Week 17 Game Recap: Oakland Raiders 3, New York Jets 23

What you need to know

Oakland Raiders

Oakland finished off their 2006 season with a loss at New York that ensured a two win season and a winless road record. Additionally, their loss ensures the number one pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Their offense had another dreadful performance, including three turnovers that essentially gave New York a 23 to three win.

Aaron Brooks got the start at quarterback for the Raiders, and while he completed a good percentage of his passes, he simply didn’t make any plays and never led his team to the end zone. He had two fourth quarter turnovers, a lost fumble and an interception. His favorite targets were receivers Ronald Curry and Johnny Morant, but his poor overall performance had neither receiver finishing with more than 50 yards.

Justin Fargas continued to impress as a fill-in for the injured Lamont Jordan, running aggressively for 79 yards on his 17 carries. He was the lone bright spot for the Oakland offense, and was the only consistent productive presence during the game. Fargas’ role in the game changed as the Jets scored and the Raiders were forced to turn predominantly to the passing game.

The Raiders’ defense, which has been the sole source of hope for Raiders’ fans this year, played well early but couldn’t do enough to overcome their offensive counterparts’ lack of effectiveness. They didn’t force any turnovers, gave up a passing and running score, and finished the game with 157 passing yards and 117 rushing yards allowed. It wasn’t a bad performance, but it wasn’t a great one either. It appears as though the Raiders have a much better defense than offense heading into the offseason.

New York Jets

Needing a win against the hapless Oakland Raiders to ensure a trip to the playoffs for first year head coach Eric Mangini, the New York Jets took care of business and got a 23 to three victory during Week 17. Quarterback Chad Pennington was his usual accurate self, and the Jets defense was more than up to the task against Oakland, keeping the visiting Raiders out of the end zone all game.

Pennington did exactly what he needed to do; leading the team on several scoring drives while making no mistakes. He finished the game completing 73.3% of his passes for 157 yards. Pennington’s favorite targets were receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles. Cotchery led the team in receptions with seven and yard with 53. Tight end Chris baker grabbed Pennington’s lone touchdown strike, and one yard score in the first quarter.

Multiple players once again led the Jets’ rushing attack, this time by the two-headed attack of Leon Washington and Cedric Houston. Washington had more yards, 53, including a 15 yard fourth-quarter touchdown, while Houston had one more rush, with 16. Pennington and wide receivers Brad Smith and Jerricho Cotchery also carried the ball.

The Jets’ defense was the real story of the game, holding Oakland to three points and also forcing three turnovers. Eric Smith intercepted Aaron Brooks in the fourth quarter. Eric Barton forced a fumble, as did David Barrett. Both Barton and safety Kerry Rhodes sacked Brooks. The Jets’ defense finished with 136 passing yards and 88 rushing yards allowed. It was an excellent performance.

What you ought to know

QB Aaron Brooks, Pass: 15 - 26 - 136 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Brooks and the Raiders started the game well, as he completed most of his passes and was hanging tough with the Jets. As the Jets scored and the game got more out of had, Brooks completed less of his passes and started making mistakes. Brooks’ lost a fumble and threw an interception on a pass intended for tight end Randal Williams. He was sacked twice, additionally. Brooks’ favorite targets were receivers Ronald Curry (eight) and Johnny Morant (five).

RB Justin Fargas, Rush: 17 - 79 - 0, Rec: 3 - 9 - 0 (3 targets)

Fargas had a nice rushing performance, particularly in the first half. He had a nice 4.6 yard per carry average, and was generally the lone offensive bright spot for the Raiders. Fargas caught all three of his targets, as well.

RB Zack Crockett, Rush: 2 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Crockett had a couple of short yardage rushes and was also targeted once in the passing game.

RB ReShard Lee, Rush: 2 - 3 - 0 (2 targets)

Lee had two targets in the passing game, but couldn’t haul either of them in.

WR Ronald Curry, Rec: 5 - 47 - 0 (8 targets)

Curry’s eight targets, five receptions, and 47 yards led all Raiders. He was Brooks’ favorite target and did well, especially with short yardage routes, including slants.

WR Johnnie Morant, Rec: 3 - 24 - 0 (5 targets)

Morant had three catches, all in the first half. He was Brooks’ favorite first half target. He only two passes in the second half, both late in the fourth quarter.

WR Doug Gabriel, Rec: 2 - 42 - 0 (4 targets)

Gabriel had his best game since returning to the Raiders, finishing with two catches and 42 yards. All of his looks came in the second half.

TE Randal Williams, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Williams had two straight targets early in the fourth quarter. The first he caught and the second was intercepted.

TE John Madsen, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Madsen caught just one pass for 7 yards and was not a big factor.

TE Courtney Anderson (1 targets)

Anderson had one fourth quarter target that was thrown off target and uncatchable.

PK Sebastian Janikowski 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points

Janikowski was the only Raiders' player to score in the game, connecting on a 35 yard field goal in the second quarter.

OAK Rush Defense

The Raiders’ rush defense gave up a total of 117 yards, although no one Jets’ running back had more than 53 yards. They gave up one touchdown, a 15 yard fourth quarter scamper by Leon Washington.

OAK Pass Defense

The Raiders’ pass defense gave up 157 yards and a Chris Baker touchdown. They forced no interceptions but had one Warren Sapp sack.

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 22 - 30 - 157 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 0 - 0

Pennington was his usually accurate self, completing 73.3% of his passes for 157 yards. He threw one touchdown, a one yard toss to Chris Baker in the first quarter. His numbers would have been better, but he suffered a couple of drops, including two deep ones to Laveranues Coles (one of which was in the end zone). Pennington has three rushes for zero yards.

RB Leon Washington, Rush: 15 - 53 - 1, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets)

Washington started the game at running back, but saw most of his late game carries go to Cedric Houston. This wasn’t much of a surprise as the Jets have gone with multiple backs for most of the game. Washington did have a nice 15 yard scamper for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He led the Jets in rushing.

RB Cedric Houston, Rush: 16 - 44 - 0

Houston led the Jets in rushes, but most of his touches came in the later portions of the game. He ran well, but finished second on the team with 44 yards.

RB B.J. Askew, Rec: 3 - 14 - 0 (3 targets)

Askew caught all three passes thrown his way. All three passes were short yardage dump offs.

RB James Hodgins, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (2 targets)

Hodgins caught one of the two short yardage looks his saw in the game.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rush: 1 - -3 - 0, Rec: 7 - 53 - 0 (9 targets)

Cotchery led all Jets in targets, receptions, and yardage. He didn’t have any looks in the first quarter, but had several targets in the other three quarters. Cotchery’s catches were predominantly on short routes.

WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 5 - 27 - 0 (5 targets)

McCareins was the only Jets’ receiver to have a target in all four quarters. He was second on the team with five catches and 27 yards.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (7 targets)

Cole was second on the team in targets, and third in receiving yards. He had a bit of a problem holding onto the ball, as he dropped at least two long passes, including one that would have been a touchdown.

WR Brad Smith, Rush: 2 - 23 - 0

Smith didn’t see any looks in the passing game, but he contributed none the less. On two separate occasions he took the snap as the quarterback, including one play were he ran a QB sneak and picked up the first down. He also ran a successful end around for 20 yards.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 2 - 19 - 1 (2 targets)

Baker caught both of his passes, the first of which went for a one yard first quarter touchdown.

PK Mike Nugent 3 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 11 points

Nugent had a great game, making both of his PATs and all three of his field goals from 35, 22, and 35 yards.

NYJ Rush Defense

The Jets’ rush defense was excellent, giving up 79 yard to Justin Fargas and only 88 yards total. They allowed no touchdowns and forced no fumbles.

NYJ Pass Defense

The Jets’ pass defense was excellent, giving up only 136 total yards and forcing three different types of turnovers. Aaron Brooks was both sacked for a lost fumble and threw an interception in the fourth quarter. Johnny Morant lost a fumble after a catch in the first quarter. The pass rush got to Brooks for two sacks.