Here we are, only three games left in the demento 2008 season and the Pats are hanging on to their playoff hopes by a thread. Three things need to happen for New England to make the playoffs: Pats go 3-0, Jets lose one, Dolphins lose one. At least one of these is guaranteed since the Jets and Dolphins play in the regular season finale so it should be an exciting last few weeks of the season.

 Let’s not kid ourselves, a loss in Oakland would be the ultimate anticlimactic end to an anticlimactic season where the Pats can't seem to beat a really good team. Luckily the Raiders aren't really good and more the kind of team that the Pats typically shred – undisciplined, no passing attack (32^nd in NFL) and just waiting for an excuse to pack it in. On to the Keyz…

1. No Turnovers – The only way for a team like Oakland to have any shot at winning is for it to be handed to them on a plate of penalties, interceptions and fumbles. Luckily the Pats are on the verge of setting a record for fewest penalties in a season, although it only takes one bad one to change a game (on a related note where was David Thomas last week?). That leaves turnovers. The Raider defense is nowhere near as bad as the Raider Offense. Nnambi Asomugha is as dangerous a corner as there is in the NFL and one that would look great as a Patriot in 2008. Cassel will have to be aware of him at all times.
2. Cassel On The Field – Of course our thoughts and prayers go out to Matt Cassel with the loss of his father this week. Strange how life works out that the Patriots were already on the West Coast making it easier for Matt to be with his family in Northridge. At the very least it’s nice to know that his father got to see him start some football games in the NFL. This has to be a hard time for Cassel but I don’t think there is any doubt that he will play. If Kevin O’Connell was forced into action it would make an interesting season even more interesting but I don’t think it will come to that.
3. Thanks for the Memories: It was a good sign that Lamont Jordan finally got back on the field last week against the Seahawks, setting him up to play against the team that let him go this week. We all know how Randy Moss became a Patriot on draft day 2007 and we all know how Al Davis cried that the Pats tampered with him, only to be reprimanded by the NFL for making false accusations. What does all of this equal? Randy Moss and Lamont Jordan ripping the Raiders apart.
4. New Blood = Third Down and Red Zone Stops: With Tedy Bruschi lost to injury and Gary Guyton not getting the job done at OLB, Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin were pressed into action against the Seahawks far more than either expected. This week expectations are different. Fully expect both to start and get even more playing time. We can’t tell from just last week if either will make a difference in the two areas of the Pats biggest weaknesses but one thing is for sure: they can’t be any worse.
5. Win : For all intents and purposes the Patriots are already playing in the playoffs. One more loss and it’s more than likely they will miss out on the tournament. You don’t want that loss to come against one of the worst teams in the NFL, no matter how good Belichick says they are. A win this weekend would guarantee a winning record in 2008 and set up a quality showdown in Foxboro with the Arizona Cardinals.