Oakland Raiders' Bruce Gradkowski (5) in action during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.(AP Photo/Ben Margot)The Oakland Raiders upset the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 with a two minute touchdown drive and a stunning special teams fumble recovery to avoid overtime.
Yes, the Oakland Raiders put themselves in position to win yet another game, however, this time they didn't chase the gift horse away. Led by new starting quarterback Bruce "Almighty" Gradkowski, the Raiders made offensive plays when it counted. Though Gradkowski isn't ready to be crowned the next Peyton Manning, he showed leadership, toughness, poise under pressure and generalship of the field in making the right reads and decisions when passing. Sure sounds like Peyton though doesn't it?
It was so obvious to us fans that the Almighty led Raiders offense showed rhythm and confidence with the game on the line. The return of WR Chaz Schilens to full health was evident in this second week of his return. Chaz didn't catch many passes, but the one or two that he did catch gave the Bengal defense another offensive weapon to worry about. Wide receivers actually caught the ball this week. I credit the catches to the softer touch that the Almighty puts on his throws as compared with Jamarcus Russell.
You can't say enough about the leadership of Bruce Almighty. The young quarterback had the entire team rooting for and supporting him every step of the way. It was reported that QB Jamarcus Russell was on the sideline waving a rally towel in circles on the final drive of the game in support of the Almighty.
The Defense played spectacular. They kept Bengals QB Carson Palmer under pressure most of the day as well as shutting down WR Chad Ocho Stinko after the first quarter. The defense may have allowed some big plays, but when it mattered most they put a stop to the Bengals potent offense and limited them to a field goal in the second half. Effective defensive schemes and blitzes put in by Raiders coaches to shutdown Carson Palmer.
Of course no Raiders special teams play has been bigger this season than the strip and fumble recovery by Brandon Myers. With 33 seconds remaining in a tie game the Raiders kicked off to the Bengals. Bengals kick returner Andre Caldwell, the goat of the game as far as Cincinnati fans are concerned, was hit by rookie TE/Special teams player Brandon Myers, who then stripped the ball out and recovered at the Bengals 17 yard line. The Raiders had enough time to setup a Sebastian Janakowski winning field goal, leaving the Bengals to try an unsuccessful hail mary pass that Nnamdi would intercept to end the game. Once Sea Bass nailed the fg kick and the crowd went wild, I knew the game was ours.
A great win for a team that's grown by leaps and bounds since benching Jamarcus Russell. Credit also goes to Tom Cable and his coaching staff for putting them in position to win the game. The offensive line protected the Almighty all day allowing no sacks and only one hurried throw where the Almighty had to take a vicious hit. The tough young quarterback stayed on the turf for a little while before getting up and shaking it off.
Today's game was dedicated to the late Raiders special teams player Marquis Cooper, who died in a boating accident earlier this year. Cooper's family was on hand to watch a game that ended fittingly with a special teams game winning play for the Raiders.
I also spotted the WBA super middle-weight championship belt being displayed on the field before kick-off. Oakland native Andre Ward won the belt last night at the coliseum by beating Denmark's Mikkel Kessler. Ward won it in the 11th round by TKO. Ward was at last week's Raiders game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Final Score
Raiders 20
Bengals 17
note: Raiders had a total of 3 penalties for 13 yards.
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