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The Oakland Raiders all assured us after the Chargers game Sunday that there is no such thing as a moral victory.
Justin Fargas even went so far to add, “When it comes to San Diego.” Still, as a fan of the team you have to admire that they at least showed some heart.
San Diego ultimately won 24-16, but the Raiders made it a game in the second half, holding San Diego to one lonely field goal, and adding three to their score from the foot of the so-far perfect Sebastian Janikowski.
Janikowski’s final field goal marked his twelfth in a row to start the season. San Diego’s only second half score came on a drive that started at their own eight yard-line, and ate nearly six minutes of fourth quarter game clock.
It was after a drive by the Raiders that had cut the lead to five points. A decision to kick the field goal on of a fourth down and two with a little over twelve minutes left in the fourth quarter for Tom Cable’s team was automatic. “At that point, I was just thinking get it to within one score game,” said Cable.
It was Oakland’s second loss of the year to San Diego, and perhaps the final time the teams will meet this season. Tom Cable said this in regards to losing the thirteenth straight game to the Chargers, “Are we closer, yes, but you don’t take anything from it until you get a win.”
The Raiders had some good things working from some young guys on defense. Tyvon Branch continued to show us why he leads all NFL safeties in tackles this year. He added eight more tackles to his total of 59 on the year. The second year safety is emerging as a leader of the team early in his young career.
Michael Huff continued to play up to the high level that the Raiders thought he was capable of playing when they drafted him seventh overall in 2006. He logged five tackles and two pass deflections, bringing his deflection total to nine on the year.
Rookie defensive end Matt Shaughnessy {pronounced: shaw-nah-see} was perhaps the biggest surprise of the day for the Raiders defense “Matt played a ton, probably 80 percent of that football game, and he played very well. I am very pleased with his effort today,” Cable said. He had five tackles, a sack, and a QB pressure.
To add to the good effort of the team, the Raiders will come out of the buy with almost zero injuries to starters of the team. The returning players should include starting right tackle Robert Gallery, who without a doubt is the heart and soul of the offensive line, starting halfback Darren McFadden, starting wide receiver Chaz Schillens, starting right tackle Cornell Green, and starting kick returner and back-up wide receiver Nick Miller.
“We will get exceptionally healthy, the healthiest we have been, getting ready for Kansas City, so these next two weeks will be critical that way. You know, talking about two starting offensive lineman, a good runner, a guy that potentially is your best wide receiver, another kick returner in Nick Miller. Very excited about what the next two weeks holds for us health wise,” Tom Cable said.
Johnnie Lee Higgins showed his first real burst since the first week of the season, “Just getting him back, I think he’s finally over that injury, mentally, we got him back where he needs to be to be at his best,” Cable said.
He added that the Raiders will be doing some self-scouting during the bye week to evaluate the team and see where they are at.
The Raiders will be off on Monday and Tuesday, practice on Wednesday and Thursday, then have the weekend off and get back to their normal routine on Monday of next week.
And all is quiet in Alameda, California.
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good article bret. the san diego game definitely could have been better, but there were positives to take like you pointed out. hopefully we can put a full game together against KC and destroy them like we should, rivalry or not this game shouldn’t be close.