FOR USE AS DESIRED
November 22, 1999

The Oakland Raiders travel to Denver tonight to play the Broncos in one of the most hotly contested matchups in Monday Night Football history.

The clubs will meet for a Monday Night Football record-tying 10th time. On those Monday nights, the series has been fought to a draw. Each club has four victories and a tie.

"I’m looking forward to it," says Raiders head coach JON GRUDEN. "It will be exciting. I think it’s great for the players to have the opportunity. They deserve it."

Raiders wide receiver TIM BROWN likes the uniqueness of Monday night.

"You’re the only show in town," says Brown, who has 30 catches for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his past four Monday-night games. "It’s the only game the NFL has that day. A lot of people are going to be watching you and you want to put on a good performance. This is a prime time to do it."

While Gruden will make his head-coaching debut on Monday Night Football, the Raiders are no strangers to the game. Oakland has played in 50 Monday-night games – winning 33 and tying one.

The Broncos, meanwhile, have won their past four home Monday-nighters and are 14-5 all-time at Mile High Stadium on Monday nights.

Following are some additional facts on tonight's matchup:

• The Raiders rank third all-time with 33 wins on Monday night (Miami 35, San Francisco 34).

• The Raiders’ .670 winning percentage on Monday night ranks second all-time (Seattle, .706; minimum 10 games).

• Oakland QB RICH GANNON has an 89.0 passer rating, with a 65.8 completion percentage and a four-to-two touchdown-to-interception ratio in his last two games against Denver.

• Oakland DE LANCE JOHNSTONE has six sacks in his past five games against Denver.

• Denver has won 12 consecutive AFC West games at Mile High Stadium.

• The Broncos are 6-3 under head coach MIKE SHANAHAN on Monday Night Football, including a perfect 3-0 against the Raiders.

• Shanahan has never lost to Oakland at Mile High Stadium (4-0).

• Denver WR ROD SMITH has a touchdown catch in each of his past two games against the Raiders.

• Denver DE NEIL SMITH’s 16 sacks against the Raiders are his most against any club. Smith has 1.5 sacks of Gannon.

• Former Raiders running back BO JACKSON rushed for 221 yards on Monday, November 30, 1987 – the highest rushing total in MNF history.

• Following are the most-contested series in Monday Night Football history: