Raiders Leave Mark as Division Champs

OAKLAND —  Coach Jon Gruden’s celebration of the Oakland Raiders’ first division title in a decade included a Gatorade shower and a trip to the Black Hole. And now, what about a tattoo?

“I told Andre Rison if we won the AFC West, I’d get one of those tattoos he wears,” Gruden said. “I’m going to try and sneak out of here tonight.”

Rich Gannon threw five touchdown passes, and Eric Allen returned an interception 37 yards for a score as the Raiders won the AFC West with a 52-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Gruden might spend the next few days trying to avoid getting that tattoo, but it’s clear his team has avoided its late-season problems of years past. After December swoons in Gruden’s first two seasons in charge, the Raiders (12-4)--having already clinched their first playoff berth since 1993--are headed to the postseason on a roll.

The Raiders tied the franchise record for points and shut out the Panthers after halftime, in winning the division for the first time since 1990 and earning a playoff bye with their largest victory margin of the season.

“With a dominant win like this, we let everybody know you’ve got to bring your best game to beat this team,” said wide receiver Tim Brown. “We don’t plan on slowing down.”

Tight ends Rickey Dudley and Jeremy Brigham each caught two touchdown passes, and Darrien Gordon’s 74-yard fumble return for a score on the game’s final play allowed Oakland to tie the team record for points in a game, set Dec. 22, 1963, against Houston.

The officials had to clear both teams off the field to allow Sebastian Janikowski to kick the last extra point. The Raiders doused Gruden with 45 seconds left, and afterward, he ran to the west end zone and exchanged high-fives with fans in the Black Hole section.

Because of wins this weekend by Denver and Miami, the Raiders needed a victory over Carolina to clinch a first-round bye. Mission accomplished: Oakland, which went 7-1 at the Coliseum this season and has a six-game home winning streak, will play host to a playoff game on Jan. 6 or 7.

“It’s like a heavyweight fight,” said running back Tyrone Wheatley, who rushed for 66 yards and finished with 1,046 for the season. “Whoever’s winning, we’ll fight them.”

Gannon was 26-of-32 passing for 230 yards, and was one touchdown pass short of the franchise held by Tom Flores and Daryle Lamonica. His remaining touchdown pass went to Brown, his 11th touchdown reception of the season.

“This is great, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t go to the Super Bowl,” Rison said. “This team has shown this month that it’s ready to be in the NFL’s elite.”