My Top Ten Most Memorable Games as a Raiders Fan

My only requirement: I had to see it LIVE!!!

1. January 19, 2003 

Reminiscent of the game a week earlier against the Jets, the Raiders spent most of the first half of the AFC Championship staying even with their opponent. Touchdown passes to Jerry Porter and Charlie Garner were matched Tennessee scores by Drew Bennett and Steve McNair. With two minutes to go in the second quarter, the Titans were holding a 17-14 lead. However, when Raider linebacker Eric Barton peeled the football from the grasp of Titan running back Robert Holcombe deep in Tennessee territory the Raiders quickly turned it into seven points. On the following kickoff, Tim Johnson forced a fumble by Titan returner John Simon. Alvis Whitted eventually recovered after a scramble and Sebastian Janikowski booted a 43 yard field goal and suddenly the Raiders took a 24-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the second half, the Titans continued 
to play tough, getting within 27-24, but in the fourth quarter the Raiders pulled away. Two demoralizing drives gave Oakland a commanding lead and finally Steve McNair could must no more magic on his own. Sturdy pass coverage by the secondary and solid pressure by the Raider defensive line forced McNair to make some bad throws. The game was a hard hitting affair on both sides with 21 total penalties in the game. In the end, the Raiders both out-hit and out-finessed the Titans and earned a trip to the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl appearance in a showdown with former head coach Jon Gruden and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was my first football championship ever.

2. November 17, 2002. 

1. VENGEANCE, VENGEANCE, VENGEANCE. November 17, 2002

The New England Patriots cost the Raiders an appearance in the AFC title game during the 2001 playoffs.  QB Tom Brady fumbled the ball only to have the call on the field overruled despite no concrete evidence that "The Tuck" rule applied to the play.  However during this 2002 game the Raider defense with 10 new defenders held the Patriot offense to just 6 points. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice combined for 137 receiving yards and QB Rich Gannon completed 28 passes for 297 yards and rushed for 1 touchdown. Specialist Zack Crockett rushed for two touchdowns as the Raiders won 27-20 exacting revenge for the New England "Snow Job" 9 months earlier. Tom Brady was sacked 6 times.

2a. Vengeance October 11, 1992

The Raiders faced Buffalo for the fourth time in three seasons (2 regular and 1 postseason) and had lost the previous three matchups including the 1991 AFC Championship game. On this day the Raiders exacted revenge with QB Todd Marinovich (yes Todd Marinovich) firing 2 touchdown passes to HB Eric Dickerson and WR Tim Brown.  The Raider defense held the high powered Buffalo offense to just 3 points. The Raiders rolled 20-3.

3. January 2, 1999

The seasons final game had Oakland visiting Kansas City where the Raiders hadn't won since 1988. The Raiders chances for the playoffs were eliminated the previous week with a loss to the San Diego Chargers.  The Chiefs took a 17-0 lead setting  up the chance for a classic Raider comeback.  A blocked punt by Marquis Walker and returned for a TD by Kenny Shedd cut the Chiefs lead to ten.  Former Chief Quarterback Rich Gannon (his first start in Kansas City since leaving) threw two touchdown passes to Zack Crockett and Napoleon Kaufman to take a 21-17 lead.  Gannon would fire a TD pass to Tryone Wheatley to give Oakland a 28-24 halftime edge.  During the third quarter the Chiefs took a 31-28 lead.  RB Tyrone Wheatley responded with a 26 yard touchdown run that saw him break seven tackles.  In the fourth quarter the Chiefs took the lead again 38-31 on a touchdown toss.  The Raiders managed to tie the game on a field goal by Joe Nedney which send the game into overtime after the Chiefs missed a field goal.  The Raiders won the overtime coin toss and Gannon began the drive.  TE Rickey Dudley and WR Tim Brown caught key passes that helped set up Nedneys game winning field goal.  The loss cost the Chiefs the AFC West crown and their right to go to the playoffs. VENGEANCE again!!! This game would start a string of five straight victories against the Chiefs until it was broken during the 2002 season.  Gannon completed 25 of 47 passes for 324 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Wheatley rushed for 88 yards and Tim Brown caught 6 passes for 122 yards.

3a. December 9, 1996

This day marked the first Monday night game in Oakland since 1981.  Raider hater Al Michaels called the play by play as the Raiders faced the Chiefs and "Four-eyed" Marty once again.  Future Raider quarterback Rich Gannon started the game for the Chiefs and behind him in Kansas City's backfield was former Raider great Marcus Allen.  Since 1988 Marty had owned the Raiders as the Chiefs head coach by only losing to the Raiders twice (1988-1996 you do the math).  But on this night the struggling Raiders took it to the Chiefs and revenge for all the close loses was achieved.  By the time the fourth quarter rolled around the Oakland Raiders lead 26-0.  The scoring started in the first quarter when Raider quarterback Jeff Hostetler hit a wide open TE Andrew Glover for a touchdown.  Later Raider kicker Cole Ford added a field goal and Oakland lead 10-0 at the end of the first.  During the second quarter Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon scored his first points for the Raiders.  Unfortunately for him he intentionally grounded the ball while in the endzone giving the Raiders 2 points and the ball back.  This was the games turning point as Hostetler drove Oakland downfield and fired a 23 yard pass to fullback Derrick Fenner to increase the lead to 19-0.  Late in the third quarter Hostetler hit Tim Brown with a 10 yard touchdown pass over the middle with Brown covering the other 24 yards with his legs to give Oakland a 26-0 advantage.  The Chiefs finally scored in the fourth quarter with a Gannon touchdown pass but the game was dominated by Oakland.  The Raiders gained 315 yards total offense to the Chiefs 169.  Gannon was sacked three times, intercepted once and completed only 13 of 33 passes for just 88 yards.  Jeff Hostetler was an efficient 13 of 27 passing for 150 yards and three touchdowns.  Raider running back Napoleon Kaufman had one of his greatest games with 109 yards rushing on only 8 carries and had a key run that set up Fenners touchdown.  The Raiders defense held Marcus Allen to just 68 total yards.  WR Tim Brown added 67 yards receiving as the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs 26-7.

4. November 11, 2002.  

The Raiders visited Denver where they hadn't won since the 1994 season. QB Rich Gannon set a NFL record with 21 straight completions in a game and he fired three touchdown passes. WR Jerry Rice caught 9 balls for 103 yards for two scores and the Raider defense sacked Denver QB Brian Greise four times. Greise was intercepted once by Future Hall of Famer Rod Woodson who returned the ball 98 yards for a Raider touchdown and a 10-0 lead. The Raiders rolled despite just 27 yards rushing and 27 first downs made by the Broncos.  But the Raiders controlled the tempo throughout the game and Denver's defense could not stop Gannons efficiency.  Rich Gannon completed 34 of 38 passes for 352 yards.  On the game clinching touchdown drive during the third quarter, Gannon was 11 of 11 for 92 yards with the last 22 yards going to WR Jerry Porter for a touchdown.  When the dust settled RB Charlie Garner added 91 total ball control yards.  Raider linebacker Eric Barton made 11 tackles and a sack while All-Pro Cornerback Charles Woodson added another 9 tackles.  Rod Woodsons 98 yard return was the Raiders longest interception return since 1991.  Final score: Oakland Raiders 34 Denver Broncos 10.

5. November 5, 2001. 

Before Mike Shanahan arrived in 1995 the Raiders owned the Broncos. Until this day the Raiders had a 1-11 record against the Shanahan coached Broncos. On this Monday night game the tide turned for a day. WR Tim Brown caught 9 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. MLB Greg Biekert had 11 tackles and OLB William Thomas had a key interception that sealed the victory. QB Rich Gannon threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns as Oakland defeated Denver 38-28.

6. December 5, 1993

The Raiders traveled to Buffalo and came out with a 25-24 victory. Los Angeles assumed a 3-0 lead only to see a second field goal try by Jeff Jeager blocked.  After the block the Bills assumed a 7-3 lead off a Thurman Thomas touchdown run.  Late in the second period the Raiders marched 72 yards with newly acquired QB Jeff Hostetler firing key passes to WR Tim Brown.  Hostetler ran for a 11 yard touchdown to make the drive a successful one. Raiders 10 Bills 7.  Buffalo retook the lead before halftime when Don Beebe caught a 65 yard touchdown pass from Jim Kelly to take a 14-10 lead.  The third quarter was a game of defense with the teams exchanging field goals. Bills 17 Raiders 16.  In the fourth quarter, thanks to a Raider penalty the Bills drove down field and Thurman Thomas scored his second touchdown to give Buffalo a commanding 24-16 lead over Los Angeles.  The Raiders punted on their next possession and all seemed lost as the Bills drove downfield to seal the victory.  However, Raider Pro Bowl cornerback Terry McDaniel intercepted a Kelly pass and returned it 36 yards to give Los Angeles another chance.  The Raiders had to settle for a Jeager field goal putting the score at Buffalo 24 Los Angeles 19.  Buffalo got the ball back and began to drive up field but a key third down defensive play by cornerback Lionel Washington forced Buffalo to punt.  Tim Brown returned the Buffalo punt 15 yards to put the Raiders 57 yards away from the end zone.  Hostetler hit RB Nick Bell for 18 yards and James Jett for another 29 yards.  WR Tim Brown caught the game clinching touchdown pass, a 29 yarder from Hostetler but Jeagers extra point was blocked putting the score Los Angeles 25 Buffalo 24.  The Bills got the ball back and began to surge up field and put themselves into field goal position.  Kelly handed the ball to the reliable Thurman Thomas but Raider DT Nolan Harrision forced Thomas to fumble and S Eddie Anderson recovered it to protect the Raider lead.  With 2:47 left the play the Raiders looked to run down the clock.  Key runs by Nick Bell and a third and five clutch pass from Hostetler to Tim Brown sealed the fate of the Bills.  Final score Raiders 25 Bills 24.  Tim Brown caught 10 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown.  The Raiders offense set a team record with 25 first downs and gained nearly 400 yards total offense.  The revenge would be short lived however, Los Angeles would return to Buffalo in the divisional playoffs only to lose to the Bills in another close game.

7. January 2, 1994.  

The season finale saw the Raiders facing the Denver Broncos. The Broncos came out of the gate running and assumed a 13-0 lead over Los Angeles.  Raiders QB Jeff Hostetler drove the Raiders 82 yards and hit WR Tim Brown for a touchdown to pull L.A. within six points.  The Broncos went up by 13 again when Elway hit Shannon Sharpe for a touchdown.  With several key passes to WR Tim Brown and WR James Jett, Hostetler drove the Raiders to a field goal cutting Denvers lead to ten.  With the Raiders trailing 30-23 QB Jeff Hostetler began a two-minute drill that led to a third and goal, no timeouts left, with only a few seconds on the clock, short TD toss to WR Alexander Wright who leaped high in the air for the ball and came down with it.  The Raiders had twice come back from 17 point deficits to stay in the game.  Kicker Jeff Jeagers extra point tied the game and in overtime Jeager won the game with his right lag. What made this game so cool? Well the Raiders were fighting for the right to play in the playoffs the following week.  One week later they faced Denver again and blew them out 42-21.

7a. October 19, 1997

The Denver Broncos headed into Oakland with a 6-0 record.  Meanwhile, the Raiders went into the game at a disappointing 2-4.  Bronco coach Mike Shanahan was 4-0 versus his old team.  But this was going to be the Raiders day and the greatest victory of the 1997 season.  On the first play of the game Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman burst thru a hole for a 57 yard gain.  QB Jeff George and WR James Jett sealed the deal with a touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.  Denver tied the score only to see George hit second year tight-end Rickey Dudley for his second touchdown pass of the day.  In the third quarter the Broncos would take a 17-14 lead on a Terrell Davis run.  With 6:11 to go in the third quarter Elway and the Broncos drove downfield to seal the victory.  Elway fumbled the ball as he tried to avoid a sack and Safety Eric Turner scooped up the ball and raced 65 yards for the touchdown and the lead, 21-17.  During the fourth quarter and facing third and long, Napoleon Kaufman took the handoff and raced 83 yards for the touchdown and a 28-17 lead.   Kaufman's rushing total broke the previous Raiders record of 221 yards rushing set by Bo Jackson in 1987.  Denver would score again making the final score 28-25.  Both teams combined for 765 total yards.

8. November 30, 1987

Newly aquired HB Bo Jackson rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns on this Monday night. Seattle OLB Brian Bosworth bragged that he would stuff Jackson on this day. Bo proved him wrong by outrunning "The BOZ" on his 91 yard touchdown run and ran Bosworth over for his second TD of the night.

8a. December 28, 2002

A 3-17 record in the 1990's against the Chiefs weighed on my mind as the Chiefs traveled to Oakland for the season finale.  For the second time since 1999 the Chiefs had to beat Oakland to make the playoffs as a wildcard. On the rain-sodden Coliseum turf the Raiders trounced the Chiefs and secured home-field advantage for the playoffs.  With the weather conditions necessitating emphasis on ball control, the Raider offense turned the game over to the offensive line.  Spearheaded by Pro Bowl-bound center Barret Robbins, the Oakland ground game churned out 280 yards in the hands of Charlie Garner, Tyrone Wheatley, and Zack Crockett.  The Raiders controlled the ball for over 40 minutes, throwing the ball only 14 times.  On defense, the line and linebackers stuffed the Kansas City running attack and the Chiefs’ aerial game could not compensate.  Numerous dropped passes and timely hits by the Raider secondary kept the Chiefs from threatening to score until the game was well out of reach late in the fourth quarter.  Oakland closed the season at 11-5 with the best record in the AFC and two weeks of well-deserved rest before opening the playoffs at home. This would also mark the first occasion that the Raiders shut out the Chiefs.  Final Score Raiders 24 Chiefs 0

9. January 13, 1991.  

This is the Bo Jackson injury game. Jackson rushed for 77 yards on just 6 carries but his 6th carry ended his promising career forever. However, running back Marcus Allen replaced him and showed flashes of his former self as he rushed for 140 yards and allowed QB Jay Schroeder to play action pass for the game clinching touchdown to TE Ethan Horton. The Bengals fell to Los Angeles 20-10. The Raiders rushed for 235 yards and Bengals QB Boomer Esiason completed just 8 passes. The following Sunday the Raiders would fall to Buffalo 51-3.  As of the 2002 season the Bengals have not made nor won a playoff game since.

10. December 8, 2002

QB Rich Gannon set a NFL record with his 10th 300 yard game of the season.  The Raiders and Chargers came in tied for the division lead, and the Raiders turned the showdown into a knockdown, thanks to Gannon, Rice and a defense that handed San Diego's Drew Brees his first career three interception game.  The Raiders took advantage of a 65 yard opening kickoff return by WR Marcus Knight when Gannon handed the ball to RB Charlie Garner who plowed through the Charger defense for a 4 yard TD run.  The Raiders made it 10-0 with a Sabastian Janikowski field goal on their next drive.  The Chargers responded when San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson dove into the endzone to make the score 10-7.  Later in the second quarter Raiders Safety Rod Woodson intercepted a Brees pass and the Raiders extended their lead just before halftime with a 20 yard field goal.  Raiders 13 Chargers 7.  The Raiders still led 13-7 midway through the third quarter but took advantage of a hug momentum swing that started when Brees was intercepted by CB Tory James at the Raider 13 yard line.  Two plays later, 40 year old receiver Jerry Rice burned rookie CB Quentin Jammer (whos 23) by turning a short pass from Gannon into a 56 yard gain.  Five plays later RB Zack Crockett scored on a 1 yard touchdown run to give Oakland a 20-7 advantage.  On their next drive Rich Gannon hit Jerry Rice on a key third and five play for a 9 yard gain on the Charger 23 yard line. RB Tyrone Wheatley sealed the deal with a four yard touchdown run that sealed the Chargers fate.  Crockett converted two third and one situations on the drive.  The Chargers couldn't get LaDainian Tomlinson going despite his 154 yard performance against Oakland on October 20, 2002.  Tomlinson was held to just 57 yards rushing, 22 yard recieving and his lone touchdown.  Jerry Rice caught 7 passes for 113 yards.  Rich Gannon was 26 of 41 for 328 yards with no touchdowns and no turnovers.  Charger QB Drew Brees was 22 of 40 for 259 yards no touchdowns and three interceptions.  The Raiders also sacked Brees twice.  They also beat good ole Marty for just the 6th time in 26 attempts.  I hate Marty!!! Oakland Raiders 27 San Diego Chargers 7

 

Runner-Ups

 

1. January 12, 2002

The New York Jets defeated Oakland in the season finale 24-22.  The loss was Oakland's third straight defeat and their fourth loss in the seasons final six games.  One week later these same two teams met in Oakland for a wild card game.  This game would prove who had the better team as Oakland rolled 38-24.  Rich Gannon was almost perfect completing 22 of 29 passes for 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.  Gannon also hit eight different receivers. Halfback Charlie Garner rushed for 158 yards including a 80 yard touchdown run that sealed the win in the fourth quarter.  Wide receiver Jerry Rice caught nine passes for 183 yards and a key touchdown during the third quarter.  Oakland had perfect balance rushing for 215 yards and passing for 280.  Meanwhile, the Jets who did gain 407 yards total offense were held to 3-11 of third down conversions.  The Jets lost despite 106 yards rushing by Curtis Martin and 123 yard receiving by Wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

2. December 26, 1992

The Christmas season of 1992 wasn't a joyous time for the Los Angeles Raiders.  The final game of the season placed the Raiders in Washington versus the World Champion Washington Redskins.  With a victory the Redskins would make the playoffs and be able to defend their title.  The Raiders with a 6-9 record going into the game were out of playoff contention but on this day the greatness of the Silver and Black was going to be heard.  The first quarter was a defensive struggle and it ended with the score 0-0.  The second quarter was no different but the Redskins managed a field goal and took a 3-0 lead into halftime.  On the Raiders final drive of the half QB Jay Schroeder was replaced by 37 year old Vince Evans.  During the third quarter the defensive struggle continued until late in the period when Evans hit WR Alexander Wright with a brilliant 41 yards touchdown.  The Raiders took a 7-3 lead on just six plays.  Washington responded with a Mark Rypien to Art Monk touchdown toss and a 10-7 lead.  There had been only 17 points scored in the games first 45 minutes.  There would be 24 points scored in the final 15 minutes.  After a Tim Brown fumble the Redskins found themselves on the Raiders six yard line.  The Raiders defense reassumed their first half form and held the Redskins to a field goal in a key defensive stand.  Vince Evans hit Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, and Wright with key passes to move the ball into the Redskin red zone.  RB Nick Bell sealed the deal with a touchdown dive and the Raiders led 14-13.  The Redskins drove down field quickly and took the lead back on a short TD run by RB Ricky Ervins.  Los Angeles started their final drive on their own 20 with 117 seconds remaining in the game.  After a offensive holding penalty Evans passed to Marcus Allen for a 13 yard gain. (This would be Allens last carry as a member of the Raiders).  After a sweep netted a first down and a time out Evans hit WR Willie Gault on a perfect fly pattern for a 50 yard gain over future Hall of Famer CB Darrell Green.  Now the Raiders had a first and ten on the Redskin 8 yard line with 51 seconds left.  RB Nick Bell ran the ball twice for a total of five yards putting the ball at the Redskin 3.  Evans missed a wide open Ethan Horton on the next play setting up fourth down.  The Redskins blitzed Evans who took the heat and fired a bullet to WR Tim Brown over the middle, in the endzone for the game winning touchdown.  PK Jeff Jeager kicked the game winning extra point. Final score: Raiders 21 Redskins 20.

3. October 10, 1993

Both the Raiders and the Jets entered this game with 2-2 records.  With the Jets leading 7-0 Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler was intercepted by Jets safety Brian Washington who returned the interception 62 yards for the touchdown and a 14-0 Jets lead.  Raiders coach Art Shell replaced Hostetler with Vince Evans who fared no better against the Jets defense.  A Raider fumble led to another Jets score giving New York a 17-0 advantage with the second quarter almost coming to a close.  However with 4:41 left to play Evans with key runs by running back Nick Bell, a key pass to reserve tight end Andrew Glover moved Los Angeles to the Jets 42 yard line.  On the next play Evans dropped back and hit rookie WR James Jett on a fly pattern for a touchdown which finally put Los Angeles on the board. Halftime score Jets 17 Raiders 7.  On their opening drive of the third quarter Evans dropped back to pass facing a second and eight at the Raider 32.  From there he fired another deep pass to wide receiver Alexander Wright who outstretched his hands to make the reception and run the rest of the way for the touchdown. Jets 17 Raiders 14.  Raider linebacker forced a Jets fumble on their next series and the Raiders added a Jeff Jeager field goal to tie the game 17-17.  Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason moved his team to a key field goal to give the Jets a 20-17 lead with just 4:29 left to play.  The offense of the Raiders did not move the ball well all day with their only offensive points coming off two long bombs and a turnover.  With key passes to Raghib Ismail, James Jett and runs by Nick Bell and Evans himself put the Raiders in touchdown range.  After a timeout Evans hit WR Tim Brown on the 1 yard line giving Los Angeles a first a goal with no timeouts.  Evans completed five straight passes during the drive to give Los Angeles a chance.  With four seconds left Evans gave the ball to RB Nick Bell who plowed over the left side for the game winning touchdown.  Evans was 14 for 22 passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns.  Raiders 24 Jets 20

4. December 10, 1990

Bo vs Barry on Monday night football.  This is a game that I will never forget.  When the astroturf settled in the Silverdome Lions running back Barry Sanders out rushed Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson.  Barry struck first racing 35 yards for a touchdown on Detriots first offensive possession.  On their first play of the game the Raiders evened the score with QB Jay Schroeder hitting Willie Gualt deep for a touchdown evening the score.  On their next possession Detriot QB Rodney Peete completed a big 51 yard pass to set up Barry's second touchdown of the night.  Lions 14 Raiders 7. The Raiders punted on their next possession but Raider CB Terry McDaniel saved the day intercepting Peete and returning the ball to the Lions six.  Bo Jackson took the first handoff for three yards and then Marcus Allen covered the rest on the next play to tie the game at 14.  The first quarter ended after a big Lions drive that resulted in a Peete touchdown pass. Lions 21 Raiders 14.  As the second quarter wore on the Lions added a field goal to extend their lead to ten points.  The Raiders responded just before halftime when Bo Jackson plowed over left tackle and pulled away from all pursuit for a 55 yard touchdown. Halftime score: Lions 24 Raiders 21.  Los Angeles finally took the lead early in the third period when Schroeder fired a 10 yard touchdown pass to WR Mervyn Fernandez.  Raiders 28 Lions 24.  The Lions got the ball back only to see Peete get sacked on two consecutive plays forcing the Lions to punt the ball.  PR/WR Tim Brown returned the punt 11 yards.  Then Schroeder hit Willie Gault for 10 yards.  Then Jackson ran twice for a total of 17 yards.  Finally Schroeder fired to WR Tim Brown for the touchdown and a 35-24 lead.  As the fourth quarter clock ran down Rodney Peete ran a quarterback draw to pull the Lions within a field goal.  However the Raiders took the ball with 6:08 left to play and drove upfield with key runs by Bo Jackson and FB Steve Smith.  The Raiders added a field goal to put the game away 38-31.  The Lions last gasp was a Raider DT Howie Long sack of Peete to seal the deal.  Raiders 38 Lions 31.

5. November 24, 2002. 

On my 26th birthday the Raiders beat Arizona 41-20. Rich Gannon had his either 300 yard passing day of the season.  Rice and Brown added to their career receiving totals.  Also the Broncos lost to the Colts on a last second field goal, the Chiefs fell to Seattle and the Chargers lost to Miami.  Now this is my kind of birthday!!!

6. December 2, 2002

Tim Brown had played more games in a Raider uniform than anyone in team history and on this night the cheers of the home crowd poured down on him after his  1000th career reception. The event was made doubly special when his team held  on to a six-point win over the New York Jets. The Raider offense moved the ball  effectively throughout the game but experienced some difficulty finding the end  zone. Sebastian Janikowski took up the slack by kicking four field goals. Rich Gannon had another big game with 342 yards passing while the defense played strong against the run, stifling Curtis Martin. The only time the Jets clicked on offense was when Charles Woodson sat out several plays with a twisted ankle. New York capitalized with a Chad Pennington-to-Wayne Chrebet touchdown that made the score 23-20. After Janikowski’s last kick the Jets managed to get to the Oakland 35 before a sack and a Rod Woodson interception sealed the win and kept the Raiders in a tie for the division lead with San Diego. TIm Brown caught 8 passes for 90 yards on the day and RB Charlie Garner had another 100+ total yard effort. Raiders 26, Jets 20.

7. January 6, 2002

In the divisional 2000 playoffs the Raiders played the Miami Dolphins in Oakland.  The Raiders went 3 and out on their first drive and punted.  Miami drove up the field and had a first down and Oakland's 17 yard line.  Miami QB Jay Fielder dropped back and tried to hit WR Leslie Shepperd on a hitch pattern.  Oakland CB Tory James intercepted it and ran it back 90 yards untouched for a touchdown.  By halftime Oakland led 20-0 with a field goal added later in the first, a field goal added in the second quarter.  With the second quarter clock running out Raider CB Charles Woodson recovered a Lamar Smith fumble at the Miami 43 yard line.  Later on QB Rich Gannon fired a touchdown pass to WR James Jett to complete the scoring.  The rest of the game was a defensive struggle but Oakland managed another touchdown midway through the third quarter, a two yard run by Tryone Wheatley.  Dolphin running back Lamar Smith, who rushed for 209 yards the week before was held to just 4 yards rushing.  Fielder was a horrible 18 of 38 passing with three interceptions.  Rich Gannon completed 12 of 18 passes for 143 yards.  The victory would lead Oakland into yet another AFC Title game and another humiliating loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This was the first time that Oakland put up a shut out in the playoffs.  Raiders 27 Dolphins 0.

8. December 22, 2002

With the Chargers losing to the Chiefs earlier in the day, the Raiders were playing for the AFC West title at home against Denver. Aggressive defensive play led to Denver mistakes, a pair of turnovers and a 21-0 lead until just before halftime. Both DE Trace Armstrong and S Rod Woodson intercepted Bronco QB Brian Griese in the first half and each pick was turned into a Raider touchdown. In the third quarter the Denver offense, led by Steve Beuerlein after Griese left the game with a knee injury, began to move the ball more effectively and closed the gap to five points early in the final period. The Raider running game, which showed plenty of life all game, took over a couple of drives later when three consecutive big runs set up Zack Crockett’s second touchdown, cementing the victory and Oakland’s third straight division crown. Except for some lapses on kickoff and punt coverage it was another complete effort by the Raiders on both sides of the ball. Rich Gannon set the NFL single season record for completions, Tyrone Wheatley continued his return to being a featured part of the running game, and the defensive line turned in a superior performance against the powerful Denver ground game, as well as notching six quarterback sacks. The makeshift secondary played another steadfast game with sure tackling downfield preventing short passes from turning into long gainers. Final Score: Raiders 28, Broncos 16.

9. December 10, 2000

The New York Jets came to Oakland on Sunday night looking for a victory.  What they got was a rout for the ages.  By the time that the game ended the Jets had used all three of their quarterbacks and losing 31-7.  All of the scoring on this day would occur during the second and fourth quarters respectivly.  It stared early in the second when Raider cornerback Eric Allen intercepted a Vinny Testaverde pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.  Later in the second quarter WR Andre Rison caught a quick 7 yard TD toss from Rich Gannon.  As the second quarter clock ended RB Tyrone Wheatley scored from one yard out to put Oakland up 21-0 at halftime.  After a scoreless third quarter Rich Gannon fired another touchdown pass to WR Tim Brown and later in the period the Raiders added a field goal to extend their lead 31-0.  The Jets finally got on the board as the fourth quarter ended on a Chad Pennington touchdown pass to make the score 31-7. During the day the Jets used Testaverde, Ray Lucas and Chad Pennington who combined for just 22 of 44 passing and four interceptions. The Raiders put up 180 yards rushing and another 150 yards passing to pace the victory.  The Raider defense also added five sacks and held Jets running back Curtis Martin to just 11 yards on 17 carries.  Tim Brown added 31 yards recieving for Oakland and Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley rushed for 88 yards.

 

10. September 15, 2002

The Oakland Raider offense came out passing and never stopped.  Rich Gannon completed 43 of 64 passes, both team records, and the Raiders simply dominated the Steelers through the entire game.  Charlie Garner had his second straight superior game of the season while Jerry Rice caught 11 passes to pace the team.  The defense held up their end of the bargain as well.  Except for an opening Pittsburgh drive that ended in a Steeler touchdown, the Pittsburgh offense was never much of a threat.  Jerome Bettis was never a factor and the Raiders forced four fumbles, three of which were recovered by ex-Steeler Rod Woodson.  The special teams contributed as well.  After Pittsburgh got back into the game at 20-17 on a short scoring drive that followed Steeler linebacker Joey Porter’s return of an intercepted Rich Gannon pass, Terry Kirby returned the following kickoff 96 yards for a score, his second as a Raider setting another team mark.  With the win, Oakland kept pace with Denver and San Diego in the AFC West at 2-0.  Raiders 30, Steelers 17.