Pryor Sees Action in Raiders Finale vs. Chargers: Game Preview
The Oakland Raiders (4-11) will play on the road today for their 2012 regular season finale against the San Diego Chargers (6-9).
Both of these AFC West teams have had extremely disappointing seasons, especially the Raiders.
This was supposed to be the year of the “new era” with a new coach, general manager, and owner finally in full swing. Well, as their record shows, it’s been quite the opposite.
Dec 16, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) leaves the field after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 15-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Granted, they have had several injuries along the way. Running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both suffered high ankle sprains about halfway through the season and didn’t return until recently. Defensive tackle Richard Seymour has also missed the past seven weeks of action with a hamstring injury, and he has been ruled out of today’s game as well. Even Carson Palmer is injured, as he took a shot last week against the Panthers and won’t play today.
His replacement?
Well, after a lot of reporting and controversy, the starter for today’s game is going to be Terrelle Pryor.
I completely agree with the choice. Everyone knows what Matt Leinart can do. He is a solid back-up quarterback, but he hasn’t really proven that he can be a starter. So why not start Pryor and give him a chance?
He’s young, fast, and has a ton of potential. It will be good for him to finally get some actual playing time with the first team in several different game scenarios. I believe Pryor is the quarterback of the future for the Raiders, and he has a lot to prove today.
“I feel that I’m ready”, said Pryor after being asked about his reaction approaching his first NFL start. Well he better be, because he needs to show the Raiders’ coaching staff that he can help lead this team to success.
And nothing is out of reach for Pryor, either. With Russell Wilson taking over Matt Flynn’s job in Seattle and leading them to the playoffs, it wouldn’t be outrageous if Pryor beat out Palmer for the starting job and then carried them to victories. Well, it would be pretty crazy, but I believe he will do it.
The Chargers are favored by 9.5 points today, but I don’t think that will happen. I believe Pryor and the Raiders will put it all on the line and go out there and and prove what they are made of (whatever that may be), and that they will beat the Chargers with a 30-17 victory.
Tune-in to CBS at 1:25 PT to watch these two teams go out at it as the 2012 NFL season winds down.