FLASH RECAP:
Playing a day after Raiders managing general partner Al Davis dies, Oakland rallies for an emotional victory over Houston before an announced crowd of 71,420 at Reliant Stadium on Oct. 9, 2011.
With seven seconds left and Houston (3-2) at the Oakland 5-yard line, safety Michael Huff intercepts Matt Schaub's second-down pass intended for Jacoby Jones as the Raiders (3-2) hold on for their first road win against the Texans in three tries.
While Oakland players celebrate, first-year head Hue Jackson drops to his knees on the sideline, covers his face with his hands and cries.
Speaking to reporters at a post-game news conference, Jackson says:
"We truly, honestly believed that coach (Davis) was here with us today. I believe that wholeheartedly. I know he’s looking down on this team and he’s with us every step of the way.”
Huff said: “We know he’s looking down on us right now. This win is for him. I appreciate everything he’s done for this organization. He’s never gone in our eyes. We’ll never let him go. He’s with us.”
The Raiders' Sebastien Janikowski kicks field goals of 54, 55, 50 and 42 yards. He ties an NFL record by kicking three field goals of 50 yards or longer in a game.
With the victory, the Raiders are above .500 in Week 5 for the first time since 2002.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Raiders defense — The unit allows only 70 rushing yards, has three sacks and interceptions by Lamarr Houston and Michael Huff.
K Sebastian Janikowski — Is 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, including three from 50 yards or longer.
QB Jason Campbell — Throws for two touchdowns and 190 yards on 15 of 35 passing. Campbell's 18-yard scoring pass to Chaz Schilens on the second play of the fourth quarter erases a 17-15 deficit.
QB Matt Schaub — Throws for 416 yards and two touchdowns, but his second of two interceptions on the game's final play prevents the Texans from pulling out the victory.
RB Arian Foster — Has 184 scrimmage yards on 68 rushing yards and 116 receiving yards on five catches.
TEs Joel Dreessen & Owen Daniels — They combine for 201 receiving yards on 12 catches. Dreessen has five catches for 112 yards and a TD and Daniels has seven catches for 89 yards.
KEY STATS:
The Raiders allow only 70 rushing yards on 25 attempts (2.8 yards per carry). Oakland enters the game ranked 29th against the run (136.0 yards per game).
The Raiders win despite being outgained by the Texans, 473 to 278 in total yards.
Darren McFadden has 51 of Oakland's 94 rushing yards. McFadden enters the game with a league-high 468 rushing yards.
The Texans' Matt Schaub completes 9 of his first 12 passes, but is 15 for his last 39 and finishes 24 for 51.
Rock Cartright's 35-yard run on a fake punt sets up Sebastian Janikowski's 42-yard field goal, giving Oakland a 25-17 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders coach Hue Jackson
“This is a new beginning for this football team. We don’t care if they’re ugly, we don’t care if they’re pretty. We just don’t care. Our No. 1 purpose when we play is to win. We all had coach (Davis) tied to our hearts today.”
"The big guy (Al Davis) was watching over us. He means a lot. He's going to be missed. Now we need to move along and win a championship for him."
Raiders K Sebastien Janikoswski
“We’ve got to do a better job. We’ve got to do a better job at making plays when it really counts.”
Texans WR Kevin Walter
BY THE NUMBERS:
4: Field goals by the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski, who makes kicks from 54, 55, 50 and 42 yards.
4: Oakland first downs in the first half. The Raiders finish with 11 first downs compared to 21 first downs for the Texans.
11: Oakland penalties for 89 yards.
99: Receiving yards by the Raiders' Darrius Heyward-Bay on seven catches.
DID YOU KNOW?:
Sebastian Janikowski’s three field goals of 50 yards or more against Houston ties an NFL record he shares with Morten Andersen (Atlanta, 1995), Kris Brown (Houston, 2007), Neil Rackers (Arizona (2004) and Connor Barth (Tampa Bay, 2009).
The Raiders win their first-ever road game against the Texans after two previous losses. Oakland also gets only its second victory against Houston in seven meetings.
With a first-quarter touchdown pass, the Texans' Matt Schaub sets a franchise record with a scoring pass in 13 straight games.
Raiders coach Hue Jackson, left, cries on
the sideline after Oakland beats Houston.
By US Presswire
