MVN: Most Valuable Network

Here it is the penultimate week of the NFL regular season. The Raiders are in the midst of yet another double digit loss season but show encouraging signs for the future unlike the last four double digit loss seasons. This week the Raiders travel to Jacksonville to take on the playoff bound Jaguars. This will be a tough road game for the Raiders, but one they may be able to pull out if they can run the ball without Justin Fargas and stop Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. JaMarcus Russell may get his first start, but still looks to split time with Josh McCown.

The Raiders were able to stifle the Colts rushing offense last season, holding Pro-Bowler Joseph Addai to under 50 yards. Now the Raiders have to do that facing the two headed monster of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. That is not going to be an easy task for the Silver and Black that has seen their rushing defense be more of a sieve than a wall this season.

Peyton Manning stayed away from Nnamdi Asomugha's side of the field for almost the entire game, with the only catch on him a circus catch by Reggie Wayne. Expect more of the same from David Gerrard. Look for Stanford Routt and Fabian Washington to get tested when the Jaguars take to the air.

Justin Fargas is out for the season, and he has been the engine that has driven the Raider offense. Dominic Rhodes will have to shake off the rust of having spent the season on the bench and Jordan will have to get back to early season form for the Raiders to make this a game.

Lane Kiffin is planning on using JaMarcus Russell in an expanded but still limited role in this game. Russell may start before giving way to Josh McCown. McCown has played well in drives where he has taken over for Russell after both of Russell's earlier appearances. If Kiffin starts Russell, it would make sense for Russell to play the first half and then McCown could take back over after half time. This would be a third preseason game for Russell and that is when things start to come together.

For the Raiders to come home from Florida with a fifth win, they have to play well in all phases of the game. Most importantly, they have to stop the run. That has been a weakness all year, and it must not be a weakness on Sunday.