FLASH RECAP:
If you're a Raiders fan, the question begs to be asked: Can it get any worse?
Steven Jackson rushes for 127 yards and two touchdowns to lead visiting St. Louis (6-8) to a dominating victory over Oakland (2-12) before an announced crowd of 50,164 at McAfee Coliseum on Dec. 17, 2006.
Raiders managing general partner Al Davis tells reporters during an impromptu interview after Oakland's seventh straight loss: "We’ll get it straightened out. You can bet on that, (heck) yes.
"We’ve got things to do, and it’s gonna be big, but we’ll get it done. You have to look at it the way I have to look at it, not the way you’ll look at it necessarily. But in any event, I’ll get it done. I want to win, and I will. I always have."
With the deflating loss, Oakland equals its second most losses in a season in franchise history.
After suffering only one home shutout in Davis' first 43 years with the franchise, the Raiders have gone scoreless in two home games this season. By losing to the Rams, the Raiders also equal a team-record three shutout losses, set in 1981.
The Rams win for only the second time in nine games. Jackson scores on runs of 4 and 19 yards in the second half after St. Louis holds a 6-0 lead at intermission following two Jeff Wilkins field goals.
Oakland QBs Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter combine for 25-of-39 passing for 229 yards with three interceptions for an abysmal rating of 47.9. The Raiders have only 57 rushing yards against a Rams defense that entered the game allowing 154.8 yards per game (31st in the NFL). Oakland also coughs up two fumbles.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
Rams defense — The unit forces five turnovers en route to its first shutout since 2003. St. Louis enters the game allowing the second-most points (329) in the NFL.
RB Steven Jackson — His TD runs of 4 and 19 yards in the third and fourth quarters allow the Rams to take command. He rushes for 127 yards on 31 carries.
WR Torry Holt — Tops the 1,000-yard plateau for the seventh straight season with 4 catches for 59 yards.
WR Ronald Curry — Contributes 9 catches for 87 yards.
DE Derrick Burgess — Has one of four Raiders sacks and six tackles.
CB Nnamdi Asomugha — Breaks up two Marc Bulger passes in the end zone for Torry Holt, forcing the Rams to settle for Jeff Wilkins field goals during the second quarter.
TURNING POINT:
Chris Carr’s fumbled punt (recovered by the Rams' Chris Massey) at the Oakland 24-yard line leads to a 4-yard TD run by Steven Jackson, giving St. Louis a 13-0 advantage five minutes into the third quarter.
KEY STATS:
The Raiders equal a franchise record of three shutout losses in a season, set in 1981.
The Rams are 41-1 since 1995 when they have a 100-yard rusher. The Rams' Steven Jackson rushes for 127 yards against the Raiders.
The Rams' Steven Jackson has no catches in a game for the fist time this season. Jackson entered the game with an NFC-leading 82 catches.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders QB Aaron Brooks
"I can’t make miracles happen. Right now, it seems like we need a miracle to make something happen offensively."
"Around halftime, we figured out they were struggling on offense. We knew if we didn't turn the ball over and got a touchdown or two, we'd be in a great position."
Rams QB Marc Bulger
BY THE NUMBERS:
0-7: Raiders’ record in games started by QB Aaron Brooks this season.
18: Combined interceptions this season by Oakland’s Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter.
19: Combined penalties by St. Louis and Oakland. The Rams have 10 penalties for 56 yards while the Raiders have nine infractions for 75 yards.
DID YOU KNOW:
Oakland equals its longest losing streak since 1987, when the then L.A. Raiders dropped seven straight.
The Rams win their first game against the Raiders in Oakland. They lost 45-17 in 1972 and 35-17 in 1997.
Raiders MLB Kirk Morrison (52)
prepares
to sack Rams QB Marc Bulger (10).
