First win for Coach Kiffin

Sunday brought the Oakland Raiders first win after a horrendous 11-game losing streak and was also Lane Kiffin's first win as the teams Head Coach. The Raiders dominated the game but after costly mistakes it still game down to the last play of the game, let's break it down:

- Kiffin obviously learned something last week in the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos, as the Cleveland Browns were set to attempt a game winning 40-yard field goal he used the same strategy as Mike Shanahan did in the last game when he called a timeout right before the snap.

The first field goal would have been good but due to the timeout it needed to be rekicked, the second attempt was blocked by DE/DT Tommy Kelly and won the game for the Raiders, the final score was 26-24.

- The Raiders were at one point 16-0 ahead but gave up 10 points right before halftime after Josh Cribbs returned a kickoff 99-yards for a TD and LaMont Jordan fumbled on the Raiders next possesion, which resulted in a Browns FG.

- LaMont Jordan had another huge game with 121-yards rushing which included a 1-yard run for a TD, he also had a brilliant 27-yard reception on a 3rd and 23 play in the fourth quarter, in which Culpepper dumped the ball off to him on a HB screen play.

In the post game interview it was refreshing to see Jordans current attitude, several times he commented about how well the offensive line played and gave them the credit for his performance, he also commented several times about how he left a lot of yards on the field and is going to work hard to keep improving.

At times it seemed as if it was Kiffin talking and not Jordan, which really shows these players are buying whatever Kiffin is selling, this is so important if a team is to be succesful and is a total turnaround from last season. Jordan admitted he didn't like Coach Tom Cables zone blocking scheme at first but has really bought in now he's seen how well it works.

- You may have noticed Culpepper mentioned earlier, he came in for 1 play near the end of the first half and played the entire second half after Josh McCown suffered another injury when a defensive lineman rolled over his ankle. He even came back for one series to play through three seperate injuries but at half time Kiffin decided Culpepper gave the team the best chance to win.

Cheers were heard from some Raiders fans when McCown went down with the injury, it is horrible to hear a Raider being booed by his own fans, especially one who gives his all for the team. McCown played with total heart and commitment and he actually had a pretty good game until he went out injured, the highlight being a 41-yard TD pass to Ron Curry.

- Robert Gallery has silenced all of his critics with superb play at his new LG position, if he keeps playing at this level he's heading for the Pro Bowl. He did leave the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury but returned for the final series so it's hoped the injury is not too serious.

- Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard both had another fantastic showing with an interception each, Morrison now has 3 for the season and Howard has 2, one of which he returned for a touchdown last week against the Broncos.

In a post game interview with Morrison a reporter suggested a nickname for the two linebackers which he didn't seem to mind but had one better of his own; "The Pick Brothers". Well if the Pick Brothers keep putting in solid performances like that they're both absolute locks to go to the Pro Bowl.

- After poor play last week from DT Terdell Sands and CB Fabian Washington both started this game on the bench in favor of DT Gerrard Warren and CB Stanford Routt, both still played for much of the game but it remains unclear who Kiffin plans to start next week.

All things considered it was a fantastic day for Raider fans everywhere, bringing to a close the longest active losing streak in the NFL. Next week the Raiders are playing at the 0-3 Miami Dolphins before thier bye in week 5, as always thanks for reading!