NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ That popular story line about how the Raiders will go as far as the offense takes them?
Might want to rework the narrative a little bit.
The Raiders beat the Tennessee Titans, 26-16, on Sunday in their regular-season opener, a game which bore no resemblance to the 35-34 shootout a year ago in New Orleans that propelled the Raiders to a 12-4 season.
Instead, the Raiders outplayed a potential playoff team in all three phases, getting contributions from quarterback Derek Carr, running back Marshawn Lynch and virtually the whole receiving corps, a defense that allowed just six points in the second half, and four field goals from emergency kicker Giorgio Tavecchio from distances of 20, 52, 52 and finally 46 yards.
Tavecchio's last attempt sent fans streaming for the exits with 1:09 to play.
"I thought all three phases played solid overall. Our team is well conditioned," coach Jack Del Rio said. "We came in here knowing this is a tough team and a tough situation, and we would have to be ready to roll and we were, so I am proud of our guys."
The Raiders took a 7-0 lead on their first possession and never trailed against a Tennessee team that was 9-7 last season and considered a breakthrough possibility much as Oakland was a year ago.
