Take that Jon "Chucky" Gruden!
Take that Monte "Lane's Pa" Kiffin!
The Oakland Raiders just defeated your 13-point favored Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the the last game of the regular season, knocking their pewter & red rumps out of the NFL playoff picture. And the Raiders have running back Michael Bush to thank for it.
Granted, Tom Cable had the Raiders offensive line working on all cylinders in pass protection and run blocking. And JaMarcus Russell quarterbacked his butt off. But it was #29 Michael Bush who stepped up and delivered the much needed ball control power running. With running backs Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden sidelined with injuries, Bush welcomed the load put on his shoulders and punished the Buccaneers defense for 177 yds and two touchdowns. A huge chunk of those yards came on a 67-yard burst in the fourth quarter that ended with Bush trundling into the end zone and stunning the Bucs and their fans.
The game most definitely turned on that play. Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chad Schilens and Zack Miller gave the Raiders a credible receiving corps for a change and JaMarcus delivered with two passing touchdowns.
The defense played well enough. They let Cadillac Williams slip away for more yards than they'd have liked, but contained the Bucs running game when it counted. The final sack on Bucs QB Jeff Garcia put the game to rest and gave Raiders coach Tom Cable his fourth win of the season as head coach.
Yes Raiders fans, we have much to look forward to come next season. And though Al Davis missed only his second Raiders road game since the 70's, I'm sure he liked what he saw on television as his Oakland Raiders triumphed over the Jon Gruden led Buccaneers.
It may not have been a super bowl win, but it was a glorious display of what the Silver and Black can accomplish with strong leadership and execution on the field.
Any Given Sunday!
Final Score
Raiders 31
Buccaneers 24
note: with the loss Tampa Bay was eliminated from playoff contention. With Dallas and Chicago losing, the Bucs would have secured the final playoff spot had they won. Oh well, see you next season Chucky!
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