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Pats 'D' will be challenged

Here's what fans have predicted for this weekend's AFC divisional matchup between the Raiders and Patriots.

Reasons why Raiders will win
The Patriots defense won't allow as many touchdowns as the Jets did, but I figure the Raiders to still beat the Pats. In my opinion, Sebastian Janikowski is a great kicker (notwithstanding the mishap vs. Tennessee) and his accuracy has improved greatly from last year. If the Raiders can hold Antowain Smith under 100 rushing yards and make Tom Brady beat them, I don't think he can match up with Rich Gannon. I expect a fairly close game but I think the Raiders will win it by a touchdown.
Sean Kapul
San Jose, CA

The Raiders will be able to score touchdowns against the Patriots. Everyone seems to forget how potent the Raider offense is when its working on all cylinders. It's not as explosive as the Rams by any means, but it is just as effective. Last week the players finally got back on the same page and began executing Jon Gruden's offense like they did earlier in the year. As for all the talk of Bill Belichick being this great defensive guru with his innovative schemes, isn't this the same guy that the Raiders owned for a couple of years while he was employing these tactics with the Jets?
Matt
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I believe the Raiders have the edge in this game because of the experience factor. The Raiders played in the AFC championship game last season, and have numerous players in key positions with playoff experience. On the other hand, the Patriots do not have much experience in the key positions. If the Raiders can stay away from the turnover bug, look for them to win this game handily.
David Villanueva
Victorville, CA

The Patriots have a great defense, but I don't think they have enough to stop the Raiders weapons. On the other hand I think that Brady is going to fold like a letter. Troy Brown, being there only real threat on offense, will probably only catch a few on Charles Woodson.
Rob Dempster
Martinez, CA

Both of these teams play close games and try to win in the fourth quarter. I suspect the weather will clamp down on offense as well, so expect either Gannon or Brady (or Drew Bledsoe?) to lead a memorable fourth-quarter drive that decides it all. I'm going to go with my heart, rather than my head, and say Oakland by four, 24-20.
Mark Saunders
Charlottesville, VA

Reasons why Patriots will win
No one's tougher in the red zone than the Pats. Not only do they force field goals, they force turnovers. In my opinion, you can't score in the red zone if you can't pound it in with the running game, something the Pats do much better than the Raiders. I think the Raiders will score only one TD in a losing effort.
Todd Fayne
Cranston, R.I.

I think the Patriots will show how successful their defense can be. At most, they will give up one touchdown and maybe 2-3 FGs, which will give them the opportunity they need to win. The Pats defense is very underrated!
Gill
RAF Mildenhall, UK

The Patriots obviously have the edge playing at a very cold Foxboro Stadium. They should be able to keep Oakland out of the end zone by stopping Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley, and keeping Gannon grounded.
Jon Connors
Medfield, MA

There is no way the Raiders are coming into Foxborough and having their way like they did against the Jets. They will be lucky to get one touchdown against New England's defense. The Pats have one of the best red zone defenses in the NFL. With that being said I predict Patriots 28, Raiders 10.
Andrew Borysewicz
Willington, CT

The Pats will limit the Raiders offensive touchdown scoring, but the game will not be won here. The game will be won or lost depending on the offense of the Pats. Oakland will not score more than 14 points and the Pats offense has to do what it has been doing all year and score around 17 points. Neither team will be all that impressive on offense, but that is the game that the Patriots want to play and should be able to pull out the close victory.
Jason Phillips
Columbus, Ohio

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