American Football Spectacular: Time For Cold Weather American Football

By SFist Christopher Rogers for "American Football Spectacular," contributing

Well, again and again, it's about the consarn pass rush. The Vikes' QB Brad Johnson is older than your Dad. He's a perfectionistic game-manager type of QB. He won't make many mistakes if you don't force him to, and so, yeah, that's what we're gonna have to do. The MIN o-line has some powerful performers like Steve Hutchinson and the huge Bryant McKinnie, but the rest of the line is dinged up with injuries. So, go get Brad, guys. Simple as that.

For the Niners offense, at least we've got RB Frank Gore. Hell, anything could be better than last week. We must convert on third down, and more often than not, that means a pass. We've gotten Jennings and Larry Allen back on the o-line, and provided they can give Alex Smith a little time, getting the passing game going will help take the focus off of Frank. Otherwise, it's going to be eight men crowding the line of scrimmage all day long for the Vikes' D.

Another issue in the Week Nine matchup will be the 49ers' classy throwback uniforms against the Vikings' motion sickness-inducing new togs. OMG, the horror! We understand that Minnesota wanted to do something -- anything -- to distance themselves from last season's various scandals, but this is just distasteful. Try not to eat too much before attending or watching the game. You've been warned.

* Oakland vs. Seattle
Monday, November 6, 2006. 6:00 PM, PST.
Week 09
The Battle Of The Bare Cupboard

The Oakland Raiders, riding a two-game winning streak (!!!), take themselves up the coast to Seattle, our former AFC West pal. Ahh, Seattle. Can you believe that Pearl Jam has been around since 1990? AFS Oakland correspondent David DeBolt knew that. And as a Raider fan, he and the rest of us couldn't be more surprised by the success in recent weeks.

Oakland's been ridin' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's defense. DB/KR Chris Carr got a hundred yards on his interception return last week against the Stillrrs. That was more yards than the offensive unit was able to get in the entire game. Yeah, that's mighty bad. But a win's a win. And the next best thing than a win is another win. So, Seattle ho!

Them Seahawks are reeling from injury. Madden 07 cover boy RB Shaun Alexander is out, franchise QB Matt Hasslbeck is out, and WR Bobby Engram is out. So, a positive set of circumstances for OAK's Rob Ryan mullet-and-shadow defense? Well, it certainly looks good with all those second string guys out there for the Seahawks.

The issue then becomes, can we get a single thing goin' on offense. If still-steady-n00bin' QB Andrew Walter can create just little bit, and RB Justin Fargas can wheedle out some yards this Monday night, perhaps the D can hang on and... dare we say it... three-game winning streak?

Next up on your American Football Spectacular: Went to the Raiders game last week, thanks to renaissance man Gordon Elgart. Sat high above the end zone and watched the defensive stops unfold. The air filled with the scent of meat, blunt smoke, and human heat. When Carr took that interception from goal line to goal line, the old Coliseum shook beneath our feet. Next to us along the row of seats were a bunch of Muslim women, and all of them wore silver hijab headscarves to represent for our Raiders. I love the Bay Area. Recaps come next. See you then.