Five Postgame Takes

1. That was like eating brussels sprouts: a tough way to get your nutrition. That was truly one of the most schizophrenic games I’ve ever seen. But it's hard to argue with a victory.

2. You had to love Sapp’s titanic sacks. You had to love LaMont starting with an evasive two-step and finishing with a little guitar. You had to love Porter streaking down the sidelines, leaving Ms. Pac Man in the dust.

3. Randy Cross is just yet another hack in a long line of anti-Raiders television commentators. Their voices always rise a few octaves whenever events force them to actually praise the Raiders, probably because they're squirming in their seats. They’re quick to criticize and generalize when it comes to the Raiders, but never canonize Raiders players like they do others (listening to the ESPN crew tonight, for example, they were about to elect Willis McGahee to the Hall of Fame for rushing for 130 yards and no touchdowns in a losing effort—I’m sure they would do the same for LaMont Jordan).

4. The Raiders and the Titans secondaries are young and relatively inexperienced. Fine, but if you’ve made it to the NFL, you should know how to tackle. That’s a non-negotiable job requirement, isn’t it? Do actors forget their lines after they've made it to Broadway? Shame on both teams. In terms of tackling, that was pathetic.

5. I said that after this game the Raiders would be 3-4, and so it is. After Sunday, the Chargers and Chiefs are definitely within our sights. The Broncos are playing out of their minds, but a visit to the Black Hole should cure that. Return to Glory: on schedule.