Five Postgame Takes

1. What's that sound? A monkey jumping off our back. Opening game victory. Monday night victory. Prime time victory. Hue Jackson victory. RAIII-DERRS!

2. That said, they sure made it unnecessarily uncomfortable. A three point margin? Phew. It was a strange game. I felt like the Raiders dominated, but in the end, it wasn't a very dominant outcome. It seemed, in many ways, like a typical Raiders game of recent years, with the incessant stupid penalties, questionable composure, anemic passing game, and ill-timed defensive and special teams breakdowns...And yet it was also a different brand of football than we've become accustomed to, with a more aggressive and complex defensive approach, confident offensive playcalling at the right times, hard-nosed hitting on both sides of the ball, and, overall, just a better vibe. I think that the running game is setting the tone for this team, and everything else is trying to follow. Of course, there were games like this last year as well, tentative victories full of promise. It's time to deliver on that promise with consistent winning football. The weeks ahead will be very revealing.

3. Chicken or the egg? Campbell or our receivers?

4. Does Denver have the most annoying-looking fans or what?

5. I see a team that is caught in a cultural struggle between the recent past and a promising future. Tonight, they won that struggle. The nitpicker in me says it never should have been this close. But this is no time to nitpick. I called this a must-win game. They won. 'Nuff said. Great start to the season.

P.S. Jano's record-tying 63 yarder was the difference. Bravo!