OAKLAND RAIDERS RAP
FLASH RECAP:
Oakland advances to its first AFC championship game since the 1990 season by mauling Miami before a raucous crowd of 61,998 at Network Associates Coliseum on Jan. 6, 2001. Cornerback Tory James ignites the Raiders (13-4) with a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown on the Dolphins' opening possession. Miami (12-6) has been outscored 127-10 in dropping its last three divisional playoff games. The Dolphins' Lamar Smith is held to eight yards rushing on four attempts -- one week after he runs for 209 yards against Indianapolis. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler is intercepted three times, two by James and one by Eric Allen. Rich Gannon throws for one touchdown (a 6-yard pass to James Jett) and Tyrone Wheatley rushes for another (a 2-yard run) as the Raiders are victorious in their first playoff game in Oakland in two decades.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
CB Tory James -- Has two interceptions and forces a fumble. Sets the tone for the Raiders' first-ever playoff shutout when he returns a Jay Fiedler interception 90 yards for a touchdown 3:24 into the game. His forced fumble (recovered by Charles Woodson) midway in the second quarter sets up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon to James Jett.
QB Rich Gannon -- Doesn't have gaudy statistics (8-of-12 passing for 143 yards and one touchdown), but he keeps the Miami defense off balance with his throwing and running. Four rushes pick up first downs on Oakland's two touchdown drives. He has 31 yards rushing on five carries.
Raiders defensive line -- The unit has a dominanting performance, holding Miami to 40 yards rushing and putting a consistent pass rush on Miami QB Jay Fiedler. Ends Tony Bryant and Roderick Coleman each record a sack.
PK Sebastian Janikowski -- Hits field goals of 36 and 33 yards. Three of his six kickoffs reach the end zone and a fourth lands at the goal line.
WR James Jett -- Makes a touchdown catch on third-and-goal from the Miami six to widen Oakland's lead to 19-0 late in the second quarter.
RB Autry Denson -- Catches six passes for 42 yards.
MLB Zach Thomas -- Contributes 12 tackles (10 unassisted) despite suffering a first-quarter concussion.
DE Lorenzo Bromwell -- Has a sack and a forced fumble on the same play.
GOAT OF THE GAME:
Miami QB Jay Fiedler throws a third-down pass (intended for WR Leslie Shepherd) directly to Oakland's Tory James, who returns the interception 90 yards for a touchdown. The Dolphins never recover from the first of three interceptions by Fiedler, who finishes the game with 18-of-36 passing for 176 yards.
TURNING POINT:
After Miami drives to the Oakland 16 on its first possession, CB Tory James returns a Jay Fiedler interception 90 yards to give the Raiders a 6-0 advantage.
KEY DRIVE:
Oakland moves 43 yards in nine plays to score a touchdown for a 20-0 advantage. The drive culminates on a 6-yard scoring pass from Rich Gannon to James Jett on third-and-goal with 1:53 left in the second quarter. The Raiders gain possession after Charles Woodson recovers a Lamar Smith fumble (forced by Tory James).
BY THE NUMBERS:
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1: Combined sacks by Miami's Trace Armstrong and Jason Taylor. Armstrong sacked Oakland QB Rich Gannon in the third quarter. The Miami duo combined for 31 regular-season sacks.
2: Interceptions by Oakland CB Tory James.
4: Turnovers forced by Oakland, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
4: Consecutive divisional playoff losses by Miami.
37:24: Time of possession for Oakland.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders coach Jon Gruden
"I've never seen anything like that today. This place was rocking, everything from the music to the costumes to the noise. It was relentless. It was a pleasure to coach with that kind of support. Our players fed off of it. I mean it was awesome."
"We went into the Black Hole, and we couldn't find our way out."
Dolphins DT Daryl Gardener
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders' 27-0 victory over the Dolphins is only the 17th shutout in the NFL playoffs since the start of the Super Bowl era. It's the first shutout for the Raiders in their 25 playoff games.
Oakland's Tory James (20) scores on a 90-yard interception return.
By The Associated Press
