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Studs and Duds From Week 12

Belated this week, but the show must go on!

STUDS

Marcel Reece

Quite the weapon for the Raiders. Expect him to continue to have a big role for the final five games.

Aaron Curry

Best game as a professional. He's a good player when he the play is in front of him. A good trade for the Raiders with potential to be great.

Rolando McClain

The linebackers were a big reason for the Raiders success on Sunday. McClain had a good game stopping the run and in coverage. He was in a tough position when Caleb Hanie scrambled to his right as he had to choose between covering Forte or going after Hanie. It was a big pickup for the Bears, but if McClain leaves Forte open it could have been bigger. ***I should revoke this for his actions Wednesday night in Alabama.***

Kamerion Wimbley

He did a bit of everything on Sunday. Still the best pure pass rusher on the team, he stepped up and stopped the run and he had an interception and return that would have been a touchdown if not for a horse-collar tackle at the end of the play.

Tyvon Branch

The stats rarely show it, but Branch is one of the rare players that can play at full speed and make very few mistakes. He was flying around the field on Sunday and he should get credit for being the strength of the Raiders secondary.

DUDS

The Offensive Line

The entire line got dominated by the Bears. The best of the bunch was Cooper Carlisle. The young left side struggled and Veldheer came back to earth against Julius Peppers. I might have expected it from the right side of the line, but it was a tough game for the Raiders left side. Back to work big fellas.

Carson Palmer

He made a few throws he would like back. He turns into a different quarterback when he is pressured and the line did him no favors. Could be a key going forward. He got the job done, which is a testament to him. He's a very good quarterback, but Sunday was not his best.

Stanford Routt

The touchdown he allowed on a skinny post by Johnny Knox isn't why he is a dud. He is too passive in run support and his coverage is still inconsistent. He needs to play up to his pay grade.

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