This game reminded me why  I stay faithful to the Raiders after 39 years. Forget about the last 6 seasons. Forget about blown 1st round draft choices. Forget about an owner who still thinks his antiquated views of player assessment and foolish control of player personnel has sold this team into the depths of dysfunction that makes other football fans shake their heads at us and chuckle.

This game, for 60 minutes and as important to a team attempting to make the playoffs in 2009 faced the grit and determination from a local highschool  QB who broke all of Dan Marino's passing records. The Steelers faced a team whose faithful continue to question the undying loyalty of their head coach who has absolutely refused to give up on the talent he sees in a mostly undisciplined team. This game, if I could just forget about all of the anguish this team has caused me recently. This game showed me that somewhere deep inside we really do have players that if they just believe the way their 4th yr QB believes, can beat any team on any given Sunday. I never want to see Jamarcus line behind a Raider center again.  We have found a quarterback.

Not since the home opener in 1976 when Ken Stabler guided the Raiders to a stirring 31-28 home victory over the Steelers with 17 points within the last 90 seconds have I felt like a did all of those years ago. Excited about a Raiders victory.  Of course, we won the SuperBowl XI that season, but it's just nice spend a Sunday afternoon with a smile on my face. That's why I stay faithful to the Raiders.