UP NEXT: Oakland (2-6)
LAST WEEK: Lost to the Atlanta Falcons 24-0
WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Raiders shut out the Falcons in the second half, then the game ended.
Isaiah Ekejiuba blocked an Atlanta punt in the third quarter.
WHAT WENT WRONG
This was one of the most offensively inept performances in NFL history. The Raiders had minus-2 yards of total offense in the first half (the last time that happened in the league was in 1992, when the Colts had minus-5). Oakland had the ball for 14 minutes, 45 seconds (less than a quarter of the game), picked up three first downs and finished with 77 yards in total offense.
3 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Running back Darren McFadden: The rookie from Arkansas has been slowed recently by a toe injury and didn't play against the Falcons. But he's been one of the poster boys for this season's strong rookie class of running backs, rushing for 341 yards with a healthy 5.1-yard average.
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell: He's in his second season, but he must still feel like a rookie after missing most of 2007 because of a contract holdout. His 69.0 passer rating (29th in the league) and 48.6 completion percentage bear that out.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha: Hasn't been the same since his breakout season of 2006, when he had eight interceptions. He still doesn't have one this year, but remains one of the league's more talented cornerbacks.
BY THE NUMBERS
5 Points needed by kicker Sebastian Janikowski to break George Blanda's franchise scoring record of 859.
9 Combined rushing yards by McFadden's replacements against the Falcons: Justin Fargas (six) and Michael Bush (three).
9:26 Time remaining in third quarter when Raiders got their first first-down against the Falcons.
OBSERVATIONS
It was almost like the old days in Chapel Hill for Raiders receiver Ronald Curry on one play against the Falcons. He was sent out at quarterback – his position at North Carolina – for one play in the second quarter, but a false-start penalty short-circuited the play and Russell came back in.
Curry, the Raiders' leading receiver last season, has been benched and he's now wondering what his future will be with the team.
It's good to see Bush on the field for the Raiders. He broke his leg early in his senior season at Louisville and didn't play for the Cardinals again. Oakland drafted him anyway and he's a contributor.
THE SERIES
The Raiders lead 2-1. Oakland's 52-9 victory in 2000 remains the most points ever scored against the Panthers.
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