After a season of injuries, mistakes, and a couple bright spots, the Raider Nation was given a game that few will ever forget.
A nearly flawless operation from JaMarcus Russell. Two touchdowns from Darren McFadden. A 100 yard game from Justin Fargas. And a defensive package that handcuffed a high-powered offense in their home stadium.
Welcome to the NFL, Oakland....we're glad you returned.
Back in August, we assumed this was the product that was designed by a different coach, a team that could score at will, and would control the tempo of the game. We had three brutal running-backs, several passing options, and plenty of talent in the secondary.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Then the injuries came. We'd lose guys like Drew Carter, and O'Neal before the season started. DeAngelo Hall was already banged up, not to mention burned repeatedly during the season. And there was the problem of who would we throw to.
Walker wanted to retire early in the preseason, Curry felt slighted by his demotion, and we'd see other WRs go down hurt.
But Sunday, the pieces we brought with us to Denver, showed us a greater picture, that the players we do have, right now, can win.
Granted, it took us until this week to deliver a complete team result. Earlier during the season, we were treated to heartbreaks on late leads, only to lose at the end, or fourth quarter meltdowns.
Tom Cable, do me a favor. Don't change anything on the team. It looked great Sunday.
And Oakland?
Please don't wait to show us what you can do....we enjoyed it....and we could get used to seeing this sort of offensive output, week after week.
RCA, over and out
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about 1 month ago
What Up Card Addict!
Weel said and precisely stated dude!
There should be no doubt that the Raiders have alot of talent on that team and that they should have more wins in the win column (ahem... Buffalo, Chargers and the 'phins.... cough!)
That Denver game was just what needed and hey did u know that was the first game that Cutler hasnt thrown a TD in! This team has so much room to build upon and I just dont know why it cant capitalize upon that.
It is crucial that we start winning games from now on by feeding off of that momentum that we got from the Bronco demolition!
Hey anybody see CHRIS JOHNSON! Yeah Baby CJ WAS IN THE HOUSE THAT DAY MAN! THE GUY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN HALL'S CONTRACT FROM ALL I KNOW! THE GUY IS PROVIDING NMANDI WITH A RELIABLE SIDEKICK!
I know we can absolutely annihilate those Chiefs at home and that the Chargers at San Diego can be handled as well. If we go on a winning streak, hey maybe there is even hope for a postseason appearance.... may I dare so! Hey in the divsion we are in at the moment, by all accounts it seems as if even a mouse can ompete in it!
LETS GO KILL SOME CHIEFS BABY!!!!!!
from about 1 month ago
That CJ.....who would have thought he would have made DeAngelo Hall look that bad. With his ability, he makes a good match with Nmandi, and helps move Gibril Wilson up forward. Add into the effect, that if our defense makes good quality stops, it gets them off the field quicker, and in turn lets our running game get going faster, sooner, and puts the points on the board.
Can't wait for that game....going to be a fun time.
about 1 month ago
I'm a Raider fan through and through but this is rediculous after the drubbing by the Falcons headlines are "Oakland The Black Hole of the NFL," and after this win we now have hope? Lets face the facts here this season was a wash anyway because Jamarcus decided he should hold out in 07 fine. We have had many injuries which is fair but we are still a team with a losing record in the poorest division in football. This team has not turned the corner and we took a step backwards by firing Lane Kiffin who actually inspired his players to play for him this team is still at least 2 years away from a winning season when the management realizes the game is won and lost in the trenches not with freakish athletes at the skill positions... oh yeah and cut Kwame Harris.
from about 1 month ago
Brad, there's a few things to mention, regarding the drubbing we took.
First of all, what hurt us the most, the lack of McFadden, the uselessness of Hall, or the inconsistence of our recieving corps?
All the above.
This last week, several problems were corrected. For one, we no longer have Hall, and honestly, our defense has looked better for it.
We got McFadden back, which helped us finally score on the offensive side of the board. Can you imagine what it would have been like if he could have burned some time off the clock against the Bills, for example? Or helped keep a drive alive, elsewhere in the game?
With Javon Walker off the board, we no longer have to wait and see if he will perform, we simply went around him.
Lastly, what would you attribute this win to, sheer luck? Good fortune? Or that we finally got the team out on the field that we needed? This was the denver team that beat the Falcons, and the Browns, in back to back matchups. It makes one wonder, what would have happened, if McFadden was with us for a full season.
about 1 month ago
Good points Raider Card, I thought to myself as well that the Raiders are healthy now and add to the fact that the D has played better against the pass since the release of Hall. I dont believe the Raiders have turned the corner but a win on the road against your division rival who is in 1st place of the division was a good way to start to make that turn. If the Raiders can beat the Chiefs and the Charges, they will have turned the corner within the division. That would be great considering the terrible division play over the past 5 seasons!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading Charles.
Ya, if we can get a win on Sunday, then follow up against the Chargers, it will help.
I think a lot of our turn with the Chiefs will be positive, simply because they don't have a pass rush, and have a total of 6 sacks this season....there's some players in the NFL with more sacks, than the entire Chiefs team.
The Chargers, right now are a team wondering if it's under a curse. One week they might look good, but another week, they wind up losing, like last week. They got into position to win it, settled to tie it, and then lost it to the Colts.
Sure, the odds are against us making the division title, but if we have to settle for less, get us into 2nd place, with a strong showing.
about 1 month ago
Fine article RCA - I really respect how you keep the faith through all the trials the Raiders have endured this season.
The thing about injuries is everybody has to endure them. That's where the team's depth gets tested. When Fargas and McFadden got banged up we needed Bush to really step up. When we have lost just about everybody who has lined up a fullback, the Raiders ability to find what they need on the waiver wires or other teams taxi squads gets tested.
If Kiffen was still running this show I think the Raiders would be even better now, but Al had to have his way. So be it. Getting rid of Hall is a positive thing, though it would be nice to still have those draft picks wasted on him. The o-line still needs addressing and we will not sniff a playoff spot until it is improved.
Cable has had his ups and downs. He's a good assistant doing his best in a trying situation. But I think he is over his head as an NFL head coach. Cable needs to bring home as many wins as he can the rest of the year, starting with the game against K.C. I hope he is up to the task, and I'm pulling for him to get it done.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading JC.
Ya, with Al in charge, life is never dull, that is obvious. But there comes a time, when even the players have to look around, and say, with all this talent, why haven't we done more?
Sometimes, it depends on who the person is and where he's at. Hershel Walker in Dallas was great, but didn't do so hot in Minnesota. Why? Different style of play. Hall? Same case. Hall wanted room to create, we wanted a Man to Man cover guy. Result was, we weren't going to get the results.
For some reason, Al Davis reminds me of a kid collecting cards. He wants the stars, but doesn't realize what makes them stars. And yes, injuries can stink in the NFL...I'm still wondering what could have been had Oren O'Neal not been hurt, or Drew Carter.
I won't hang Cable out to dry yet, as he seems to have gotten the clue, on what this team is capable.
Obviously, winning against KC is going to be one thing, but winning against San Diego would be quite the shocker...probably more than beating Denver. Why? Because San Diego for the last several years loved to kick us while we were down.
And Kiffin?
He's going to find college football a lot harder without Pete Carroll calling the shots.
about 1 month ago
Please, please don't get your hopes up based on a win over the Denver Broncos. Their defense is the worst defense in NFL history not put together by Matt Millen...
from about 1 month ago
Kinda hard not to, Sean. Considering how many people thought we were supposed to roll over and die.
about 1 month ago
Great point about the injuries dude. O'Neal was a huge loss. Maybe even Carter too.
Go Raiders!!
from about 1 month ago
You know it, Colin.
Win lose or die.
Go Raiders!
about 1 month ago
Why is this blog on google? Why is this picked up as news? This guy does not even cover games or go to games.
from about 1 month ago
Weeel, lets reply to each question:
Why is this blog on google? Because it's an editorial piece, and anyone google, or any search engine, would turn up a hit for Raiders, etc.
Why is this picked up as news? Again, possibly lumped into the Oakland Raider segment, probably under the umbrella clause.
As for not covering games or going to games, if you pay me 500 dollars a week, plus hotel and food expenses, I'll gladly cover every Raider game in person. Instead, I get to pick up the game via both the internet, Directv and the local stations.
Any further questions? Or would you rather write an article on your own wisdom and merits?
about 1 month ago
This thread is considered closed, due to hacked accounts highjacking it.
What's really stupid, is that if Raidersteve and his clones wanted to keep me from getting reads, maybe they should stop talking on the comments board....but that would require him to get a clue, with a brian cell attached.
BTW, no real surprise, here's the Terms of Use link at the bottom, that you're in violation of, yet again.
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As a condition of use, you promise not to use the Service for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use, or any other purpose not reasonably intended by Bleacher Report.
By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to use the Service:
1. to abuse, harass, threaten, impersonate, or intimidate other Bleacher Report users;
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Let's see, how many have been broken? Libelous? Defamatory? How about obscene, with your Reality handle? Abusive covers most of the handles....you could also use Bearing false witness, which is punishable by law in several states.... and that's just number 2.
Number 1, you're in violation of all the above.
How do you plead, Steve?
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