And despite everything, what happened? Jamarcus Russell came out and showed a glimpse of what much of the Raider faithful had hoped the former #1 pick would be. Russell found an open Zach Miller down the middle for an 86-yard touchdown (thanks to key blocks from rookie receiver Louis Murphy). And in the final minutes of the game, converted a big 3rd and long play to FB Gary Russell.

Numbers wise, Russell finished the game with his 6th sub-100 QB-rating. But in terms of showing a few flashes of some caliber plays? This was the biggest game of the season for Russell.

Although much due respect goes to the defense, after losing Asomugha early in the game, the Raiders held the then 3rd highest scoring offense in the NFL to three field goals while sacking McNabb six times.

For once, after all that seemed to be lost for the 2009 Raiders’ Season, the Raiders came out and surprised football nation.

…I’m sorry for ever doubting you. Silver and Black for life!

Watch the video highlights of the Raiders 13-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs out gained the Raiders with409 total yards on offense to the Raiders 166. While the Chiefs trailed the Raiders 6-3 for most of the game, the Chiefs took the lead with a 29-yard TD pass from Cassell to Bowe with 2:30 left in the 4th quarter.

Despite finding little success on offensive side, Russell led the Raiders down the field in a late impressive drive to take the lead. In a 9 play 69-yard drive, Russell connected with Todd Watkins for a big 28-yard completion and finally capped off the drive with a McFadden TD run.

Watch McFaddens TD Run (NFL.com).

After last week’s demoralizing loss to the Chargers, the Raiders came close to falling victim to the same late-game defensive collapse after Bowe’s touchdown. Instead, Jamarcus Russell made the plays when he needed to and the Raiders came away with the game despite mustering only 166 total yards.

Throughout the pre-season, the Raiders continued to draw criticism from arround the league for drafting Heyward-Bey, controversey around how the organization is run, coaches punching coaches, and continual remarks to being the worst organization, not just team, in the NFL. But Raider Nation is always here in support, and after years of rebuilding, the Raiders are here to turn their image around this year.

The Raiders now head into week 3 1-1, and look to host the Denver Broncos in the black hole.

Game Notes

• Safety Michael Huff picked off Chiefs QB Matt Cassell this week for 2 interceptions. Huff now leads the NFL with 3-interceptions.
• Greg Ellis led the defensive line this week with 2-sacks.
• The Raiders young receiving core struggled again for a second week. The Raiders totaled 99-yards passing. The Raiders receivers finished the game with 4 receptions (Watkins 1, Murphy 2, Heyward-Bey 1, Miller 0).
• The Raiders had 0 turnovers.

Led by newly acquired defensive lineman Richard Seymour, the Raiders defense contained the potent San Diego offense for the first three quarters until the final stand when the Raiders dropped the safeties and linebackers into prevent, and allowed Phillip Rivers and the Chargers to a final 79-yard game winning drive.

Despite the loss, the Raiders played a solid game and video highlights for the game can be found at the NFL Network.

Last season, the Raiders finished 5-12, and lost games to Miami, Buffalo, and Kansas City in similar fashion by playing a soft in the final minutes of the game. Perhaps, it’s time for the Raiders to believe in themselves and trust their players to do the right thing. Sure playing the team in prevent may be the safe route, but after the first three quarters, trust your players enough to allow them to play the same way they have all game; overpowering. Instead, playing back on the Chargers, Rivers and co. found numerous holes in the Raider defense that were non-existent earlier in the game.

The Raiders walked away Monday night with a very disappointing loss to open the season (though Cincinnati and Buffalo walked away with much tougher to bear late minute losses). But all-in-all, the Raiders showed lots of promise. The wide receiving core as well as Jamarcus Russell’s inexperience showed, but the Raiders defense and run game are the real deal.

So long as the team focuses around what they’re built for, the Raiders can potentially still pull out a solid 7-8 win season.

Next week, the Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. Let’s get a win boys.

Game Notes

• Richard Seymour arrived in Oakland and started the game without participating in a single full practice. Seymour didn’t disappoint, contributing to a Raiders run defense that held both Tomlinson and Sproles to a combined 77-yards on the ground. Seymour also sacked Chargers QB Philip Rivers twice in the first half.
• Raiders return man specialist and slot receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins took a hard hit in the 4th quarter on a 3rd and long play and is questionable for week 2 with a shoulder injury.
• Rookie WR Louis Murphy caught a 4th-down 57-yard touchdown pass (first TD in his career) late in the game after having a TD catch overturned by officials earlier in the game.
• Raiders first round draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey had 0-catches in a night where Raiders receivers only made 5 receptions.

In all, the strength of schedule the Raiders face are within the middle of the pack, tied for 19th amongst NFL teams with a combined 2008 opponents record of (122-132-2).

BOLD: Raiders home games

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While no player or coach wants to go to Oakland and where no team wants near T.O., Davis and Owens are meant for one another. Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis remain the likely contenders to enlist Owens’ services, the Raiders and Al Davis are the clear front runners to acquire the flamboyant receiver. 

In a quantifiable sense of Owens likelihood to join the Raiders, there’s no better authority on the matter than Vegas. According to sports-odds.com, Owens is favored to join the Raider are -200. A clear favorite, if you believe Owens will join the Raiders and want to put your money where your mouth is, you’d have to bet $200 to win $100.

Regardless what plague Owens will bring to Oakland, I remain skeptical of any tangible benefit Owens will bring to the field if he fails to get along with Jamarcus. Remember Randy Moss? A top-5 wide receiver in every season of his career EXCEPT for his time in Oakland. Owens will likely fall into a similar trend as soon as his first check cashes.

Welcome Owens or not, take his likely arrival in Oakland with a grain of salt.

Lechler currently holds the highest yards per punt average in NFL history at 46.8 yards per punt. Especially with the offense still in search of rhythm, Lechler’s powerful leg will be needed to keep the Raiders in games until Jamarcus develops into what we hope he can become.

With Lechler locked up, Al Davis and the Raiders aim to re-sign Pro-Bowl corner back Asomugha.

Raiders front office officials have yet to officially announce the decision. But the lack of an official press conference is in all likelihood due to the NFL front office’s bereavement from wanting any major news announced in the same week to detract attention from the Superbowl.

From the thin list the Raiders had to choose from, Tom Cable was the best choice and I’m glad the Raiders are bringing him back. Cable may not be a hidden football genius in the rough, but what the Raiders need right now is stability, not a messiah.

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More importantly, the head coach spot remains open for next season. Who’s available and likely to lead the silver and black next year?

Tom Cable

After Davis fired Lane Kiffen, offensive line coach Tom Cable filled in admirably and led the Raiders to two impressive wins at the end of the season against Denver and Tampa. Presumed to be the team’s front runner, Tom Cable has officially interviewed for next seasons “permanent” head coach position this past week. Though Davis is looking to interview a few more coaches, the Raiders should reach a decision in the upcoming weeks.

Kevin Gilbride

The New York Giants former offensive coordinator interviewed with the Raiders this past week. According a team executive, “It went well. He had a good interview.” Though the team had previously reported having no interest in Gilbride, Gilbride remains in the mix with Cable and Harbaugh.

Jim Harbaugh

When I first heard whispers of Jim Harbaugh’s name float through the rumour mill, I confused him with his brother John Harbaugh. John, the Baltimore Raven’s rookie coach, took the Ravens this season all the way from the bottom of the AFC North and flipped their record from 5-11 to 11-5 finishing one game out of the Super Bowl.

As for John, currently the head coach at Stanford University, is in line to interview with the Raiders. The Raiders interest in Harbaugh is mainly his influence and potential to aid development of Jamarcus Russell. However, how much interest Harbaugh has in leaving Stanford for Oakland remains in the air.

Rob Ryan

Rob Ryan, considered the most qualified for the job, has just signed on as the the head coach for the New York Jets next season.

Others

Also on the head coach firing line this season, two former Raider head coaches Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden are looking for teams. How likely are they in coming back to Oakland? Probably as likely as the league reversing the infamous “Tuck Rule.”

Bush Powers By The Bucs Defense

Hey Philadelphia Eagles fans, you’re welcome. Didn’t think the Raiders could travel from west to east and pull a road win? Didn’t think the Raiders could win two in a row since…who knows? Think the Raiders didn’t stand a chance with top receiver Ronald Curry and pro bowl corner Nnamdi Asomugha out for the game?

You know where I’m going with this. In a game where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 6-1 home team, desperately needing to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Oakland Raiders went into Tampa and gave the Bucs more than they could handle.

Despite throwing a late interception returned for a touchdown, Jamarcus Russell settled down and led the Raiders down the field on two efficient 4th quarter drives sealing the game.

As for Michael Bush, a top 10 running back out of the 2007 draft had he not broken his leg at Louisville, the second year back ran for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns including a beastly 4th quarter run to the right blowing through every Tampa Bay defender. You can watch the game highlights here at the NFL.com site. Bush’s run is on around the 2:30 mark.

As for the final game of the 2008 season, the Raiders reaffirmed hope across Raider Nation that the team is progressing. Managing to beat a tough Houston team at home and traveling into Tampa on back-to-back weeks, Jamarcus Russell has clearly developed and the new Raider backfield tandem of Fargas-McFadden-Bush provides intrigue for the 2009 season.

At 5-11, the Raiders will have the 7th overall pick ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 Draft.

As for next season’s schedule, the Raiders will face the San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens in Oakland. On the road, the Raiders will travel to San Diego, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas, New York for the Giants, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.

The Raiders have shown a lot in the final two games this season. Yet a tough off-season awaits the team as direction and guidance still remains hazy. Al Davis needs to re-evaluate his own future role in the Raiders organization. If Tom Cable doesn’t remain the coach, the Raiders need to begin their search. Asomugha becomes a free agent and the league would certainly offer him the world.

But amidst everything, Raider Nation heads into another hopefilled off-season.

How good is Raiders corner back Nnamdi Asomugha? Ask pro bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson. Coming off 3 consecutive games with a touchdown reception and over 200 receiving yards against the Tennessee Titans last week, Andre Johnson didn’t make his first reception until the 4th quarter.

As the Raiders pulled off a 27-16 home upset against the Texans, everything came together for the Raiders in Oakland today. With rain coming down throughout the game in an half empty stadium, the Oakland Raiders clicked on all aspects of the game. Asomugha and the defense shutdown a hot Houston Texans team. Fargas and McFadden controlled the ground game. While Jamarcus Russell gave Raider nation a glimpse of his potential completing 18 out of 25 passes for 236 yards while throwing two touchdowns. And shining all season, Johnnie Lee Higgins caught a touchdown and returned another spectacular punt return in the 3rd quarter to lock up the game for the Raiders.

After another disappointing season, the Raiders did their 40,000 fans at the coliseum right today by ending the last home game of the 2008 season with a win. The Raiders displayed their potential and for at least one game met the expectations of Raider Fans at the outset of the season. Rather than going out quietly, the Raiders have certainly built momentum going into the off-season today and Raider nation can hold their breaths for another season.

Highlights are available here at the NFL.com website

The Raiders meet old time coach Gruden next season for a Super Bowl XXXVII rematch in Tampa Bay next week. The Buccaneers having struggled recently themselves, I have but one small peace of advice, watch the Buccaneers-Panthers game from week 14 and run to the right.

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