Sebastian Janikowski kicks a 33-yard field
goal to stun the Bengals, 20-17 on Sunday
(Eric Taylor/1ststring.com)

Whether you like the Raiders or not, one thing is certain... when you go to a Raiders game, it always seems to be 1968.

The iconic of the Raiders logo, the uniforms, and who could forget the Heidi game.

Back in 1968, the Raiders and Jets were involved in a classic. 

Oakland scored its final 10 points in a span of less than a minute.  Not quite as crazy as that game in 1968 but pretty darn close.  In fact, even though the game was blacked out, the Chargers-Broncos game ended early, allowing CBS to switch to the Raiders game for the final few minutes letting the Raider Nation witness the glorious comeback.

Bruce Gradkowski in his first career start for the Raiders, engineered an 80 yard drive in the final two minutes.   The drive culminated in a 29-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy.

On the ensuing kickoff, Chiefs kick returner Andre Caldwell fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Brandon Myers setting up the game winning 33-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski.

Entering this game, Gradkowski had similar number to Russell indicating he would not be an improvement at the position.  

Upon further review, he had far more to offer than Russell when it comes to mobility, experience, reading the defense, and leadership ability.  The only thing Russell has going for him is the cannon arm but its not accurate as proven by his stats.

The question remains, what do you do with JaMarcus Russell if Gradkowski continues to have performances like he did last week against the Bengals.  Unless he gets injured, the job is his for the remainder of the season.   Does Russell turn into the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf?   Where is his motivation to improve when he's already guaranteed $ 31 million?

Later this afternoon when the Raiders visit the Cowboys new billion dollar stadium, it will mark the return of defensive end Greg Ellis who played for 11 years in big D.   Ellis came to the Silver and Black after a pitch from owner Al Davis before the preseason telling him the Raiders would be in Dallas for Thanksgiving.

Oakland has a 6-3 lead all-time in the series against Dallas having won three straight, including a 13-12 win at Texas Stadium back in 1998.

For more info: The Raiders game is televised nationally on CBS with Jim Nantz on the play-by-play and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms providing color commentary.  The Raiders radio broadcast can be heard on KSFO 560 AM and on Sirius NFL Radio.  Greg Papa has the call with former Raiders coach Tom Flores.  Kickoff is at 1:15 pm pacific.

Check out Raiders Examiner Patrick Patterson: www.examiner.com/x-514-Oakland-Raiders-Examiner
Another site for Raiders news is Thoughts from the Dark Side.  tfdssports.com