Game 1 of the 2009 NFL Season for the Oakland Raiders was a Monday Night showcase. The Raiders showed off their improved product and gave the Division champion San Diego Chargers a fight that left them bruised, bloodied and almost out for the count. Unfortunately, with little more than two minutes left the Raiders defense was just too punched out to stop the Charger barrage of short passes to speedsters like RB Darren Sproles. The Chargers, down by 3 points, marched 89 yards down the field and scored a touchdown with roughly 18 seconds remaining. Ballgame!
As a Raider fan I'm hurting right now. But tonight they gave me something positive with the loss, a spark of hope that this season of football I'll have more to cheer about than recent seasons past. The Raiders may have lost the game but they definitely showed the Chargers and the league that they've improved in many ways.
No drive killing penalties, No silly personal fouls, Offensive line protection, a strong defense and a running game that must be respected. They'll need to work on their passing game and special teams. Hopefully QB Jamarcus Russell just had an off night. He was late and inaccurate throughout most of the night, but still led his team in a competitive battle with a worthy opponent. Coaching needs to better identify what's working and what's not, then make adjustments accordingly and quickly.
It was a fun night at the Oakland Coliseum with fans shocked into watching their Raiders actually compete for almost a full game. The flyover of Military Jets during the national anthem was the first thrill in a night full of thrills in Oaktown. Check out this thrilling touchdown catch by WR Louis Murphy from Jamarcus Russell late in the 4th quarter; I call this catch simply: 4th-and-14
If the Raiders play this dominating style of football in the coming weeks against division opponents, I expect they'll find themselves with a winning record sooner than later.
Win Lose or Tie!
Raiders 20
Chargers 24
Heartbreaking Defeat
Dominating Loss
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