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Cable Is Better (At Least For This Week)
The Tom Cable era took off as the Raiders scored an upset win over the Jets. It wasn’t pretty, but I’m sure every Oakland follower will take it.
Other than the game in Kansas City (and maybe the first half against SD), this was the best the team has collectively looked in ’08. Jamarcus Russell had 203 yards and zero interceptions. There was a Javon Walker sighting as he had 5 catches, including the team’s only touchdown. The running game racked up 153 yards, more than doubling the total the Jets usually give up. The pass defense was also solid. They held Golden Brett Favre to less than 200 yards (197) and had two INT’s. Lastly, the kicking game was excellent. Shane Lechler was his usual self, averaging 43.3 yards per kick (which was quite important since he punted 7 times). Sebastian Janikowski hit three field goals, including the 57-yarder to seal the deal in OT.
There are definitely some things to work on. The run defense was ghastly, giving up 242 yards on 33 carries (7.3 yards per carry). 4th quarter game management wasn’t its best. The 3 and out that gave the Jets the ball back was too predictable. Worse than anything was the botched sideline-called timeout (before the Feely field goal). However, the positives far outweighed this week’s negatives.
When the Jets got the ball with 1:24 left in the 4th, everyone was probably expecting the same thing. One way or another, Favre would lead the team to a win. It’s not that Favre is still that great; it’s that the Raiders always (always) find a way to give away the close ones. But for once, finally, the Silver and Black played through adversity and finished what they started.
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