In a game that was worthy of the lineage of the Denver Broncos-Oakland Raiders rivalry, the Raiders won 20-19 in a thriller at Invesco Field at Mile High to put a dent in Denver's playoff hopes.

This was a rematch of a 23-3 drubbing in week three. The lead changed hands several times and former number one pick JaMarcus Russell came off the bench to engineer the final game winning drive. The passions ran high as there were a couple of almost fights and big hits. It was everything that fans have come to expect when these two teams take the field.

Early on, it looked like it was going to be a repeat of the first meeting between the two; with the Broncos driving for two early scores and the Raiders offense unable to even convert a first down until the tail end of the first quarter. However, the worm turned in the second quarter when the Raiders took control of the game. The Raiders scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter, with the Broncos only able to run ten offensive plays for no damage.

The second half started with the Broncos driving ten plays and the Raiders and hitting a 52 yard field goal. The Raiders gave the ball back when Darren McFadden fumbled at midfield. The Broncos capitalized by driving down for their first touchdown to regain the lead.

Both teams exchanged three and outs, and the Raiders started their final drive at their own 39 with 3:29 left in the game. JaMarcus Russell was under center. The drive started out looking like a repeat of Russell's performance against the Washington Redskins with him fumbling the ball during a sack. This time, he was fortunate that the ball was recovered by one of his offensive linemen. The second play was incomplete. Then a pass interference call against Denver gave the Raiders 32 yards and set the them up near mid field. Russell was drilled at one point, knocking the wind out of him, and forcing the recently signed JP Losman to come in for one play. Russell re-entered the game and converted a 4th and 10 by hitting Tony Stewart for 11 yards. Russell would ultimately hit Chaz Schilens for the winning touchdown.

This performance will likely save Tom Cable's job. The Raiders as a team have a history of going into the tank late in seasons like this, but they keep fighting. They are 3-3 since their midseason bye week.

NOTES:

Tom Cable said that if Bruce Gradkowski is good to go, he will be the starter against the Browns on Sunday. If healthy, Charlie Frye will be the starter if Gradkowski can't go. He reiterated that either one of them would give the team the better chance to win.

Comments (4)

Wow! What a game!
written by SnBsn69, December 20, 2009

I'll take a win over the donkeys anyway I can get it. I am so very proud of Cable today "He reiterated that either one of them (Grad/Frye) would give the team the better chance to win."

Now show me two things to convince me that the Raiduh franchise really wants to win AL, cut JR and get linemen in the draft. Oh and for goodness sake let Walker go so we can move on already.

Some linemen and a stud MLB and we could be playoff caliber. I loved watching my team play today. They rocked. Film will tell the ugly truth about the problems we still have tommorow; but for tonight, I am going to bed on a WIN!

Go Raiders!

• 
• +1
• 
• 

No way!
written by JBurleigh, December 21, 2009

Missed the game and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the final score . I had to take a double take to see if it was really a win. I could give a rats ass on the win margin, any win is awesome! Imagine if we had an average QB playing like Gradkowski the whole season. Can't wait for next weekends game, it's a highly probably two win streak. Keep the faith brothers, when this crap finally turns around it will only be that much sweeter!!!! Now kick some ass.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Raiders win!!!
written by New Mexico Raider, December 21, 2009

Man that was an exciting game, the defence kick butt all day. I'll be honest my heart dropped when JR came in the game. But got to give him props he mad the throws when he needed too. Now lets see if they can hold that momentum going into next weeks game. Good win Raiders !!!

Merry Christmas to the Nation and God bless all!!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

great win, weird stuff
written by The San Clemente Kid, December 21, 2009

Ok so i missed the game on tv but heard the radio.... dont get me wrong i love the win.. but what is up with cable and knowing when to throw the red flag?
on the intentional grounding the announcers were saying frye was WAY outside the tackle box.... cable and co missed it....
some of the things cables does and doesnt do (clock management, not throwing long with seconds left in a half (and we have to run a play) and he runs it) that upsets me...I like cable but come on dude... HC is a big job, you have to do it right....

now that i got that off my chest.... nice win...

oh yeah,,, and lets do this right: announce Losman as the starter TODAY, and let him take all the first team snaps so we can see if he is worth keeping and possibly the best qb on our roster (he just won a championship with the Las Vegas Locomotives in the UFL) he will be trying his best to get the starting job in the NFL for suuure!!... so lets give him the chance to show us da skillz.... and whoop Rob me of a win Ryan's defense!!!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment