You Really Don’t Have to Hand It to the Raiders

Times NFL writer Sam Farmer poses--and answers--the league’s burning questions.

Question: Do you need a great ground attack to win in the NFL?

Answer: Not if you’re the Oakland Raiders. They won the AFC West Sunday despite being one of two teams without a 100-yard rusher this season. Arizona is the other.

Q: Who is the real A-Train?

A: Chicago rookie Anthony Thomas has rushed for 865 yards and is on track for 1,000. That’s something Tampa Bay’s Mike Alstott (488 yards) has never done, even though he has griped about the rookie using the nickname.

Q: Who is the latest up-and-coming coaching phenom?

A: Tom Clements, Pittsburgh Steeler quarterbacks coach. Word is, the Dallas Cowboys might want to hire him as their offensive coordinator next season.

Q: Why are the Eagles dying to get out of Veterans Stadium?

A: Aside from the place being a dump, they can’t win there. They are 2-5 at home, 6-0 on the road. They play Saturday at San Francisco.

Q: Why did New Orleans fans toss those bottles?

A: Here’s what one of those arrested lugheads told the Times-Picayune: “There were beer bottles flying and there were two or three by my feet. And I say, ‘Hey, why not? Here’s something that I need to get out from under my feet.’ Next thing I know, some guard’s got me by the arm.”

The nerve of that guard.