On Any Given Sunday: Win Gives Raiders Momentum

Who saw this one coming?

One week after getting thoroughly stomped by the New York Giants, the Raiders defense came to play in Oakland, with the Raiders beating the heavily-favored Philadelphia Eagles 13-9.  The game was largely carried by the Raiders' much criticized defensive line, with Richard Seymour netting two sacks.  Offensively, the Raiders did enough to win.  While not a dominating performance by any means, Oakland's touchdown and two field goals proved to be sufficient to match the defense's domination.  Oh, and Sebastian Janikowski?  Quietly having a strong year.  Through 6 games, he hasn't missed a field goal yet.

Zach Miller's catch and run was the play of the game.  That play was textbook teamwork.  JaMarcus Russell fires a short pass to his favorite target, and trusts him to do the rest.  Miller breaks free, and rookie Louis Murphy selflessly makes a great block, and then sprints upfield to give another block.  Miller runs in for the touchdown.  Plays like that one make it feel good to be a Raider fan.

What I really love are the fans that say "A Pop-Warner team could beat the Raiders" etc.  Well, Eagles fans, as the saying goes, "On Any Given Sunday..."

The Raiders had a realistic chance of entering their bye week with a 1-7 record.  With a win against the Eagles, hopefully the momentum carries forward.  The Raiders beat the Jets last year, and will be anxious to do so again.  Afterward, possibly the biggest game of the entire season for the Raiders, the rematch in San Diego.  The Raiders can enter their bye week with a record anywhere from 2-6 to 4-4.  It all depends on momentum, improving the offense, maintaining the defense, and a little luck here and there.

On Any Given Sunday... Well, Raider Nation, let's hope we get a few more Sundays like Oct. 18, 2009.