Well, the NFL just wrapped up the 11th week of play, and oddly enough, I found myself wondering why I had not written an editorial about the Oakland Raiders in these last 11 weeks. I must be sick, and no it’s not in the head.
It’s time. Although I would like to write about how great this team is and that I still believe that they will make it to the Superbowl this year, I won’t. Instead, I decided to write about how sweet revenge is in the sporting world.
After struggling to claim a victory for four weeks straight, the Raiders stepped up to the Monday night challenge last week as they played their biggest rival, the Denver Broncos.
Now as a Raider fan I understand that winning games is good, but it is even better when they’re games against the Broncos. After all, I only ask that the team wins two games each year and these are the Denver games.
I know that this community is lined with Bronco fans. In fact, I married into a family of Denver fans. The only time I’m not welcome in to my in-laws home is when the Raiders have smothered the Broncos. Lately, this has not been a problem as the Raiders have suffered miserably to the Broncos in most of the games played the past several years.
The most recent chapter in the Raiders/Broncos rivalry was wrote in bold letters by Oakland as they defeated Denver at home, 34-10.
It’s really a funny thing. Each time I visit my in-laws, we talk about sports. Not last week, my father-in-law didn’t say a word. And amazing enough, I didn’t even rub it in. I must be ill.
Regardless, it is a great feeling as a fan to know that your team has claimed a victory over their biggest rival. It’s especially sweet considering the fact that the Raiders had not won a game in Denver since 1994. That’s been a day or two, in fact, I was still in junior high and was just beginning to get hooked on watching the Raiders. It was a long time coming.
This past weekend, the Raiders played another revenge game of sorts. It was the rematch from last playoff season against the New England Patriots.
For those who do not recall, let this upset Raider fan fill you in. It was the snow game which was played for the AFC conference title. The winner would move on to compete at the Superbowl.
It was an incredible game for the Raiders who after all, live in a warm climate and seldom play in the cold and snowy weather. The decision came down to the wire, but when everything was said and done, the Patriots moved on to play for the NFL title, and they won.
Any how, the Raiders suffered the most controversial call of the season as Rich Gannon threw a pass and was knocked down. The call was made that when he was hit, Gannon’s arm was in a forward moving motion. Therefore, a roughing the passer call was not made and the ball changed hands. This is a call that will live forever in the minds of Raider fans across this great nation.
Well, last Sunday night, the Raiders hosted the world champion Patriots. To make a long story short, the Raiders dished out a loss to the Pats which will make them think about just how talented the Oakland team really is.
Who knows, football fans just might see a rematch for the AFC title this year. But as a devoted Raider fan, I like to think that the outcome will be quite different.
The taste of revenge is so sweet in the world of professional football.
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