OAKLAND RAIDERS RAP
FLASH RECAP:
Rich Gannon throws for 231 yards and two touchdowns to lead Oakland to an easy victory over Atlanta before an announced crowd of 55,175 at Network Associates Coliseum on Nov. 26, 2000. The Raiders (10-2) score 38 consecutive points after the Falcons (3-10) take a 7-0 advantage. Oakland averages a whopping 7.9 yards on 62 plays compared to 3.8 yards on 48 plays for Atlanta. The Raiders achieve 10 wins for the first time since 1977.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Rich Gannon -- Completes 15 of 22 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns and rushes for 64 yards on only four carries. Engineers five scoring drives in six possessions after the Falcons take an early 7-0 advantage.
RB Tyrone Wheatley -- Rushes for a game-high 85 yards (all in the first half) after missing the past two games because of ankle problems.
Raiders defensive line -- Grady Jackson, Regan Upshaw, Tony Bryant and Josh Taves each contribute one of Oakland's six sacks. Jackson and Taves also receive roughing-the-passer penalties.
WR Tim Brown -- His six catches for 95 yards come in the first half. He gives the Raiders a 17-7 advantage with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon midway through the second period.
KR David Dunn -- Returns the second-half kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, boosting Oakland's lead to 31-7. Dunn is the first Raider to return a kickoff for a score since Napoleon Kaufman went 84 yards against Indianapolis on Oct. 22, 1995.
WR Shawn Jefferson -- Has a game-high seven catches for 109 yards. Sets up the Falcons' first touchdown with a 49-yard catch to the Oakland six.
QB Chris Chandler -- Completes seven of 12 passes for 97 yards despite being sacked three times in the first half. Atlanta coach Dan Reeves replaces Chandler with backup Doug Johnson at the start of the third quarter.
GOAT OF THE GAME:
The Atlanta offensive line fails to protect QB Chris Chandler or open holes for RB Jamal Anderson. The Falcons surrender six sacks and gain a mere 181 total yards.
TURNING POINT:
Oakland scores touchdowns on three of its first four possessions in the second quarter to build a 24-7 advantage. Tyrone Wheatley scores on a 1-yard run, Tim Brown catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon and Zack Crockett scores on an 8-yard run.
KEY DRIVE:
Oakland moves 65 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown that erases a 7-3 deficit. When RB Tyrone Wheatley scores on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter, it's the first touchdown surrendered by Atlanta's defense in 25 possessions.
BY THE NUMBERS:
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6: Oakland sacks on Atlanta QBs Chris Chandler and Doug Johnson.
9: Raiders receivers to catch passes from QB Rich Gannon.
12: Penalties on Oakland for 108 yards.
270: Yards rushing by the Raiders.
THEY SAID IT:
Oakland coach Jon Gruden
"We have an opportunity to do something exciting. In order to do that, we have to keep winning. We can overlook nobody."
"If Atlanta wants to make a game of it, fine. If not, it's our job to put them on a plane early. That's pretty much what we did."
Oakland WR Tim Brown
DID YOU KNOW?:
Oakland's Tim Brown moves past Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett into 10th place on the all-time list for combined yards. The 13-year veteran has 16,348 yards. Brown also moves into 11th place with 11,872 career receiving yards. He passes Don Maynard and is 32 behind Michael Irvin for 10th place.
Oakland's Darrell Russell pressures Atlanta QB Doug Johnson by The Associated Press
