Out of the AFC it is going to be New England, sorry Bengals fans. I think Tom Brady and the Patriots have a mission, to destroy everyone in front of them and win the Super Bowl in San Francisco, Tom Brady's hometown. For the Raiders they have a three game stretch that if they win, will give me a shot at the wild card playoffs. If they can win these next three games, go 7-4 they will have a real shot to make the playoffs. This season is pretty exciting if you are a Raiders fan. They are playing competitive football and for the last 12 years that is all I can ask for.

Golden State Warriors look Hungry | Nasser Erakat

Most teams after they win a championship usually start slow and take it easy, since they are the defending champs. Then when we got closer to the beginning of the NBA season, I started to hear things, like Stephen Curry didn't deserve the MVP and the Warriors got lucky to win the Championship. "What!". Stephen Curry last season didn't 

play in 17 games in the 4th quarter. You can double check that if you like, not sure of the games. The Warriors were number 1 in offense and number 1 in defense, and they were the best team with their 67 wins in the NBA.  James Harden had to play all the games in the 4th quarter. When the Warriors met the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals, what happened to James Harden. Oh yeah, he lost, just like King James. For the Clippers who said that the Warriors got lucky that they didn't face the San Antonio Spurs or the Clippers, I laugh at that statement because those teams didn't take care of business. Especially the Clippers who were up big in the series, so please don't open your mouth. Last night in Oracle the Clippers came to the Town. When the Warriors took a 17 point lead in the first half, I thought it was over. Give credit to the Clippers for coming back and even going up by 10 late in the fourth quarter. Step Curry magic, does it again. 31 points for Curry. The Warriors come back and win by 4. Great game.

Golden State Warriors look Hungry | Nasser Erakat

A 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit? No sweat for these Warriors

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors were struggling, down 10 in the fourth quarter of their much-hyped hosting of the Clippers. Then, in a flash, they ripped the game away, surging ahead for the eventual 112-108 victory. That's what tends to happen at Oracle Arena, where Stephen Curry's Warriors can put the game on fast-forward and quickly out of reach. To use Doc Rivers' parlance, Golden State is quite lucky to employ a man who destroys defenses on shots that go the distance of touchdown passes.

"We don't really get concerned. Ten points? We cover 10 points in a couple minutes," a grinning Draymond Green said. Green played center during the comeback, a furious sequence in which scrambling defense stoked a wide-open offensive attack. Green might not have been concerned, but he conceded being "pissed off" about the deficit. All the Warriors were; even normally relaxed interim coach Luke Walton was screaming and cursing in the huddle. A fire was lighted and the Clippers' lead turned to ash. Full Article

Golden State Warriors look Hungry | Nasser Erakat

The Warriors look hungrier than last year. It seems that they didn't win the championship and are looking for their first since their last one 40 years ago but they did win it and that is scary. As Stephen Curry said last night, " We're better then we were last year." I think he is right. I also do think that the Clippers and the Warriors will face each other in the Western Conference Finals this year and the winner of that game will win the Finals. Nothing against the Spurs or the Cavilers but those are the two best teams I think right now. It is early and things can change real fast but for now I am enjoying this runs by the Warriors, I think they will be able to keep it up.Thanks for taking the time to read this article I hope you enjoyed it.

NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

As I started last week, I will again start with the Oakland Raiders who destroyed the Jets on Sunday. I did not think the Raiders would have beat the number two defense of the New York  Jets. The Raiders showed no fear and went right at the Jets. They gained 

over 100 yards rushing and Crabtree had his way the Jets defense. The Raiders are on the up, this is a different team then before. The San Francisco 49ers thought that they could ship out Jim Harbaugh and not miss a beat. Why do owners think that they know football. This last offseason for the 49ers reminded me of when AL Davis traded John Gruden because he was becoming the face of the Raiders. We all know what happened, The Raiders made it to the Super and got destroyed by John Gruden and the Bucs and I don't care what anyone says, that destroyed AL Davis. Now the 49ers will bench Colin Kaepernick, bad idea.

NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Broncos make move at midseason

RANK 1

7-0 PATRIOTS

 

Hard to figure these guys rolling the way they are. Two quick theories (among 165) on the Patriots' dominance:

1) There's been continuity at the top, from ownership to Bill Belichick to the staff down to the quarterback. Too often, organizations move on from head coaches too soon, which means successful coordinators don't stay in place, either.

2) Rob Gronkowski's unique career. For all the talk of the 2007 Patriots having Randy Moss while this team's best wideout is Julian Edelman, bear in mind that Gronk is more unique than Moss was. Gronk doesn't take plays off, he can block, and he plays outside or inside. He's the big, goofy, focused queen on the chessboard.

RANK 2

7-0 BRONCOS

Love Vernon Davis. His addition via trade Monday was the sole reason for Denver's leap in the Power Rankings. Or not. Rather, the dominant showing from Wade Phillips' defense vaults this team into the top two. The Broncos authored what many would call a statement win Sunday night. And the statement was this: Our defense isn't merely good, it's the best in the league, while our offense and its quarterback can move the ball on anyone. Perhaps Peyton Manning and Gary Kubiak were simply working out the kinks in September and October. Large kinks, but still. Doesn't really matter if Denver is 7-0, huh? Everyone is circling Nov. 29 -- Patriots at Broncos on Sunday night -- on the schedule. Wonder if the thin Mile High air affects the inflation level of footballs.

RANK 3

7-0 BENGALS

 

The Bengals are 7-0 and seen as different in the eyes of the masses right now. This organization boasts the most talented roster in the NFL and certainly deserves to be atop the AFC North. But to be clear, Cincinnati didn't look too hot Sunday. The Steelers lost Le'Veon Bell to his season-ending injury early, while Ben Roethlisberger was playing his first game after missing well over a month with a knee injury of his own. The key is that the Bengals' defense was able to hold down the fort late in a game that saw the offense largely stink up the joint (especially on third down). On another note, Andy Dalton's shaved-side updo deserves way more respect. Is that Clipper 1?

RANK 4

7-0 PANTHERS

 

Well that got interesting, huh? The Colts' furious comeback should take nothing away from Carolina's 11 straight regular-season wins. Sure, the lack of a pass rush is a concern, and Ted Ginn Jr.'s hands aren't too comforting, either ... but at least one can be corrected.

The D came up big in the extra period, with Luke Kuechly catching Roman Harper's rebound and essentially sending us all to bed peacefully.

NFL Week 8 is in the Books | Nasser Erakat

It is nice to see the Oakland Raiders in the top 10 in the NFL Rankings. I predicted that the Raiders would win six games this year, they will win six and maybe more. It's fun to see the Oakland Raiders do good. As a Raiders fan the last 13 years have been bad. The Raiders are leading the wild card for playoffs, "Playoffs!". Can we really talk about playoffs? Only time will tell. They have a big test on Sunday against the Steelers. If the Raiders can get a win over there and go 5-3, that will be big for this Raiders team. Good luck Raiders. Thank you for taking the time to Read this article.