Raiders Duo Considered for Week 13 NFL Play of the Week

(Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzales of Raiders.com)

Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski returned home to lead the Raiders against a tattered Steeler team. The fourth-year journeyman looked every bit Raider fans envisioned former 1st overall pick JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be as Gradkowski led the Raiders to a game-winning drive over a reeling Pittsburgh Steelers. With good protection and an uncanny pocket awareness, Gradkowsi threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

In what certainly looked to be a rout of the Raiders, the same story that has plagued Pittsburgh all season occurred yet again as the home fans watched in agony to see that their defending Super Bowl team could not close another game with a late lead. Because the game still close, the Raiders patience paid off as a confident Gradkowski finished off a fourth quarter 11-play drive connecting with WR Chaz Schilens on a 17 yd touchdown pass with 8 minutes remaining.

Although the Raiders defense gave up two touchdowns, the surprising young Raiders offense matched both touchdowns with 2 more of their own.

In a span of roughly 5 and a half minutes, Gradkowski tossed two touchdown passes to WR Louis Murphy to lead yet another Raiders come from behind victory. Standing at their own 25 and staring at a 3rd and 13; an ever confident Gradkowski play actioned RB Justin Fargas rolling out right and hit Murphy in stride on a 75-yd TD post pattern.

Here is where the game became interesting, unfolding before our very eyes (and you heard it hear first) the Bruce Gradkowski era has begun! Backed at their own 11 yard line and with only a minute-48 remaining in the game, Gradkowski completed pass after pass to his young receivers with a pivotal 24 yard desperation heave (more like Hail Mary) to (surprise) Murphy at the 17 yd line, who wisely jumped out of bounds. With nine seconds remaining, it was fitting fashion as Gradkowski closed the game out by hitting his favorite target from 11yds out for just the rookie's second game clinching touchdown in 3 weeks.


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