The Oakland Raiders, Winning and Losing Is a Catch Away

Last night's game could be summed up by saying that winning and losing is decided by inches.

For the Raiders, I hope that they remember how close that is.

After the Raiders had gained a 14-3 lead, they suddenly came apart, letting the 49ers go ahead 21-14. Charlie Frye, who earlier had thrown an interception to start a drive, managed to score the final points of the game on a scramble.

Then in a gutsy call, he went for two, only to have an incomplete pass leave the score 20-21. The Raiders had two last chances, one on a punt that was muffed by Nick Miller and when the Raiders failed to stop the 49ers on a third-and-10 with less than two minutes, the game was done.

Some items did look good, some bad, and some...need a lot of work.

For the Good, the Raiders appeared to take their search for a new lead WR with Chaz Schilens out. Brandon Myers stepped up with four catches for 75 yards and one touchdown. Next up was Louis Murphy, with two catches and another TD, from 24 yards out. An assorted cast of running backs and Zach Miller also got into the act, as nine different players caught passes.

JaMarcus Russell, for his excitability, did have a nice recovery when Robert Gallery and Cornell Green both set the team back big time. On a long play, Russell found Louis Murphy all alone in one side of the end zone for a quick six points. It still disturbs me that Russell can't convert from the red zone. A good solution in this case, might be for him to just complete from the deep area, at 25 yards and out.

The Bad, of course came in interceptions, muffs and injuries. Jeff Garcia was looking decent until he overthrew Johnnie Lee Higgins and was picked off by Allen Rossum.

Next up was Scott McKillop whose pick of Bruce Gradkowski set up another 49er touchdown in the 4th quarter.

And lastly was Charlie Frye, who on his first snap of the game was picked by Carlos Thomas. This led to the 49ers' touchdown drive that they took the lead on.

And of course just when you think the Raiders could get back into it...Nick Miller's muffed attempt at a punt snuffed out a major chance for a comeback...a couple plays later, came a first down and the game was done.

In terms of ugly, one simply has to look at our effort against the run. Frank Gore, who was used sparingly, got to watch Glenn Coffee on different occasions rush for 129 yards, with a 30 yard burst as his major gain. Michael Robinson, who put on a rushing clinic during the third quarter piled up 97 yards of his own. Without a good block by Ricky Manning, another first down could have lead to a 49er touchdown. Instead, they had to settle for a 51 yard field goal attempt, that was missed by Joe Nedney.

Also of note, Kirk Morrison was taken out early due to a elbow injury...two to three weeks, might cost him against the Chargers.

The one bright spot that was fun to watch was Ricky Brown's pick and run on a Alex Smith pass. Sadly, he failed to score, getting tackled by the quarterback to end the play. The play might best be said as how the game went...a great play...but on four downs, Oakland didn't score.

A field goal, would have won the game.