Sunday's Loss Was Historic
By JOE KUKURA
Updated 3:15 PM PST, Mon, Oct 26, 2009
The Jets' throwback uniforms weren't the ugliest thing about Sunday's 38-0 Oakland Raiders loss. That 38-point margin also constitutes the worst home loss in Raiders history.
The Raiders' previous worst home losses were all 34-point losses, most recently to the Packers in Brett Favre's "Dad just died" game in 2003. But even that game was 41-7, and not a shutout. As Raiders fans can tell you from recent experience, shutouts are worse.
How ugly was it?
It was so ugly that Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez was caught on camera relaxing and chowing down a hot dog during the game. This was not exactly a pressure situation for Mark Sanchez.
It was so ugly that two --two! -- Jets rushed for more than 100 yards. Thomas Jones ripped off 121 yards on the ground against the Raiders, while rookie Shonn Green gained 144 yards. Shonn Green has only 174 career yards, and 144 of them came yesterday against the Raiders.
It was so ugly that disgraced former Raiders coach Bill Callahan, now the Jets offensive line coach, got to celebrate with a Gatorade bath. "He probably won't say it, but this game was really important to him," Jets head coach Rex Ryan told the Chronicle.
It was so ugly that JaMarcus Russell was benched -- in the second quarter. Bruce Gradkowski took over with less than six minutes left in the second half, but at least Russell had the composure to avoid the hot dog stand.
It was so ugly that it was the most poorly-attended Raiders game since the team returned to Oakland in 1995. Jerry McDonald writes in the Oakland Tribune that yesterday's attendance was the "lowest for an Oakland Raiders game since Oct. 27, 1968." Most of the current Raider Nation was not even born yet in 1968.
The only bright side is this awful loss was hardly seen by any of Raider Nation.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer whose other consolation is, "At least it wasn't against the Broncos.
Copyright NBC Local Media
First Published: Oct 26, 2009 8:30 AM PST
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