Raiders Lose Game on the Line of Scrimmage

“They did exactly what we thought they would do.”--Head Coach Tom Cable

By Barbara Mason 10/03/10

Raiderdrive/Bay Area Sports Drive

Sunday afternoon the Oakland Raiders took on a very tough Houston Texan team at home.  Despite an impressive 64 yard return by Jacoby Ford on the opening kickoff, Oakland came away empty  Houston came back with a sustained drive finding the end zone 6 plays later for the early lead 7-0.  The Raiders put together an impressive drive of their own culminating with a short rush up the middle by Michael Bush for the score and the tie game 7-7.  Houston was able to take back the lead, 14-7, in the waning minutes of the first quarter as quarterback Matt Schaub connected with Joel Dreessen on a short pass for an 11 yard touchdown.

A sustained drive by Oakland in the second quarter was handled primarily by Darren McFadden and Zach Miller culminating with a Marcel Reese romp into the end zone for 13 yards and the touchdown. With the game tied at 14, both teams traded possessions in the later part of the second quarter.  With less than two minutes left in the half it appeared that Oakland was on their way to at least a field goal.  On the third play of the series, Gradkowski was sacked and coughed up the ball that was gobbled up by Houston.  Although the Texans were able to get within field goal range a 46 yard field goal attempt by Neil Rackers hit the right upright and the game remained tied at the half.

On the second play of the second half Houston’s Arian Foster broke through with a run around the right end for a 74 yard race into the end zone breaking the tie 21-14.  A 36 yard field goal extended Houston’s lead to 24-14.   Late in the third quarter a Gradkowski interception gave Houston the ball inside Oakland territory leading to yet another touchdown and a 31-14 lead for the Texans. 

The Oakland offense was able to move the ball in this game something that they have struggled with this season.  Driving downfield early in the fourth quarter Bruce Gradkowski connected with Zach Miller for a 14 yard touchdown, the score now 31-21.  Going three and out, Houston had to punt and Oakland took advantage driving within field goal range.  Sebastian Janikowski squeezed a 39 yard field goal through the uprights as the Raiders crept closer 24-31.  With less than three minutes left in the game, Oakland went out on the field hoping to tie up the game.   The tie was not to be when the game ended with a second Gradkowski interception and the victory belonged to the Houston Texans 31-24.

It was a loss and there were some costly mistakes but for the most part the Oakland Raiders played a decent game.   For once fans had something to cheer about.  Oakland was without doubt in this game until the end against a very good Houston team.   It was the two interceptions and the run coverage that finally got the better of the Raiders.  Pass protection as well continues to hurt Oakland.  The question is, how many hits can Bruce Gradkowski take before he is once again sidelined?

“I thought this game was won and lost on the line of scrimmage.  They came in here and tried to establish their running game and did a good job of it,” said Head Coach Tom Cable after the game.  “They did exactly what we thought they would do.  They are a good football team but we’re good enough to win that game; we just did not get it done on the line of scrimmage,” he said.   There was a moment in the second half when Houston was threatening to break the game wide open but Oakland fought back.  It was the inconsistencies that handed Oakland their third loss of the season.  “You can’t be like that; you have to be consistent and throw your best shot every snap and we just didn’t do that and it showed,” said Cable.

Bruce Gradkowski finished the game with 278 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.  Zach Miller had 11 receptions for 122 yards keeping Oakland in this game and Darren McFadden ran for 47 yards and pulled in 6 receptions for 82 yards before he was sidelined late in the game.

Once again as in previous games this season, the Oakland Raiders were in this game and just couldn’t pull it out.  They will next take on the division rival San Diego Chargers playing another home game at the Coliseum.