Oakland Raiders make a statement with second convincing win in two weeks
After posting 59 points against the Denver Broncos a week ago, the Oakland Raiders' offence was at it again putting up 33 points against the Seattle Seahawks for a 33-3 victory on Sunday, 31 October.
How it happened
Raiders quarterback, Jason Campbell and running back Darren McFadden once again led the way for the Raiders as they dominated the game virtually from the opening kick-off. McFadden was typically solid,
running the ball earning 111 yards on 21 carries, while Jason Cambell was especially dominant under center in his fourth-straight start in place of Bruce Gradkowski. Campbell threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns including a huge 69-yard pass play down the
sideline to Darrius Heyward-Bey for a touchdown.
The Raiders were also dominant on the defensive side of the ball, surrendering just 162 total yards to the Seahawks. They also managed to get in on Seahawks quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck,for eight sacks.
What they're saying
With their second-straight win, outscoring their opponents 92-17 along the way, the Raiders are growing in confidence every day.
"It means we are growing, we are getting better and we got some things going in the right direction and there's some consistency with that for the first time in quite some time," head coach Tom Cable said.
"It just continues to build confidence," McFadden added. "You win one then come back the next week and flop, you're back to like zero. You win two in a row and it builds your confidence even more."
Hasselbeck was sacked the first two times he dropped back to pass the ball and Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who was the first one to drop Hasselbeck, explained how the feeling of getting to the
quarterback became infectious within the Raiders defence.
"It's like a snowball effect. I get one, he gets one, everybody wants to get one. It's like, 'Can't let them have all the fun.' Everybody wants one."
What it all means
The Raiders have everyone in the NFL taking them seriously now. With the win, they improve to 4-4 and are entrenched in second place in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs whom they host next Sunday,
7 November.
The Seahawks missed the opportunity to move into sole possession of first place in the NFC South and, at 4-3, are now jockeying for top spot with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. They get set
to host the New York Giants next Sunday.
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