How long has Raider Nation been waiting for THEE big game
By Rich Winter
I was sitting at work Monday afternoon just hoping the Bears vs. Vikings game would hurry up and get over so we could start talking about THEE game, Broncos vs. Raiders on Sunday night in Oakland. It's been so long since our Raiders have been relevant and so long since the Raiders and Broncos have played a game that mattered, it almost feels like the rest of the NFL world is saying, 'Eh, big deal, neat, two 6-2 teams, ok.'
Sunday's game is so much more than EH....and thinking about this impending clash I cannot, not think back to some of the big games these two teams have played as the flame of WE HATE THOSE GUYS has gasoline dumped all over it from now until kickoff for Sunday's prime-time, must-see game of the week/month and perhaps years.
Remember when Rick Upchurch and John Matuszak got into a fight on Monday Night Football?
If only Matuszak had gotten ahold of that little shit....props to Upchurch though for having some big balls.
Remember when Bill Romanowki dislocated Shannon Sharpe's elbow on Monday Night Football:
Remember September 26, 1988: The Broncos led 24–0 at halftime on Monday Night Football. However, the Raiders sparked one of the largest comebacks in NFL history, winning 30–27 in overtime. After serving as an offensive assistant under Broncos' head coach Dan Reeves in the mid-1980s (and again in the early 1990s), Mike Shanahan's first season as an NFL head coach was with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1988, before he was fired four games into the 1989 season.[3]
Remember January 2 and 9, 1994: In the 1993 season finale (January 2, 1994), the Raiders rallied from a 30–13 deficit to beat the Broncos 33–30 in overtime to make the playoffs and set up another game between the two teams in Los Angeles the following week. Outspoken Raiders' owner Al Davis said before the playoff game that Denver was "scared to death of us."[6] Despite the Broncos' protests, the Raiders won, 42–24.
Remember November 22, 1999: At the end of a Broncos' 27–21 overtime win in Denver on Monday Night Football, Raiders' safety Charles Woodson and offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy engaged in a snowball fight with some fans, after being pelted with snowballs from some unruly fans. Woodson threw a snowball that struck a woman in the face, while Kennedy charged into the stands and assaulted a fan after being hit by a snowball.[7][8]
Early Monday posted something on my Facebook Page and had a college friend, Bronco fan check in. Was expecting the useless chatter that comes with this kind of territory, u know, SAME OLD RAIDERS garbage, but instead, very wise Bronco fan stated just how important this game is for his squad, the playoffs and for AFC West supremacy.
He noted - "The Raiders have three home games in a row following this Broncos game and a bye week against not so great teams." He's right...Oakland wins this game and takes care of business in their next three games they will be 10-2 heading into what could be another monster game vs. the Chiefs.
The Raiders on prime-time with a good football team - Yes please!
The Raiders vs. the Broncos in a prime-time game that matters - Yes please!
The Raiders having a 61–50–2 (including the playoffs) record against the Broncos - Epic!
The Raiders going to 7-2 with a resounding ass-kicking of our most hated rivalries in a rekindling of one of the greatest rivalries in the NFL - Priceless!
Guess I and Raider Nation have waited 15 years for our team to be relevant, and I suppose most of us will make it to Sunday night, but dang it, hurry up already.....WHEEEEEEOOOOWWW
