[sportscurmudgeon]

Big C:

Charles Woodsen USED TO BE an excellent defensive player. For the last two seasons he has been a very highly paid AVERAGE defensive player. The Raiders will be weaker without him, but this is not the same as the Ravens losing Ed Reed. Oh, by the way, Woodsen is on a one-year franchise-player contract this year and will be "available" in the off season. The Skins do NOT need him nor should they want to try to get him. He costs waaay too much given his on-field production.

This game is a must-win for both teams. The Raiders must win if they hope to finish the season as anything more than a doormat. Once the season is a "certified loss", you can look for "fatties" like Ted Washington and Warren Sapp to chow down and get even fatter than they are now and lose any pretense they have to mobility. That could happen by December 1 if the Radiers don't win on Sunday.

The Skins need to win this weekend too because the Giants and the Cowboys look as if they will win this weekend.The Skins do not want to be 2 games down in the division with only 6 left to play.

Here's the key for the weekend. The defense has to contain LaMont Jordan - not only running the ball but catching the ball. He has more catches than Randy Moss this year! If they can do that, then they take away the "short game" and then they can tee-off and go after a highly immobile QB.

Prediction: Skins win a very close game. Margin of victory is a field goal or less.