While struggling to understand a subject called topology, I encountered the theorems of a mathematician from Poland. His name was Kazimierz Kuratowski . His theorem says,

"Every partially ordered set in which every chain (i.e. totally ordered subset ) has an upper bound contains at least one maximal element ."

Well, the condition of the theorem may not apply, totally, to the situation with the Oakland Raiders, but one thing is certain: There is at least one maximal element on the Oakland Raiders team, a kicker, who has pulled us out of what could easily be a depressing year when you look at the numbers.

His name is Sebastian Janikowski, and this Polish "genius of a kicker" has saved the day in several of the 15 games the Oakland Raiders have played during the 2009 season.

Let's look at the mathematics of Janikowski during this season:

Janikowski

I have researched sets of players, comparing them, and determining the impact they have made on this season's data. Janikowski stands out. His 61 yard kick has made history.

Janikowski has a steady growth curve, indicating an upward trend in his progress as an Oakland Raider.

Here is a table that shows his progress.

Year       Total points        Long

  1. 2000       112                   54
  2. 2001       111                   52
  3. 2002       128                   51
  4. 2003       94                     55
  5. 2004       106                   52
  6. 2005       90                     49
  7. 2006       70                     55
  8. 2007       97                     54
  9. 2008       97                     57
  10. 2009       88                     61

Several observations can be made:

1. During weeks three, four and 16, Janikowski was the only Raider who made points during those games

2. During those weeks three, four and 16, Oakland would have had a shut out, if Janikowski had not performed effectively and efficiently.

3. Eight times Janikowski has scored more than 50 percent of the total points in a game, and three times, the only points made were made because of Janikowski's kicks.

4. In the total of five games Oakland has won (to date), Janikowski scored 53 percent of the points in each of Week Two and Week Six. He scored 40 percent of the points in each of Week 11 and Week 15.

5. During the weeks the Oakland Raiders loss to their opponents, Janikowski succeeded in getting 54 percent of the total points obtained.

Janikowski's passion to win was certainly demonstrated by the historic 61 yard kick in the game with the Cleveland Browns.

A reasonable conjecture would be that if all of the players executed their jobs with the efficiency and passion of the man born in Poland, Sebastian Janikowski, then the mathematics of the Oakland Raiders 2009 season would have a more "robust" result.

So, as I always do, let me stretch this analysis a bit and say,

"The Oakland Raiders have a maximal element and his name is Sebastian Janikowski."

Thanks Sebastian Janikowski for being a team player and for giving us reason for believing that 2010 will be a better year.