At times it feels like we, as fans, have to hope against hope that a fluke play, bad call call by a ref or ONE DRIVE will end most Sundays with a big wooden "L" hanging from our necks.

It gets tiresome by the water cooler on Monday mornings when all anyone can say about the Raider game the day before is , "What a poor performance", "It's Al Davis's fault", "Want to trade JaMarcus Russell for Alex Smith?".

I've been a fan for the better part of the past 33 years and it seems like a bad dream to have rooted passionately for a team that was in the Super Bowl in 2002 after DESTROYING Tennessee in the AFC Championship Game and then completely fell apart from the moment that Barrett Robbins lost his wallet in Mexico, leading to an embarrassing blowout against John Gruden's Bucs in the Super Bowl.

My fanhood will remain the same because, like my friends in the parking lot kept saying, "Right here is where I'll be against the Patriots and here is where I will be next year", but, is there really hope that THIS team will turn it around.

I worry about getting extensions for Nnamdi Asomugha, Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison.

Thanks to an article that was written on this site, I wonder If JaMarcus Russell has digressed since Lane Kiffin departed? Who will replace Kiffin as the voice in JaMarcus Russell's head that instructs him in the offense? Is Defilipo (Kiffin's Assistant) the answer?

Will we lose Michael Bush and then watch him dominate the NFL while we hold onto Fargas?

Is the offensive line coming into it's own after the performances over the last two weeks, or will they revert to form against the Chargers?

There are many key  questions that make me wonder if there is hope for 2009?

Then I think about it and I see an offensive minded Head Coach, Jim Fassel, taking the reigns in January.

Then I remember the way that the team felt on the first three drives of the game and I can see an offensive minded coaching staff really using the weapons on this team to do what they should do.

I mean, what great game caller wouldn't just be cursing at Cable for getting McFadden only one touch in the second half and then wanting to choke him for not running the ball DIRECTLY down the Chiefs throats until the broke and letting J-Russ pick his spots to throw. Hmmmm? Doesn't that sound a bit like the game plan against Denver? But I digress...

I do believe that bringing in Fassel will lead to more scoring and also better play calling. That is a HUGE upgrade to the current situation

There is HOPE that he will bring in a team that will help with Russell and J-Russ can truly be the bright spot that we see him as.

There is also HOPE that McFadden will get the ball more and can stay healthy next year.

What other HOPE is there Nation?

With Thanksgiving upon us, I have stopped to reflect on all of the things that I am Thankful for.

I am thankful that my three children, wife and I are happy and healthy.

I am thankful that I have a job that allows me to jibber jabber about the Raiders and still keep the lights and water on.

And also at the top, I am thankful for Tyler Blezinski giving me the opportunity to start this community three seasons ago.

Though these have been three of the most painful seasons for any Raider fan to live through, we have developed quite a strong base of dedicated fans that use this site to discuss the games as they are being played and celebrate when our team is victorious, or has been more the case, to let it fly when they lose.

We've been through three drafts and I think we did better than the "pros" at drafting or slotting the players that should be here.

I am thankful that Marquez67 has joined me in this endeavor and I look forward to adding even more editors as the site grows.

Then there are my boyz and galz in the parking lot that have made EVERY game worth going to.

Chewbacca, Raider Rob, Fred, Eric, Cassandra, Raider Bob and the entire inside and out crews always have something grilling or a smile and hug for fellow fans of the Silver and Black.

You see, the Raider Nation is a family...Complete with the crotchety old grandpa...Bacon!!!!

Much Love Nation, and Thanks for making this place special.

Sweet, sweet...That is the taste in my mouth. As sweet as it was bitter every time I had to watch Peyton Hillis give the Mile High Salute or see Jay Cutler trying to impersonate John Elway's smugness. As sweet as Janikowski's Overtime kick over New York (Baby Saint's first Raider Game).

I wasn't able to write for a week because the feeling in my stomache, EVERY TIME I THOUGH ABOUT THE RAIDERS, was like sour acid enveloping my entire being.

Today's game has acted like Pepto for my troubled body.

I swear that it was when Darren McFadden caught his Head Coach's attention and asked for the ball, was given it, and went in for six that this game turned on a D-Mac Nickle...

We fans knew that our play calling in the red zone was vanilla and garbage all season...It all changed with a misdirection, untouched saunter into the end zone by Darren Mcfadden. He liked it SO MUCH that he returned for a second trip on a one yard power run that made the score 31-10 with 8 minutes left in the game.

We fans also ganged up on Justin Fargas for not succeeding, then he went out and racked up 107 yards!!! He Smashed and Crashed, making Michael Bush a spectator.

Of course it wasn't all about the offense...

The defense and special teams are the reason that the Raiders won...

Johnie Lee Higgins put the Raiders in the lead going into the Half with an A-Mazing return. It looks like he may be on his way!!!!

Then what about CHRIS Johnson???!!! He is an Al Davis favorite that has made me forget all about DeAngelo Hall.

It was apparent that the Donkey's Game Planned their passing attack at CJ...And he sent then away time and again.

Cutler finished 16-37 and had ZERO TDs and 1 pick...

In fact, Cutler even looked Nnamdi's way in the end, Nnamdi had a sure pick and, even though Asomugha dropped the ball, the Broncos were done.

The defense had beaten down the Donkeys and they may NOT be heard from again!!!

The Raiders are 2-2 in the Division with games against San Diego and Kansas City still on the schedule. Can I get a Let's Go OAKLAND?????

J-Russ is 6-6 for 83 Yards. Nice performance after returning home, to his roots, to bury his Godmother. I think that he is playing inspired football and can't wait to see what he can do in the second half.

On a sour note, It is mind boggling that this team has not scored an offensive touchdown since Moses parted the Red Sea, yet, the two offensive weapons that were working in the first half, The Wild Raider and JaMarcus Russell, were not called upon until 4th dwon when we have 4 chances to score from inside the 5 yard line.

I have my doubts after being crushed in the second half by Baltimore, but I still have HOPE that the Raiders can will this one out.

The defense, especially Chris Johnson, are playing as well as they can and will need to continue this in order to pull out this victory.

RRAAAIIIDDEERRSS!!!!

Johnnie LEE BABY!!!!!!!!!

He does it again...That is two in two weeks!!!

You have to love the way that JON ALSTON ran down field with his helmet in his hand!!!!

The curse of firing Jason Elam is haunting the Broncos today!!!

OOAAKKLAANDDDD RRAAAIIDDEERRSS!!!!!

I have to say that chris Johnson was the player of the first half. he defensed nearly every pass thrown his way and made the hit of the year on Tatum Bell.

Wooooooo-HOOOOOO!!!!! RRAAAIIDDEERRSS!!!!!

Is this our Super Bowl? Will today be the day that this team snaps out of a 6 year hangover?

I don't have the answers to either of those questions, but, I do have hope.

I HOPE that JaMarcus steps up and that the defense will continue to give the offense a chance to win the game.

There has been talk that Shanahan will not go after Nnamdi, by the Rat himself, then that just says to the Raiders that the Broncos may go directly after him. Personally, I'd like to see that. I'd like to see Cutler, Marshall and Royal take it to Nnamdi 8-10 times today. Then I'd also like to see a pick or two and 5-6 passes defensed. They can get a couple catches on him, but he'd win the War. Once again, I'd like to see someone go after Nnamdi. I mean, let the kid play! This is NOT unlike the pitchers NOT pitching to Bonds when he was on a tear. I just want to scream, "Pitch to Nnamdi!!!".

Anybody who can make Nnamdi Asomugha a household name must be one damn good Football player, we just don't really get to see him play.

I also HOPE that Darren McFadden is healthy. If he is healthy, then he should be a large part of the offense today.

Who else here would like to see a little Wild Hawg today? Show of hands?

I HOPE that the Raiders win today...Will they? According to recent history...Probably NOT...But they CAN....

GO RAIDERS!!!!

Will this be more like the Jets in Oakland or the Ravens on the road. Remember, no West Coast team has won this year when the travel east for an early game...Stay Tuned Raider Nation!!!!

How long until Fassell takes the reigns of this carriage?

Kwame was hand picked by Cable and now it looks like Tom is just being stuborn if Henderson doesn't  start the second half.

20 minutes until some FOOTBALL!!!

RRRAAAIIDDEERRSS!!!!!

As I write this, it has been reported, as I have wondered about many times, by Chris Mortensen, that Jim Fassell has written a letter to Al Davis expressing his interest in coaching the Raiders.

I wonder if he sent it by courier and had it displayed on an overhead projector?

I am hoping that D-mac gets 20 touches today and that Curry gets out of the dog house long enough to remind us all what he can do!!!

Go RAIDERS!!!

I'm picking JaMarcus Russell to be the player of the game. He needs to be the man and lead this team to victory.