Several harrowing streaks were buried by the Oakland Raiders in what many would call a meaningless matchup between them and their "chief" rival.
The Raiders win in Kansas City for the first time since September 9, 2001. That day, the clock started ticking on safe, easy air travel for Americans. The “Tuck Rule,” Houston Texans, and Patriot Super Bowl trophies were as non-existent as American Idol. The Chucky doll was still a welcome icon in Oakland.
Even week 12’s Raider standout has a link to the past…Huggy Bear’s son, running back Justin Fargas gained 139 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown on a 14-yard dash.
"It feels good to beat the Chiefs," an elated and relieved Fargas says. "It feels good to get a divisional win and get things going in the right direction for this team."
The win brings up a 4-5-6-9-17 streak scenario for the Raiders. They build on the one positive streak - Oakland’s last four wins at Arrowhead Stadium have been by exactly three points each (1999-2001 were their last three W’s there.) Since, the Raiders had dropped five in a row in KC (‘02-‘06), and that skid is gone. A 6-game Raider losing streak on the 2007 season is history. A 9-game overall skid against the Chiefs has disappeared. And…egad, a 17-game losing spell against AFC West rivals is finally behind the Silver and Black.
"You don't really think back," Fargas adds. "You try to live in the moment. It feels so good. We haven't beaten them in so long. It feels good for the guys in the locker room to get over that hump."
Back to the present, Fargas' touchdown was the Raiders' go-ahead score with 9:34 left to play. On Kansas City’s ensuing and final offensive drive, the Raiders got a rare favor from the game’s officials, who ruled a questionable Chief pass incomplete inside the Oakland 20.
From there, instead of attempting a game-tying field goal, the Chiefs then went for it on 4th and 1 from the Raider 23. They were stopped, and never touched the ball again.
Following that, Fargas, and Oakland’s other hero of the day, quarterback Daunte Culpepper carried the offense smoothly down the field as time expired.
“I was very, very excited that we came out aggressive," says Culpeper. "I thought that it was the right thing to do at the right time."
The 8-year NFL veteran completed 15 of 22 passes for 170 yards, and threw no interceptions.
Despite the loss for Kansas City, they did catch a glimpse of the future as rookie running back Kolby Smith ran for 150 yards on 31 carries, and scored both Chief touchdowns.
"You always dream of starting in the NFL and today I wanted to take advantage of it," said Smith. "I was out there playing football and having fun."
The defeat however drops the Chiefs to 4-7.
Next up for Oakland, a chance to avenge a controversial week 2 loss in Denver, when Bronco head coach Mike Shanahan called a timeout while the snap for Sebastian Janikowski’s would-be game winning field goal was in motion.
"The whole thing is going out and remaining focused," Culpepper says. "The focus to go out and be successful play-in and play-out to ultimately win the game.”
Meaningless or not for the Raiders, it could be a December to remember, as opportunities to snap an ongoing 5-game losing streak to the Broncos and an 8-game skid against San Diego lie ahead.
Stay tuned!
