Raiders- Texans Game 5

I'm not going to lead off with something as blatantly sentimental as "Al Davis was looking down on the Raiders from heaven on Sunday" Although it did seem like there was something in the air. Janikowski boots three field goals from 50yds. plus, did Al guide them in? Video replays showed that The Raiders only had 10 men lined up on defense for that final play. Was it instinct that placed Michael Huff in the right spot to intercept Schaub's end zone pass or did Al nudge him over?

If you play the video in slow motion, I bet you can see Al Davis in a leather helmet rushing the line. Crazy talk? sure! but Lady Fortune found us again, and we welcomed her with open arms. It was a day for Al Davis and about Al Davis, emotions ran high as the Raiders took the field wearing black decals on the backs of their helmets with AL in silver letters. It was a day and a game befitting of a man who since 1963 had lived Raiders football. 

The Raiders had been informed by Hue Jackson of Davis' passing at an emotional meeting on Saturday. Raider hall of famer Willie Brown, summed it up: “They need to realize that every tear, every step, every block, every tackle—it’s for him,” Brown said.  A moment of silence was observed around the league, although one can imagine that in certain locales hecklers interjected.

The Raiders struggled the entire first half, Oakland did not pick up a  first down until after the two minute warning. However, they did go into halftime on a high note as Jason Campbell connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 34 yd. td. pass. Down just 14-12 after a miserable half of play, the Raiders needed only to regroup and make adjustments.

After the break, The Raiders got rolling and they took the lead for good on an 18 yd. td. pass from Jason Campbell to Chaz Schilens, which put The Raiders up 22-17. Following another Janikowski field goal to go up 25-17, Neil Rackers connected on a 48yd. fg. for Houston that left the Texans needing just a touchdown to win it. That set up the dramatic final moments of a game that will live on in Raider legend.

With under a minute left to play, down 25-20,  Schaub converted on third and 29 to set The Texans up for the winning score at The Raider 5 yd. line. With the clock winding down, instead of handing off to Arian Foster, Matt Schaub lobbed a pass into the end zone intended for Jacoby Jones, it was picked off by Michael Huff.  With the victory preserved, Hue Jackson slumped to his knees overcome by the emotion of the past two days. 

Raider Notes:

Houston put the Raiders in a hole almost immediately by scoring a touchdown on their opening series for the third consecutive game. The Raiders stayed in the game during the first half, thanks to points off a turnover and a blocked punt. Lamarr Houston's interception set up a Janikowski 54 yd. fg. and Daryl Blackstock blocked a punt that led to a Janikowski 55 yd. fg.

Sebastian Janikowski kicked field goals of 54, 55, 50 and 42 yds. The Raiders pulled off a fake punt in the fourth quarter, the first one I can recall in years. Darrius Heyward-Bey, who's selection in the 2009 draft at No.7 led to cries of derision directed at Al Davis, has really come on the last two games. Heyward-Bey had 7 receptions for 99 yds. and one td. catch.

Houston's vaunted running game led by Arian Foster was held to 70 yds., which probably led to the Texan's decision not to run the ball on that final play. Richard Seymour recovered from a miserable showing against his former team (The Patriots) by recording two sacks and shutting down the running lanes.  "Last year, we probably would have lost this game, but we grew up as a team, we continued to fight," Seymour said. 

With this crucial road win, the Raiders finished up at 2-1 against three good football squads. (Jets, Patriots & Texans) Yes, the Jets have lost three straight, but it was The Raiders that sent them into that tailspin. Up next for the Silver & Black is Cleveland, the first of three consecutive home games. Division foes Kansas City and Denver will follow, with a bye week between those games. 

Highlights: Janikowski's field goals were the difference, the man is an ungodly kicking machine. Darrius Heyward-Bey, much maligned wide receiver, his td. catch right before the half sparked the offense.

Lowlights: any jackass who booed during the moment of silence

The Other Side: Matt Schaub, he had them in a position to win, that 3rd. & 29 conversion was nails.

We got quotes:

"He's a great man, and I appreciate everything he did for me, He's up there, watching over us."  Darrius Heyward-Bey

"I wouldn't be here without him," Michael Huff  when asked what Al Davis meant to him.

"Starting out, things aren't going your way, and it's like, 'What's going on? Everybody said we'll get our breaks. Keep fighting. And that's what we did." Jason Campbell on the Raider's slow start.

"When they decided to pick me up, Al called me himself. To be a second-generation Raider, it meant a lot to go out there and honor his memory." Bruce Davis, the son of former Raider Bruce Davis. 

"I could stand. To me, I just felt like everything needed to come out. As a leader you have to wear this brave face everything now and then, but I'm human like everyone else and I do wear my feelings on my sleeves every now and then.--- Sometimes you don't want people to see all that, but at that moment I had no control over that."  Hue Jackson talking about his reaction as the game ended.