FLASH RECAP:
The long wait is over. The Raiders are returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 19 years.
Rich Gannon throws for three touchdowns and runs for another as Oakland (13-5) defeats visiting Tennessee (12-6) in the AFC Championship Game at Network Associates Coliseum before an announced crowd of 62,544 on Jan. 19, 2003.
The Raiders erase a 17-14 deficit with 10 points in the final minute of the second quarter. Gannon has a 1-yard touchdown pass to Doug Jolley and Sebastian Janikowski kicks a 43-yard field goal as Oakland takes a 24-17 advantage. Both scores are set up by Tennessee lost fumbles.
After Jankowski kicks a 32-yard field goal, the Titans close the gap to 27-24 on Steve McNair's 13-yard touchdown run late in the third period. The Raiders pull away in the fourth quarter on touchdown runs by Gannon (2 yards) and Zack Crockett (7 yards).
"Words can't even describe how we feel about what we just accomplished," first-year Raiders coach Bill Callahan tells reporters after Oakland eliminates Tennessee. "It was an incredible journey."
Says Raiders offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy: "Our fans were outstanding. There's no better feeling than being here, playing here. This has been a long time coming for the Raider Nation. And a long time coming for this team."
The Raiders will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego on Jan. 26, 2003. The Bucs, led by former Raiders coach Jon Gruden, advance to their first Super Bowl with a 27-10 victory over the host Philaddelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
WR Jerry Porter - Scores the Raiders' first touchdown on a 3-yard catch and sets up a second touchdown with a diving, 31-yard reception. He drops what would have been a 25-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon late in the second quarter.
WR Tim Brown - Has nine receptions for 73 yards. The 15-year veteran catches passes on four of the Raiders' five touchdown drives.
Raiders special teams - The first of two Sebastian Janikowski field goals is set up by an Alvis Whitted fumble recovery on a Tennessee kickoff return late in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Oakland's Tim Johnson tackles Tennessee punter Craig Hentrich for a 6-yard loss. Four plays later, Janikowski kicks a 32-yard field goal for a 27-17 Raiders lead.
OLB Eric Barton - Forces a Robert Holcombe fumble, which is recovered by Anthony Dorsett at Tennessee's 16. Two plays later, the Raiders take a 21-17 lead on a 1-yard pass from Rich Gannon to Doug Jolley with one minute left in the half. Barton's unnecessary roughness penalty on Steve McNair on third-and-eight leads to a 29-yard field goal by the Titans' Joe Nedney in the second quarter.
RB Charlie Garner - Has seven receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. He contributes six rushes for 34 yards in the second half.
DT John Parrella - Contributes a season-high seven tackles (six solo) and one of two Oakland sacks on Steve McNair.
WR Drew Bennett - Burns Charles Woodson (who slips on the play) on a 33-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
RB Eddie George - Rushes for 67 yards on 15 carries.
SS Tank Williams - His bone-jarring hit on Jerry Rice (after a 15-yard catch) forces a fumble at the Tennessee 1-yard line, but the Raiders' future Hall of Famer recovers the football. On the next play, Rich Gannon throws a 1-yard touchdown pass to give Oakland a 21-17 advantage, a lead the Raiders never relinquish en route to victory. Williams finishes with six solo tackles.
KEY STAT (S):
The Raiders have 40 offensive plays in the first three quarters. Only one of them is a designed run - Charlie Garner for 2 yards on the first drive. Oakland finishes with 58 total plays, 41 passing and 17 running. The Raiders have 375 total yards, 286 passing and 89 rushing. They average 5.2 yards per rush against a Tennessee defense that ranked second against the run in the regular season.
TURNING POINT:
Oakland scores 10 points after two Tennessee fumbles in the final 98 seconds of the half for a 24-17 advantage. Doug Jolley catches a 1-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon with 1:00 remaining in the second quarter two plays after Anthony Dorsett recovers a Robert Holcombe fumble at the Titans' 16-yard line. On the ensuing kickoff, Alvis Whitted recovers a John Simon fumble at Tennessee's 39. Sebastien The Raiders advance the ball to the Titans' 25 before Janikowski kicks a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
BY THE NUMBERS:
12: Consecutive completions for Oakland's Rich Gannon to start the game.
14: Oakland penalties for 127 yards, including nine in the first half. Seven of Tennessee's 28 first downs are by penalty.
18: Combined receptions for Oakland receivers Tim Brown (nine for 73 yards), Jerry Rice (five for 79 yards) and Jerry Porter (four for 52 yards).
19: Years since the Raiders last played in a Super Bowl.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders WR Tim Brown
"It's just a great feeling to know to know that after watching this for 14 years, watching people play this game, to actually be on your way, it's pushing a dream boat."
"We are excited, but I'm not happy yet. We've got one more game to go."
Raiders CB Charles Woodson
"We still had a chance at halftime, but we just didn't do enough. You can't trade touchdown for touchdown when you're behind. Turnovers were the key, and we were fighting an uphill battle."
Titans QB Steve McNair
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders are the first team to reach the Super Bowl after losing four consecutive games in the regular season.
The Raiders' Rich Gannon (12) eludes Titans safety Lance Schulters
on a 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
By Santa Rosa Press Democrat
