AFC West: Eagles-Raiders 101809
Harsh criticism spurs Oakland's upset win
October, 18, 2009
10/18/09
10:11
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
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| Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images | |
| The Oakland Raiders were clearly motivated against Philadelphia. |
OAKLAND -- Antonio Pierce’s harsh comments about the Oakland Raiders ended up doing both the Raiders and his New York Giants a favor.
Pierce’s words woke the Raiders up, who reacted by punishing the Giants’ NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a 13-9 upset win Sunday. Somebody should ship a game ball to Pierce.
After a four-week funk, the Raiders finally played with the passion they showed in a narrow Week 1 home loss to San Diego. In the three games prior to its stunning win over bumbling and unprepared Philadelphia, Oakland was 0-3 and was outscored 96-16. The embarrassment reached a climax last week when the Giants beat Oakland 44-7. Pierce said playing Oakland was like playing a “scrimmage” and he expressed shock at how listless the Raiders were.
“I’m not going to lie, it was noticed by us,” Oakland linebacker Kirk Morrison said. “We talked about it. We don’t want people saying that stuff about us. We all agreed that we were not playing with confidence and it was time to wake up. Those comments really got us going. ... What happened to New York today. They gave up 48 points [in a 48-27 loss at New Orleans]. This is a week-to-week business … But Antonio did us a favor by saying those things.”
Oakland defensive tackle Gerard Warren had this to say: “I hope we can get to the Super Bowl and face the Giants again … [Pierce] has no effect on this locker room.”
Actually, he did, and it was positive.
Oakland rookie Louis Murphy said the players took Pierce’s comments to heart.
“We had enough,” Murphy said. “We wanted to end this nonsense.”
Murphy played a major role in ending the nonsense. The play of the game was an 86-yard touchdown pass from JaMarcus Russell to tight end Zach Miller on a 10-yard pass. Murphy, a fourth-round pick from Florida, threw two nasty blocks for Miller, who rambled into the end zone to give the Raiders a 7-3 lead. It was Oakland’s biggest play of the day and the only touchdown of the game.
When asked if that play could be the turning point of Oakland’s season, Murphy said, "I think it is."
It takes only one win to change the morale of a locker room. And for now, all is well in Oakland, whether Pierce thinks so or not.
Warren said Oakland, thanks to its win Sunday, can now focus on the good and bury the past month.
“Spaceships don’t have rearview mirrors,” Warren said. “You can only look up.”
Here are some other key developments from Oakland’s win:
Here comes the blitz: The Raiders finally unleashed the blitz Sunday. Oakland had blitzed only 20 times going into Sunday’s game.
Oakland pressured Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb relentlessly. The Raiders had six sacks, their highest total since 2005. Philadelphia had major trouble with the blitz after left tackle Jason Peters left in the first quarter with a knee injury.
“We came after them hard,” Warren said. “We wanted it.”
Eagles coach Andy Reid admitted that his team didn’t expect Oakland to blitz much and that the Eagles were unable to adjust.
Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said the Raiders worked on blitzing in practice often during the week. He said he hopes the team continues to use it more in the future. The Raiders play host to the New York Jets on Sunday. Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has been shaky in recent games, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Oakland tried to harass him.
Stopping the pass: Perhaps it was Oakland’s blitzing, but the Eagles were out of sorts all game. The team could do little right on offense and Reid tried to solve the problems in the air. Forty-six of Philadelphia’s 60 offensive plays were passes. McNabb completed 22 passes for 269 yards.
The Eagles ran the ball twice in the fourth quarter.
“We thought they would run some more, but they just kept throwing,” Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. “We just adjusted and played it pretty well.”
Oakland’s effort in the pass-defense game was admirable considering Asomugha missed most of the game with an eye injury. He said he the injury is not expected to be long-lasting.
Just enough offense: Oakland won this game on defense and because the Eagles floundered all game. But the offense did show some improvement.
Oakland had 325 yards of offense. It was the first time since Week 1 that the Raiders broke the 200-yard mark in total offense. Russell wasn’t great and he missed several open receivers. But he didn’t kill the Raiders.
He completed 17 of 28 passes. The Raiders continued to play it safe with Russell, but he looked comfortable. A key for Russell is finding Miller, his favorite target. Russell threw to Miller 11 times. Miller ended up with six catches for 139 yards.
Miller is Russell’s way out of the abyss. If Russell can rely on Miller, cut down his mistakes and throw accurately, he has a chance to salvage his season.
Rapid Reaction: Raiders 13, Eagles 9
October, 18, 2009
10/18/09
7:25
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
OAKLAND -- The Raiders will take it, but they were just handed their second win of the season.
Philadelphia was absolutely horrible Sunday. The Raiders played decently, but the Eagles made countless mistakes.
The Eagles were incapable of beating anyone, and the Raiders were the happy recipients of Philadelphia’s bumbling ways.
Will this spark a resurgence for the Raiders? Probably not, but victories are rare in Raider Nation. So, the Raiders aren’t worried about anything but Sunday’s win.
The Raiders did play strong on defense. If the defensive effort continues, Oakland will be competitive the rest of the way.
It was a much better effort than what we have been seeing from the Raiders, who were outscored 96-16 in their last three games. Oakland blitzed often and made life miserable for Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Considering the Raiders were playing without star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (he has an eye injury) for most of the game, it was an excellent effort.
Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell wasn’t terrific, but he wasn’t horrific, either. That’s all Russell has to be -- just average. This was a good afternoon to be a Raider, even though much of the victory was sponsored by Philadelphia’s porous play. But Oakland isn’t going to apologize for the win. Nor should it.
OAKLAND -- The Raiders will take it, but they were just handed their second win of the season.
Philadelphia was absolutely horrible Sunday. The Raiders played decently, but the Eagles made countless mistakes.

The Eagles were incapable of beating anyone, and the Raiders were the happy recipients of Philadelphia’s bumbling ways.
Will this spark a resurgence for the Raiders? Probably not, but victories are rare in Raider Nation. So, the Raiders aren’t worried about anything but Sunday’s win.
The Raiders did play strong on defense. If the defensive effort continues, Oakland will be competitive the rest of the way.
It was a much better effort than what we have been seeing from the Raiders, who were outscored 96-16 in their last three games. Oakland blitzed often and made life miserable for Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Considering the Raiders were playing without star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (he has an eye injury) for most of the game, it was an excellent effort.
Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell wasn’t terrific, but he wasn’t horrific, either. That’s all Russell has to be -- just average. This was a good afternoon to be a Raider, even though much of the victory was sponsored by Philadelphia’s porous play. But Oakland isn’t going to apologize for the win. Nor should it.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
The Raiders are leading going into the fourth quarter.
They hold a 10-6 lead and they have the ball. Not bad for a team that was outscored 96-16 in the last three games.
The Raiders aren’t playing great, but the Eagles are playing horribly. Let’s see if Oakland can get the job done.
The Raiders are leading going into the fourth quarter.
They hold a 10-6 lead and they have the ball. Not bad for a team that was outscored 96-16 in the last three games.
The Raiders aren’t playing great, but the Eagles are playing horribly. Let’s see if Oakland can get the job done.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
OAKLAND – You’d think the Eagles were the Raiders.
Philadelphia is playing horribly. They are playing as sloppy as team I’ve seen in a long time. They are fortunate to be down 10-6 at the half.
JaMarcus Russell looks somewhat improved. Again, the Raiders are being cautious with him. But he is moving the ball fairly well.
The key for Russell is to connect with tight end Zach Miller. The two have a nice chemistry. The Raiders are winning because of an 86-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Miller. Miller and receiver Louis Murphy made the play work beautifully. Murphy registered two big blocks on the play.
Oakland top pick Darrius Heyward-Bey dropped yet another easy pass. He's not improving.
Russell showed some nice leadership skills when he came over to Murphy on the field and patted him on the helmet after Philadelphia intercepted a ball that went through Murphy’s hands. Russell has been critical of his receivers’ hands and he has been accused of being a poor leader. So, this was a nice sign.
Eagles left tackle Jason Peters is out with a knee injury and the Raiders are taking advantage of it. The Raiders are blitzing and really beating up the Eagles’ offensive line.
Richard Seymour is having his best game since Week 1. He has two sacks so far.
OAKLAND – You’d think the Eagles were the Raiders.
Philadelphia is playing horribly. They are playing as sloppy as team I’ve seen in a long time. They are fortunate to be down 10-6 at the half.
JaMarcus Russell looks somewhat improved. Again, the Raiders are being cautious with him. But he is moving the ball fairly well.
The key for Russell is to connect with tight end Zach Miller. The two have a nice chemistry. The Raiders are winning because of an 86-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Miller. Miller and receiver Louis Murphy made the play work beautifully. Murphy registered two big blocks on the play.
Oakland top pick Darrius Heyward-Bey dropped yet another easy pass. He's not improving.
Russell showed some nice leadership skills when he came over to Murphy on the field and patted him on the helmet after Philadelphia intercepted a ball that went through Murphy’s hands. Russell has been critical of his receivers’ hands and he has been accused of being a poor leader. So, this was a nice sign.
Eagles left tackle Jason Peters is out with a knee injury and the Raiders are taking advantage of it. The Raiders are blitzing and really beating up the Eagles’ offensive line.
Richard Seymour is having his best game since Week 1. He has two sacks so far.
Raiders' Asomugha out with eye injury
October, 18, 2009
10/18/09
5:31
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
OAKLAND -- Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is back on the sideline with an eye injury.
He briefly returned in the second quarter, but had to leave again.
He missed more than a quarter. He was being attended to by several members of Oakland’s medical team.
OAKLAND -- Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is back on the sideline with an eye injury.
He briefly returned in the second quarter, but had to leave again.
He missed more than a quarter. He was being attended to by several members of Oakland’s medical team.
Vick the No. 2 QB against the Raiders
October, 18, 2009
10/18/09
4:01
PM ET
By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
OAKLAND -- The Raiders may see a lot of Michael Vick on Sunday.
He is the No. 2 quarterback behind Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb is the emergency quarterback.
Kolb had been the backup.
Vick has been playing sparingly in the Wildcat formation. But if the game is a blowout -- and it could be (Oakland has been outscored 96-16 in the past three games) -- Vick could see extensive action.
OAKLAND -- The Raiders may see a lot of Michael Vick on Sunday.
He is the No. 2 quarterback behind Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb is the emergency quarterback.
Kolb had been the backup.
Vick has been playing sparingly in the Wildcat formation. But if the game is a blowout -- and it could be (Oakland has been outscored 96-16 in the past three games) -- Vick could see extensive action.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
OAKLAND -- Oakland receiver Chaz Schilens is inactive. He was a game-time decision. Schilens has been out with a broken foot.
OAKLAND -- Oakland receiver Chaz Schilens is inactive. He was a game-time decision. Schilens has been out with a broken foot.
- Oakland receiver Javon Walker is active. He has played four snaps all season.
- Gary Russell is starting for Oakland at fullback in place of the injured Luke Lawton.
- Eagles rookie Jeremy Maclin is starting in front of Kevin Curtis, who is inactive.
- Oakland coach Tom Cable was jogging around the field about three hours before game time.
- It is a 63 degrees and cloudy in Oakland
- The stadium is empty. About 45,000 fans are expected to attend the game in the 61,000-seat Coliseum.
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