n PASSING OFFENSE: JaMarcus Russell missed high, low, wide, short, deep,
you name it. He also fumbled twice — he recovered the first one — was
sacked three times, had one pass intercepted in the end zone and
presided over an offense that netted 77 yards, three first downs and no
points. Grade: F
# RUNNING OFFENSE: Justin Fargas managed just 23 yards against a Falcons
defense that struggled in this area its first seven games. Michael Bush
had minus-2 yards on three carries. The Raiders totaled 67 yards on the
ground, with 46 coming on two Russell scrambles. Grade: F
# PASSING DEFENSE: Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan completed 8 of
his first 11 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with
220 yards and operated with impunity, for the most part. Grade: F
# RUNNING DEFENSE: Michael Turner reached the 100-yard mark early in the
third quarter and finished with 139 yards. Falcons backup Jerious
Norwood added 63 yards on 13 carries. Overall, the Raiders allowed 249
yards to running backs (4.8 yards per attempt). Grade: F
# SPECIAL TEAMS: Shane Lechler punted well (50.2 yard average), as
usual. Johnnie Lee Higgins had a 39-yard kick return. Isaiah Ekejiuba
blocked a punt in the fourth quarter. This game, though, was decided on
offense and defense. Grade: C
COACHING: The Falcons solved Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's
scheme with ease. Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's troops
couldn't run or throw well at all. Coach Tom Cable's former team played
with more intensity and dominated in every phase except punting. Grade: F
