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Studs and Duds From Week 7

Hard to find a dud, but I did manage to find a couple. Studs were equally hard because of the multitude of good performances, so you can really make a case for several players.

STUDS


Chris Johnson

He has taken tongue lashes from fans in recent weeks. People were saying how Walter McFadden should play more than Johnson. Boy did he prove us all wrong. Johnson routinely takes chances and he took a chance and jumping in front of a Kyle Orton pass and returned it for six points. The play started the snow ball down the hill and the Raiders never looked back. Getting beat a few times can be lived with if he makes just as many plays. Let’s hope the Raiders can keep it up.


Darren McFadden

AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He deserved it. He dominated the Broncos all day. Four touchdowns and 165 yards is a good day and you can’t take that away from him. Honorable mention to the Raiders offensive line, who had a great day against a soft Broncos run defense. He’s averaging 150 total yards per game, the most in the NFL and proving the Raiders didn’t draft a bust two seasons ago. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to lead the league in yards from scrimmage and carry the Raiders to their best record in seven years.


Jason Campbell

First drive, 43-yard touchdown to Zach Miller. He quickly erased all the bad from the week before and quieted the call for Kyle Boller. He hasn’t been consistent and he has a chance to prove he can be this weekend in Oakland. Honroble mention to Hue Jackson, who opened up the playbook and didn’t close it until the Raiders had a commanding lead.


DUDS


Darrius Heyward-Bey

Sat out the game with an illness. He’s not proving he isn’t a bust. Louis Murphy will be out this week, so it is his chance to lift the Raiders passing game. His window is closing. Typically receivers get three full seasons, but the fans should start seening signs of a breakout soon or they wont at all.


Officials

A poor call negated a Lamarr Houston touchdown on a fumble recovery. That’s terrible and cost the Raiders a chance at an NFL record scoring game.


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