Mike Shanahan's record versus the current Raider head coach: 0-1.
Since NFL personalities the world over live in 1989 (at least when they mention the names "Shanahan" and "Raiders" in the same gum-beating), it's fitting to note that "Shanny" just lost a home game to Al Davis that would have nearly secured a divisional title in an AFC West that is at best haphazard and lukewarm.
Yes, Davis' Raiders (and for that matter Tom Cable's Raiders too), the winningest visiting team in the Mile High City, scored 21 unanswered points in the second half of Sunday's game against the Broncos, and fly 5,000 feet closer to sea level with a 31-10 win.
Ex-Bronco wide receiver Ashley Lelie seemed to enjoy the win most, catching 4 passes for 92 yards, including a touchdown, and a 51-yard bomb that set one up for the Silver and Black.
"I’ve been dreaming for this moment ever since I left here," claims Lelie, who parted ways with Shanahan after a bitter 2005 campaign in which the two could not agree to the same contract terms. "It feels good that it was with the Raiders."
Lelie struggled in both Atlanta (2006) and San Francisco (2007). His numbers haven't been stellar this season with Oakland, though he appeared to return to his old ways at Invesco Field, almost doubling his pre-Sunday season totals. He blames his recent bleak seasons on "not getting the opportunities."
"Here, they finally gave me the opportunity with Javon (Walker) getting a little nicked up," Lelie adds. "They put me on the field to give me a chance to do what I can do."
Oakland head coach Tom Cable enjoyed both the win, his first on the road as the Raiders' skipper, and the three offensive touchdowns, which were the team's first since an October 26th loss at Baltimore.
"It was huge," Cable said after running back Darren McFadden ended the drought in the third quarter with his first of two 1-yard runs for scores. The touchdown made it 17-10 Oakland. "It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off our shoulders...we just relaxed and played."
Raider quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 10 passes out of 11 attempts and tallied 152 yards. McFadden and fellow running back Justin Fargas both enjoyed memorable performances, rushing 10 times for 38 yards and 24-for-107, respectively.
Denver
The Broncos were unable to extend a two-game winning streak created on the road against Cleveland and Atlanta. Quarterback Jay Cutler earned the team's one bright spot, passing for his 3,000th yard, going 16-for-37 and 204 yards Sunday. He was intercepted by Raider linebacker Thomas Howard in the fourth quarter.
Fullback Peyton Hillis made Denver's strongest showing on the ground, rushing 17 times for 74 yards and getting the Broncos only touchdown.
Lelie's silver and black success came as no surprise to his former coach.
"When Ashley was here, he did the same thing, made those big plays," says Shanahan. "For some reason it didn’t work out at other places when he left here. But when he was here, he was pretty productive."
Looking Ahead
The Broncos now head to New York to play the red-hot Jets, while the Raiders return home to take on last-placed Kansas City.
While many NFL voices, from Al Michaels to Tom Jackson to Chris Berman to Mike Tirico love to throw Shanahan a pity party when they talk about his firing from the Raiders in October, 1989 (when the Berlin Wall was still standing and Jeremy Miller/Kirk Cameron promos for Growing Pains would appear during Monday Night Football on ABC), many of their predictions fell like Martika's Toy Soldiers on Sunday.
The Raiders just made an in-season termination of a head coach this year. Though Sunday's win was only their second since firing Lane Kiffin, the team appeared to gain a lot of confidence back, particularly on offense, so says one defensive standout.
"“Their production was a huge lift because it helps them believe in themselves more," said Raider cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. "It helped us as a defense because we got a lot of rest."
The Raiders improved to 56-41-2 lifetime against Denver with the victory.
Blame it on the rain...yeah, yeah.
