Raiders Comeback Falls Short
In what I thought would be a fairly easy game for the Raiders to win at home, they showed me once again that I still have no idea what kind of team they are 8 games into the season.
The game started well enough with the Raiders shutting down the Bucs first drive after punting themselves. They then got the ball back and drove down for a quick field goal by Janikowski to give themselves a 3-0 lead.
Tampa was quick to respond, and on 3&15 from their own 15. Freeman connected with Vincent Jackson for a 64 yard toss. Another 20 yarder to Jackson a few plays later put the Buccaneers on top 7-3. Good news is, the Raiders came back and got the lead 10-7. Bad news, Doug Martin.
After halftime, one Doug Martin took over the game. He put up 3 runs over 40 yards for TD's in the second half and helped the Bucs pull away. On the day, Martin had 251 yards and 4 touchdowns with a few receptions sprinkled in for good measure. The product of Oakland had a homecoming party in a big way.
Oakland made it interesting late bringing it to within a 3 point game, and even had the ball with 2:43 left in the 4th quarter on their own 40 yard line. Only to have Carson Palmer unravel after throwing over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. He threw interceptions on consecutive drives to end any chance of a comeback.
This was an ugly game, but the Raiders keep hanging tough and stay in games. I don't know what to expect from them anymore. One week they look like an upper level team and then the next they look like they don't know what defense or offense is. Another frustrating year is underway for sure. Don't look for relief anytime soon either Raiders fans, the schedule only gets tougher from here on out. Pains me to say this, but I think the cream of the AFC West crop is the Denver Broncos this year... Now I'm going to go promptly remove my fingers after typing that.
By Bill Montoya
After halftime, one Doug Martin took over the game. He put up 3 runs over 40 yards for TD's in the second half and helped the Bucs pull away. On the day, Martin had 251 yards and 4 touchdowns with a few receptions sprinkled in for good measure. The product of Oakland had a homecoming party in a big way.
Oakland made it interesting late bringing it to within a 3 point game, and even had the ball with 2:43 left in the 4th quarter on their own 40 yard line. Only to have Carson Palmer unravel after throwing over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. He threw interceptions on consecutive drives to end any chance of a comeback.
This was an ugly game, but the Raiders keep hanging tough and stay in games. I don't know what to expect from them anymore. One week they look like an upper level team and then the next they look like they don't know what defense or offense is. Another frustrating year is underway for sure. Don't look for relief anytime soon either Raiders fans, the schedule only gets tougher from here on out. Pains me to say this, but I think the cream of the AFC West crop is the Denver Broncos this year... Now I'm going to go promptly remove my fingers after typing that.
By Bill Montoya
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