Raiders’ Comeback Grounds Jets

The Raiders signed Rich Gannon to provide steady, mistake-free leadership at quarterback. On Sunday, he added a dose of heroism as Oakland rallied from a 17-point deficit and defeated the New York Jets.

Gannon, who led the Raiders to three touchdowns in the final 16 minutes despite a sore left wrist, threw a five-yard pass to James Jett with 26 seconds remaining to give Oakland a 24-23 victory over New York, which got 123 yards rushing from Curtis Martin.

The Raiders (4-3) have had all their games decided by a touchdown or less.

“This football team is killing me,” Oakland Coach Jon Gruden said with a grin. “It was a great win, it wasn’t always pretty. But we knew it would come down to the fourth quarter.”

Trailing, 20-3, late in the third quarter, Gannon threw a 45-yard scoring pass to Tim Brown and then led the Raiders on an 83-yard drive capped by Zack Crockett’s three-yard scoring run.

After John Hall’s third field goal for the Jets (1-6), Gannon led a 90-yard drive in the final two minutes. It included a 17-yard pass to Brown on fourth and one at the Oakland 19 and a 36-yard pass to Brown that got the ball to the New York five.

“We couldn’t tackle the quarterback all day,” Jet Coach Bill Parcells said. “He scrambled and made improvised plays right up until the last play of the game. All we have to do is make one or two of those and it’s over.

“I’m just disappointed, I’m just fed up with the situation.”

Gannon completed 26 of 51 passes for 352 yards and led the Raiders with 60 yards rushing. Oakland tailback Tyrone Wheatley, held to 18 yards in eight carries, fumbled twice and was knocked out of the game in the third quarter because of a back injury and was taken to a hospital for examination.

Brown had 11 catches for 190 yards.

The Raiders, who were first in the NFL in rushing with 140 yards a game, were held to 117 yards in 23 carries. Gannon had more than half his team’s rushing total.

“Rich has always been that leader,” offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy said. “We’re probably the first team that has given him that chance and said, ‘You’re our quarterback, now lead us to the promised land.’ ”