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'It's our year' Raiders talking like team of destiny heading to title game
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick predicted last week that the winner of his team's game against the Tennessee Titans would determine the AFC's representative in the Super Bowl. The Oakland Raiders, obviously, have a different opinion. Billick was quoted as saying that everyone in the strong AFC Central had the same attitude: The conference champion was going to come from their division. "We have a right to think that. There's a little bit of divisional pride here," Billick said. "You'd like to think that, by golly, if it's not us, it's one of ours." Wait a second, Oakland head coach Jon Gruden replied Sunday. Isn't Billick forgetting something? "I know coach Billick is a good coach, a smart coach. But if I'm not mistaken, this next game will decide the AFC champion," he said. The Raiders (13-4) host the Ravens (14-4) on Sunday for the AFC title. Oakland earned its place in the game by taking the AFC West crown then routing another strong defense in the Miami Dolphins 27-0 on Saturday. On Sunday, the Ravens defeated the Titans 24-10 with touchdowns by their defense and special teams. The Raiders, who have only lost one game at home this season, will be making their first appearance in the title game since the 1990 season. "It's our year. I believe that," said David Dunn, a receiver who returns kickoffs. "I mean, we all believe that. It's our time. It has been a long time coming. We've got a group of people together who can play the game well." On Saturday, cornerback Tory James ran back an interception 90 yards on Miami's first possession and the Raiders' rout was on. Rich Gannon, selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team, was 12-of-18 for 143 yards. He hit James Jett with a 6-yard scoring pass. Tyrone Wheatley added a 2-yard touchdown dash, and rookie kicker Sebastian Janikowski had a pair of field goals. The Dolphins' sixth-ranked defense couldn't stop the pumped-up Raiders, who had not hosted a playoff game in Oakland since 1980. The game demonstrated the Raiders' balanced attack. They had 267 yards of total offense, including 140 yards rushing. Oakland has the best rushing game in the NFL. Baltimore's strength is their defense. On Sunday, they had just six first downs and 134 yards of total offense. Cornerback Ray Lewis ran an interception back 50 yards in Baltimore's victory Sunday. The Ravens (14-4) got another score from Anthony Mitchell, who returned a blocked field goal 90 yards. Gruden watched the game from the Raiders' training facility in Alameda, Calif. The players, some of whom made an appearance earlier in the day, were scattered by the time their opponent was decided. The preparation for the Dolphins should help the Raiders on Sunday. "Everybody was talking about the Dolphin attack, their defense and they rightfully should be because Miami deserved that. They ranked high in the league statistically and they'd been dominant against some very good offensive teams," Gruden said. "But I think our defense is good. I think they're getting better. They're playing together. And maybe they did play with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder. And if they did, it's something they should probably continue to play with."
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