Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Tennessee 25 at Oakland 52 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Tennessee Titans: QB Steve McNair threw 4 interceptions on the day but 2 were balls batted in the air and the other 2 were bad decisions/throws by McNair. He finished with a career passing day of 398 yards. His throwing opportunities should continue because the Titan defense will give up a lot of points and their running game is anemic. RB Eddie George's numbers were horrible. He averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on 11 carries and didn't have a run longer than 5 yards. He gave way much of the second half to rookie John Simon who couldn't run much better gaining only 11 yards on 4 carries for 2.8 yards per carry average but did have a touchdown and was very involved in the passing game catching 4 passes for 50 yards. WR Derrick Mason played well catching 6 passes for 99 yards but the big story with him is what looked to be a painful and serious injury to his shoulder. He was hit hard while on the ground with his shoulder pinned under him. He left the game in obvious pain and did not return. The Titans put no pressure on Rich Gannon all day and he kept them at bay with quick timing passes. Worse yet Samari Rolle left the game in the first quarter with what looked to be a serious knee or ankle injury and did not return. Without him Andre Dyson was mismatched and showed no ability to cover Rice or Brown. This unit is in disarray. They even forgot to cover Jerry Porter on a red-zone play that resulted in a 10 yard touchdown. Oakland Raiders: QB Rich Gannon was in complete control and looked like he could score at will on the hapless Titan defense. He was unstoppable at times. He's a perfectionist that kept his focus in this game and didn't let up even with a big lead. He finished 29/39 for 381 yards, 4 TD's and no interceptions. WR Jerry Rice was the story of the day. He not only caught 7 balls for 144 yards and a touchdown pass (and added a 7 yard run), but he passed Walter Payton for most yards from scrimmage by any NFL player. He looks as fast and as strong and as hungry as ever. He also looks to be having fun and inspiring other members of this offense. RB Charlie Garner took the Raider's first play from scrimmage and exploded into the end zone with an impressive 17 yard reception. He looked at times as if no one and nothing could stop him. He's faster to the outside and turning the corner on running plays than he's ever been. He's not counted on carrying this offense but is putting up solid numbers. 117 total yards and a touchdown. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Tennessee Titans QB: Steve McNair made a poor throw on the first play of the game. It was intercepted by Phillip Buchanon but then overturned via replay. That first series ended with Rod Woodson's first of three interceptions on the day. McNair threw 4 total but 2 were balls batted in the air and the other 2 were bad decisions/throws by McNair. He finished with a career passing day of 398 yards. His throwing opportunities should continue because the Titan defense will give up a lot of points and their running game is anemic. RB: Eddie George's numbers were horrible. He averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on 11 carries and didn't have a run longer than 5 yards. He gave way much of the second half to rookie John Simon who couldn't run much better getting only 11 yards on 4 carries for 2.8 yards per carry average but did have a touchdown and was very involved in the passing game catching 4 passes for 50 yards. WR: Derrick Mason played well catching 6 passes for 99 yards but the big story with him is what looked to be a painful and serious injury to his shoulder. He was hit hard while on the ground with his shoulder pinned under him. He left the game in obvious pain and did not return. Kevin Dyson was a factor catching 7 balls for 51 yards and was looked to as a possession receiver often by McNair. His value could increase dramatically if Mason is out for an extended period of time. Drew Bennett caught 6 passes for 75 yards and likely benefited from a lack of attention to him from the Oakland secondary. Rookie Justin McCareins continued to impress. His value would likely skyrocket with an extended Mason injury. He scored a heads-up 49 yard touchdown on a poor play by Oakland's secondary. After making the catch McCareins slid along the ground but wasn't touched and got up and took the play into the end zone. It was one of only two catches by him but he's showed big play ability. TE: Frank Wycheck was targeted often in key situations but one might start to wonder why. He dropped an easy 2-point conversion pass and two of McNair's interceptions were tipped in the air by Wycheck. One of those ended up in Rod Woodson's second touchdown of the day. Titans' Pass defense: The Titans put no pressure on Rich Gannon all day and he kept them at bay with quick timing passes. Worse yet, Samari Rolle left the game in the first quarter with what looked to be a serious knee or ankle injury and did not return. Without him Andre Dyson was mismatched and showed no ability to cover Rice or Brown. This unit is in disarray. They even forgot to cover Jerry Porter on a red-zone play that resulted in a 10 yard touchdown. Titans' Rush defense: This unit gave up only 90 yards rushing. Before we slap them on the back, we should note that the Raiders only ran the ball 21 plays and the Titans gave up 381 yards through the air. Special Teams: They gave up the early punt return to Phillip Buchanon and then gave up another punt return a few minutes later. It's worth noting that there were TWO obvious non-called blocks to the back on that play so this unit may not be as bad as it would appear. They also should have had an onside kick recovery that was called back on a phantom offsides call. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Oakland Raiders QB: Rich Gannon was in complete control and looked like he could score at will on the hapless Titan defense. He was unstoppable at times. He's a perfectionist that kept his focus in this game and didn't let up even with a big lead. He finished 29/39 for 381 yards, 4 TD's and no interceptions. RB: Charlie Garner took the Raider's first play from scrimmage and exploded into the end zone with an impressive 17 yard reception. He looked at times as if no one and nothing could stop him. He's faster to the outside and turning the corner on running plays than he's ever been. He's not counted on carrying this offense but is putting up solid numbers. 117 total yards and a touchdown. Tyrone Wheatley carried the ball just 4 times for 15 yards and was not a factor. WR: Jerry Rice was the story of the day. He not only caught 7 balls for 144 yards and a touchdown pass (and added a 7 yard run), but he passed Walter Payton for most yards from scrimmage by any NFL player. He looks as fast and as strong and as hungry as ever. He also looks to be having fun and inspiring other members of this offense. Despite Rice's huge day, there were enough passes for Tim Brown too. He caught 6 passes for 90 yards and also had a touchdown in garbage time. It did appear in this game that Rice was Gannon's primary target most of the day. Jerry Porter wasn't a huge factor in the offense but did have a 10 yard touchdown reception. It was unlikely that he was the primary target on the play but the Titan's didn't put anyone on him in coverage and Gannon tossed him an easy wide-open touchdown. TE: Roy Williams was not looked at most of the day but did catch a ball for a first down in the 4th quarter. Pass defense: This group was outstanding. Rod Woodson intercepted 3 balls and returned 2 of them for touchdowns. Despite giving up 398 passing yards, they seemed to bend but not break and just nursed the huge lead that they had early. They only had 2 sacks but looked to contain McNair who only had 1 rushing play all game. Rush defense: They held the Titan's in check with only 43 yards but it's tough to gage their effectiveness based on their performance. The Titan's threw 46 times verses only 16 running plays. Special Teams: What more can be said about a unit that had 2 punt returns for touchdowns in the first quarter? They got the rout started with the first touchdown and built the team and the crowd into a frenzy with the second.