Defense Carries Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are on the ball this season--and appear on their way to their first playoff berth since 1993.

The Raiders recovered four fumbles and had one interception--returned 74 yards for a touchdown by Albert Lewis--in a 31-18 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

It was the fifth consecutive victory for Oakland (6-2), which is in second place in the AFC West behind Denver (8-0).

The Raiders have 13 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries this season, getting four takeaways in the second half against the Seahawks (4-4). That type of play was a rarity when Oakland went 4-12 last season.

“With the defense that we have, we just need to make sure we don’t mistakes on offense,” Raider wide receiver Tim Brown said. “It’s hard for teams to drive a long ways against our defense.”

Warren Moon completed his first 17 passes but his next throw went off tight end Christian Fauria’s hands to Lewis, who at 38 became the oldest player in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown. It gave the Raiders a 21-10 lead with 10:15 left in the third quarter.

“Any time the ball gets tipped in the middle of the field, usually bad things happen,” Moon said.

The Raiders got their final touchdown after Seahawk punt returner Ronnie Harris was hit by Mike Morton and fumbled, with Kenny Shedd returning it to the Seattle one. Oakland scored in bizarre fashion with 10:56 left when guard Darryl Ashmore recovered a fumble by teammate Jon Ritchie in the end zone.

Donald Hollas, starting his third consecutive game at quarterback for the Raiders in place of the injured Jeff George, was 12 for 22 for 237 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Moon was 29 for 39 for 275 yards and one touchdown with an interception and two lost fumbles.