The Usual Suspects: Are the Oakland Raiders Cursed?

For the fans who showed up in the rain yesterday, you got to see the best of times and the worst of times.

When the Raiders had Bruce Gradkowski running around making plays, the Raiders looked like they wanted to win back-to-back games and prove that beating the Steelers wasn't just a fluke.

When Russell came in, you could sense in so few words...oh crud.

I'm sure other forms of communication were uttered at the game and around the world. 

After all, why would Tom Cable switch from a player who had started people talking about winning out with this clown?

Because, he didn't have much of a choice to make. 

Gradkowski was injured late in the second quarter, and from the sounds of it, may be done for the season.

Russell....well, Russell did manage one drive to get into field-goal range, but on a second drive let the fans watch him go from within the 30 to beyond midfield, well out of field-goal range.

At that time, the game was still manageable at 13-17.

Oakland was still "in" the game.

Then the wheels fell off, with Russell fumbling and getting sacked six times in a half of football.

So, what exactly happened to a team that was looking for a win against a team that was 3-9?

The first issue coming into this game was the loss of Robert Gallery.

With him out and the team forced to rearrange the players, Gradkowski was going to be busy all day long.

He still managed to get one drive deep, with Justin Fargas going airborne to score a touchdown on the day.

Sebastian Janikowski made one field goal, then when he had to, kicked it five yards from closer without a problem.

But what really derailed this team, and threatens to kill this season off, was Gradkowski's injury.

Even the Redskins' players knew that once Gradkowski was gone, Russell was a good tree.

The opposing team knew that if they put pressure on and brought different looks, they had the chance to rattle the Raiders' quarterback.

The Redskins accomplished their task.

The game wasn't all Russell's fault.

As much as the fans wanted to blame him for it, part of the blame lies on the defense.

The defense thrived in the first half of play and fell flat in the second half.

Some might guess that when Gradkowski went down, the team's morale took a hit, as well.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the game was well out of hand, and those who had come to watch a good game, left frustrated.

For the fans, I have just two questions for Tom Cable.

Can you punch out Russell on behalf of the Raider Nation?

Or can you start Charlie Frye against Denver?

I'm sure he has to be better than Russell.

Right now, Russell couldn't beat a middle school football team.

With three weeks to go in the season, all the Raiders fans can hope for is something to build on to next year.

Here's hoping for something to surprise us.