It was time. Your Oakland Raiders meant to contend with the two-time defending NFL Champion New England Patriots in the marquee 2005 NFL Kickoff game.
No, let us begin again, the Raiders did not go Eastward just to contend. There was talk within the Nation of cold revenge, of making a statement, of something that had occurred here just a few seasons past that can not be spoken about directly.
Fresh arrows there were in the quiver; by name there was LaMont, and Randy, and the fleet-footed flotilla of rookie defensive backs, all of them hailing to Al's word. His word was to make for the village of Foxborough by Thursday, and there, to put the home team to the sword.
It is our duty to tell you what then came next. This is what happened there on that day.
By SFist Christopher Rogers, contributing