Oakland Raiders Week 4 Primer: Bad News Bears

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) celebrates his fourth quarter interception against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Interception

After a game full of mistakes in coverage, containment issues, and poor tackling, the defensive heart of the Raiders stepped up to make the final play of the game. Late in the fourth quarter after the Raiders had allowed the Browns to get back into the game, the defense found itself with its back against the goal line. At this point, the Browns had driven down the field with pinpoint passes and the Raiders had to make a stop.

Oakland came out in a two high safety look. McCown snapped the ball and started his progression on the left side of the field. As the pressure from the Raiders got close, he stepped up, moved his eyes right, and saw the Raider cornerback was beat by a step. Before McCown even moved his head right, Charles Woodson broke to the sideline. McCown thought he had a small window, but even in his advanced age, the 39-year-old did the unthinkable. He made a heck of a catch.

The amazing thing about the play is, only a player with a decade or more of experience could make that play. To have the instincts and moreover the guts to abandon the middle of the field and flow all of the way to the sideline is stunning. Because he abandon the middle of the field, Barnidge was wide open. However, Woodson took a risk and understood that McCown was not going to settle on Barnidge. In the end, a hall of fame player made a hall of fame play.

Next: Week 4 Primer: Bears Breakdown