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Raiders win first victory of 2007 campaign
By Jeremy Kahn September 23, 2007 |
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OAKLAND-Lane Kiffin learned something from what Mike Shanahan did last Sunday in the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos. If you remember, Shanahan called a timeout just as Sebastian Janikowski was kicking a potential game-winning field goal through the uprights. After the timeout, Janikowski hit the left crossbar that gave the ball over to the Broncos, who drove down the field and defeated the Raiders. Fast forward one week, and on the final play of the game, Kiffin did the exact same thing that Shanahan did only one week earlier. Phil Dawson lined up to attempt a 40-yard game-winning field goal, but as Dawson kicked the ball through the uprights; however Kiffin informed the official that he was going to use the Raiders final timeout. "I told him I was going to call it, and he gave me the 'You're going to have to give me the signal,"' said Kiffin. "I guess I don't have as many years in the league as Mike. I got it in a second later than I wanted, but it worked out." On the ensuing play, Dawson had his potential game-winning blocked by Tommy Kelly and the Raiders hung on to defeat the Cleveland Browns 26-24. With the victory, Kiffin picked up his first win as an NFL head coach and more importantly it broke an 11-game losing streak for the Raiders. The last time the Raiders tasted the fruits of victory was on October 29, 2006, when they defeated the reigning Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Lamont Jordan ran rough shot through the Browns defense, as he carried the ball 28 times for 117 yards and scored on a one-yard plunge in the third quarter. Josh McCown threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Curry and Janikowski kicked three field goals, as the Raiders jumped out to a quick 16-0; however just like last season, when the Browns trailed 21-3, they came back to take a 17-16 lead on the Silver and Black. Jordan then scored on the one-yard run, and Janikowski kicked his fourth field goal of the afternoon, to give the Raiders a 26-17 lead. The Browns then scored on a Derek Anderson one-yard sweep around left end to narrow the Raiders down to 26-24. Unfortunately, the Raiders were unable to run out the clock and the Browns got the ball back with 1:05 remaining and no timeouts, and had the ball deep in their own territory. They got all the way down to the Raiders 22-yard line, as Dawson lined up to what looked a game-winning field goal; however Kelly blocked the ball and the Raiders escaped with a two-point victory. The Browns got on the scoreboard, as Joshua Cribbs returned a Janikowski kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. On the previous play, Janikowski kicked a 23-yard field goal to take a 16-0 lead. The Browns cut the Raiders lead down 16-10, as Dawson kicked a 23-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the first half. Braylon Edwards gave the Browns the lead, as he snared a 21-yard touchdown pass from Anderson in the third quarter. McCown was forced from the game with a leg injury, but before he was replaced by Daunte Culpepper, he went 5-for-11 for 99 yards and a touchdown. Culpepper saw the field for the first time wearing the Silver and Black, and was greeted with a standing ovation from the Raider Nation. In relief action, Culpepper went 8-for-14 for 118 yards. Kirk Morrison nearly scored a defensive touchdown, as he raced 45 yards down the sideline after he picked off an Anderson pass. It was the third interception of the season for the former Bishop O’Dowd High School product, who played his college football at San Diego State. |
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