Raiders- Falcons Week 5

Oakland Raiders  20    Atlanta Falcons  23


"As far as leaving it on the field, I thought we did that," defensive tackle Richard Seymour said.  Yes they did, but the Raiders also left opportunity on the field. This was a game that could have vindicated everyone involved with the club from Reggie McKenzie down the most seldom used scrub (Terrelle Pryor?) It was an exclamation point waiting to happen, a coming out party that never got off the ground. What we're left with is more of the same... same as it ever was!

The team's effort can't be faulted, they gave it all they had. The very essence of the game can be summed up in one series of downs. Oakland has a first goal on the Atlanta one yard line, an incompletion by Palmer  and a three yard loss by McFadden left the Raiders facing fourth down at Atlanta's 8 yard line, Allen elected to go for the easy three points. Raider law demands that those four points we gave away would come to haunt us.

For all it's worth, the ball game was decided on that drive and  Asante Samuel's 79 yd. int. return for a touchdown. Carson Palmer redeemed himself as only an elite quarterback can. Palmer drove, scratch that.... he willed the Raiders 80 yards down field in eight plays, thrice connecting with Derek Hagan. DMC then finished it off with a 2 yd. run with just 00:40 left on the clock. Matt Ryan is called Matty Ice for a reason and that forty seconds would prove to be an eternity.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who threw three interceptions in the first half against a reworked Oakland pass defense, completed two passes Jacquizz Rodgers, a short pass to Harry Douglas and two passes to Tony Gonzalez putting  Atlanta in field goal range.  Matt Barr (who had missed a field goal in the first half) nailed the game winner from 55 yds. out. Atlanta 23 Oakland 20 "Heart breaker, heart breaker,  You stole the love right out of my heart"

It's important to note that the Raiders are actually among the least-penalized teams in football this year. But their fans are convinced they're getting a raw deal, especially in Sunday's heartbreaking near-upset of Atlanta.  Now, it's not unique for fans to complain about officiating, or to truly believe that the league has it out for their favorite team. But it takes Raider fans to honestly debate whether they should file a class-action lawsuit against the NFL.

You could go to any team's message board after a loss, and find tears and recriminations (except in those fan bases who are so broken, they have no problems blaming the team and front office) Every team thinks the refs have it out for them, or that the schedule is stacked against them due to some unspoken slight or bias. It's not unique to the Raider fan base or to the NFL for that matter. It is a fact, that blaming the refs for a loss is a loser's crutch.

"This team doesn't have any quit in them," coach Dennis Allen said. "We don't take solace in the loss. We didn't put enough points on the board. There are no moral victories, but I'm proud of these guys." The Raiders outplayed Atlanta in every way possible except the final score and as any sports fan in any sport across the world will tell you, "the only thing that matters is the final score"  You play to win anything less is unacceptable, moral victories are for pussies. 

Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole assassin, Amelia Earhart landed on a deserted island and died of starvation. Sometimes there are no conspiracies, just cold hard facts. The failure of the Raiders to punch it in from the one yard line and Carson's pick by Asante Samuels caused the Raiders to lose this game... cold hard facts. Atlanta won despite being out gained 474 yards to 286. With the win the Falcons swept the AFC West and head into a bye week still undefeated. 

Any talk of Carson Palmer not being the man, should cease right now....  23-33 passing, 353 yds. Denarius Moore had 5 catches for 104 yds. and 1 td. Darren McFadden finished with 70 yds. rushing on 21 carries (he had 21 yds. called back on a holding penalty) Oakland's defense held the Falcons to just 45 yds. rushing on 15 carries. RB. Michael Turner carried 11 times for just 33 yds. The Raider defense intercepted Matt Ryan, three times (all in the first half) 

Raider Notes:

Aaron Curry, who has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp with sore knees, is slated to started practicing with the team this week. The Raiders have 21 days to evaluate Curry and decide whether he should be activated, released or placed on injured reserve. OL Mike Brisiel suffered a concussion, and was slated to undergo the league mandated testing protocol on Monday (He was cleared to play on Weds.)

Andre Carter played at right end for the Raiders, he was in on just one tackle in his first game action in almost one year. "It was a steppingstone," Carter said. "I was just very happy to be back. (I) did some good things and some things I've got to learn from." WR. Darrius Heyward-Bey returned to the field three weeks after suffering a concussion and neck injury. He didn't have any receptions, though he did run 20 yards on a reverse.

Oakland signed TE Mickey Shuler to the practice squad, releasing Nick Mondek. Shuler played his collegiate ball at Penn State. Shuler's father, Mickey Shuler Sr., also played at Penn State, before embarking on a 14-year career in the NFL. Shuler Jr. was drafted in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Vikings. He failed to make the final cut and was subsequently claimed by the Dolphins. Shuler re-signed with Minnesota, joining their practice squad in 2011, but failed to make the active roster in 2012.

It appears that the Forty Niners don't need Raiders fans around to start shit.  A Niners fan was stabbed and seriously injured near Candlestick Park shortly before the 49'ers game against the Giants. The victim is expected to survive his injuries, he was described as a 27 year old from Elk Grove,Ca.  The victim and 5 of his friends were approached by another group of Niners fans on the southwest side of the stadium and the two groups got into a verbal argument.

One of the suspects pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the torso. Police arrested two suspects ages 22 and 30 moments after the stabbing. The attackers were from Daly City and San Francisco.   The gang task force is involved in the investigation, but the stabbing is not yet considered gang-related.  Security around Candlestick continues to be an issue. Many 49'er fans admit to being wary of trekking out to the Point for games. 

Oh the fucking irony!, it was a little over a year ago that needle dick Jed York was pointing a finger at Raider fans attending pre-season games at Candlestick as the problem "a handful of people who ruin the experience for everyone else" Let's put the myth of 49'er fans being the cheese & wine set to rest. The Niners have as many hotheads & rowdies in their ranks as any other NFL team. Get wise York, your fans are out of fucking control!