NFL Passion: Just Win Baby!!!

Just one day removed from the passing of their fearless leader, the Oakland Raiders found themselves in Houston for a battle with the Texans. This game was big before the passing of the great Al Davis, but after getting the news of his death on Saturday iut became an absolutely must win for Oakland. I could feel the intensity through my television screen. And I'm not sure if Matt Schaub just felt the Raiders should win this game or if the spirit of Davis stared him in the face on the final play as he lurked just yards from the goaline on a play which I feel he gets in if he makes a dive for it. Instead he threw up a notr so pretty lob pass to the endzone, picked off by Raiders Safety Michael Huff, sealing the 25-20 emotional win for the Raiders on the road. After the game, the Oakland team and staff spoke of Al Davis as if he had never left them.

The Texans were in control in the first half after two touchdown passes from Matt Schaub. The Raiders added two field goals and the offense finally came alive late in the half when Jason Campbell tossed a 34 yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey with 1:09 left. Oakland went for two and missed, and the score was 14-12 at the half. The game remained close until the fourth quarter when the Raiders broke it open just a bit after Jason Campbell's second touchdown pass of the day plus a Sebastian Janikowski field goal put Raiders on top 25-17 with 10 minutes to play. Houston would add just one more field goal before their final stand that ended at the 5 after Schaub's interception in the endzone as time expired. The Raiders held on for the win.

This was a close, exciting, and intense battle between two talented, up and coming teams that went down to the wire exactly as it should have. The Raiders rose uip and the Texans fell, but both teams now stand at 3-2 and have nothing to be ashamed about in their efforts on Sunday. It is absolutely awesome to see the lower level teams rise this season and the Raiders took another step in showing the NFL the Chargers are not going to run away with the AFC West. I wouldn't be surprised to see both of these teams in January, possibly for Round two. Both the Texans and the Raiders are going places this season, and the only sad thing about it is that Al Davis won't be there to see it. All the Silver and Black can do for their owner is just win baby. RIP Al.