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Fanā??s take: Oakland Raidersā?? three best home openers in history
Fanā??s take: Oakland Raidersā?? three best home openers in history
The Oakland Raiders game on Sunday, Sept. 25 against the New York Jets is a sell out , and fortunately for fans in the Bay Area, they will not have to worry about it being blacked out if they are unable to get to Oakland to watch in person. In this economy, that is good news for many people who wouldn't have been able to afford to attend this much-anticipated game.
With only two days left before the Oakland Raiders play their home opener at O.co Coliseum in the 2011 season against the New York Jets, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of their best home openers in history.
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders: September 10, 1967
In the Raiders' second season at the Oakland Coliseum, their home opener was against the Denver Broncos. In what was one of the biggest blowouts ever, the Raiders stomped the Broncos 51-0. Some of the most revered players of all-time were a part of the Silver and Black that season. Darryle Lamonica and George Blanda were both new to the team.
What I wouldn't give to have been in Oakland on that historic day. That year, our Raiders went on to achieve a 13-1 record and win the AFL championship and a trip to the Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers .
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders: September 12, 1976
This may be one of the greatest games in the Raiders history. It's known as the "Comeback Classic," and the season opener was also played in front of the home crowd in Oakland. With only 5 minutes left in the game, the Raiders trailed by 14 but ended up winning 31-28 with just seconds left on the clock.
That year would see the Raiders win their first Super Bowl title, and the team included players like the great Kenny Stabler, Clarence Davis, Mark van Eeghen, Cliff Branch, and many more.
Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders: September 30, 2001
This game included some of the Silver and Black's most recent Raiders greats. Rich Gannon, Charlie Garner, Tim Brown (notes) , and even Jerry Rice were on the team that year. In the 2001 home opener, Jerry Rice scored his first two touchdowns as an Oakland Raider, and Oakland defeated [Seattle]e|Seahawks 38-14.
A fan in the Black Hole told Rice that she had baked some cookies for him just before the game, and he returned to collect them twice. It was a great game and turned out to be a good season as well. The Raiders went on to win the AFC West that year.
A decade later, could Sept. 25, 2011 go down in history as one of the great home openers? We'll find out in a little more than 48 hours.
K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett .
More from this contributor:
The Raiders host the New York Jets in Oakland's home opener: Fan preview
The Oakland Raiders' best running backs of all time
The Oakland Raiders' greatest running backs: Part two
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