December 3, 2002
 

RAIDERS DEFEAT JETS 26-20 FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN

By the end of Oakland’s 26-20 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night, the Raiders had two of only three men in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions standing on their sideline.

Oakland WR TIM BROWN became the third man in the history of the NFL to join the elite club with a short catch during the third quarter.  Moments later, Raiders QB RICH GANNON connected with another member of the 1,000 reception fraternity, WR JERRY RICE, on a 26-yard touchdown pass to put Oakland ahead for good, 13-10.  Miami’s Cris Carter is the third receiver with 1,000 career catches (1,096).

Gannon enjoyed his ninth 300-yard passing game of the season, throwing for 342 yards and a touchdown, and tying the NFL record for most 300-yard games in a season. 

Jets QB CHAD PENNINGTON threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns in the losing effort, with his favorite target, WR LAVERANEUS COLES, catching 10 passes for 158 yards.

Oakland’s victory is its fourth in a row and moves the Raiders into a first-place tie with the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West lead.  After winning its first four games of the season, Oakland then dropped four straight before its current winning streak.