Raiders running back Darren McFadden’s five yard TD run with 1:07 left to play gave Oakland a 13-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium despite being dominated in just about every statistical category. Quarterback Matt Cassel made his debut for the Chiefs and Bobby Wade on a short week of practice came up with some big catches.
After the Chiefs drove down the field for an early field goal, the offense was unable to get on the board again until the fourth quarter. There were times when Cassel looked good and times when he looked not so good. Cassel was 24 of 39, but he got picked off twice. On the other hand he made some good throws and got some great from Wade, Bobby Engram and Dwayne Bowe.
Wade had six catches for 72 yards and Engram came up big on a third down catch that kept the Chiefs scoring drive alive late in the fourth quarter. A couple of plays later, Cassel made a great throw to Bowe for a 29 yard touchdown and the lead with 2:38 to play.
Oakland’s JaMarcus Russel put together a nice nine play drive at the end that left the Chiefs heartbroken despite dominating the game. They outgained the Raiders 409 to 166 and held the ball for 17:18 longer than Oakland. They had 25 first downs and 173 yards rushing.
Despite dominating in the stats, head coach Todd Haley could pinpoint the problems. "I think when you have nine penalties, two turnovers – really three at the end of the half considering that’s a turnover – a couple of other little lapses, you’re not going to win most of the time."
Once again another late loss and the inability to close out games continues to haunt the Chiefs.
Raiders steal one from Chiefs
Rams come up short in DC
The Rams put themselves in position to win late at Washington, but a Donnie Avery fumble was recovered by the Skins on their own seven yard line. From there, Washington held on for the 9-7 win dropping the Rams to 0-2 on the season.
The Rams defense bent from never broke as Washington got into the redzone five times. On three of those opportunities they came away with short field goals of 21, 28, and 23. Down 6-0, the Rams put together a nice 10 play, 84 yard drive that was capped by a two yard touchdown catch from Marc Bulger to Laurent Robinson.
The Rams led 7-6 at the half, and after Washington’s third field goal in the third quarter, it looked like the Rams would take the lead again as they were driving until Avery’s fumble. Washington got down inside the Rams five late and went for it on 4 th and one, but the Rams stuffed Ladell Betts taking over deep in their own territory late.
Under pressure and unable to get the Rams out from beyond their goal post shadows, Bulger misfired on a long pass to Avery on fourth down and Washington ran out the clock in the closing seconds.
Marc Bulger was just 15 of 28 for 125 yards and one touchdown and Steven Jackson rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries. It was Jackson’s 58 yard run that helped set up the Rams only touchdown as he passes Dick Bass for fourth on the Rams’ all-time rushing list. While the Rams defense actually held Washington out of the end zone, the offense continues to struggle now with just one TD in its first two games.
State Education Commissioner bracing for tough economic times
The recently-concluded General Assembly Veto Session gave lawmakers and other state officials a chance to discuss budget problems faced by the state and how those problems will impact various government activities. It’s difficult to predict whether education will be spared as belts are tightened.
"I think our biggest challenge, this year, is going to be the budget," said Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro. "There is no question that the fiscal realities of Missouri and of our country are such that that we are going to have to make some very difficult choices."
Nicastro understands that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and our public schools will have to get the most out of every dollar that is allocated. And she realizes we are going through some tough economic times.
"The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has an interesting role," said Nicastro. "Our role, really, is to secure the best quality education for the children of this state that we can. Having said that, we also have to be a part of the state team, and that means that we’re going to have to support the General Assembly, the Governor, other departments as we all work together to craft a path for Missouri that gets us through this tough time."
As for whether things might be so tough that the school funding formula might not be fully funded, Nicastro remains optimistic.
"That’s one of the things we’re working through right now," said Nicastro. "I think we’re going to be working closely with the Office of Administration to determine what those numbers look like."
Nicastro moved into the post in August, succeeding the late Commissioner Kent King who died in January following a lengthy illness.
