Are you ready to re-fight and replay the infamous “Tuck Rule Game?” Otherwise known as the Snow Bowl or the Snow Job, the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game was played on January 19, 2002 and it was the final game in the history of Foxboro Stadium. The New England Patriots beat the Oakland Raiders 16-13 in one of the most controversial games of all time.
The Pats then went on to win the Super Bowl that season and into Gillette Stadium the next year. The Oakland Raiders won the AFC the very next season, then fell off the map until just this season.
While the Patriots used that season to build up their dynasty from there on out, the Raiders toiled in mediocrity or worse.
Now Oakland is back and they’re sitting at the top of the AFC. Right there with them, is of course, the Patriots. If the last quarter of the season plays out as the first 3/4 has, and then you have chalk in the postseason, guess what’s coming?
Yes, the Oakland Raiders versus the New England Patriots, except this time it could or would be in the AFC’s final round. It was a hot topic on all the Sunday morning NFL pregame shows, and then it carried over to the weekday Hot Take/Shouting Fest/Bloated Bloviating Talking Head Shows on Monday.
When it comes down to it, really your opinion and my opinion is as good as anyone else’s and the comments section is below so let your opinion be heard- Oakland Raiders or New England Patriots?
We took some of the better takes on this, from some of the bigger names and aggregated it here. We focused on the Sliver & Black though, naturally. The underdog upstart is always more compelling and likable.
“I think they’re (Oakland) going to win their division. And I think they can challenge the Patriots, simply because the Patriots defense isn’t a top-flight defense. Let’s face it…This is a different type of team you’re playing against, the Raiders, because they can run the ball effectively. That’s exactly what the Patriots will give up…I think this is a team that should win their division” -Boomer Esiason, CBS
“They can play any style you want and that’s why I feel like the Oakland Raiders can challenge the New England Patriots in the AFC.” – Michael Robinson, NFL Network on the Oakland Raiders
“This is a very good football team (Oakland). There’s no mistaking that. But I’m not prepared to say they’re the best team in the AFC West in their division yet because first of all, the Kansas City Chiefs have already gone there and won. The Denver Broncos are getting everybody back on defense. They won the Super Bowl last year.” –Tony Gonzalez, CBS the NFL Today
“Not at all, [and] that’s the mindset every week. I want to make whoever’s in front of me have a fit trying to block me. And you can tell I was gonna try to make that happen today.” – Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack on if anyone in the league can handle him
“It’s like every game, they find a way to win, and that builds character…Every week we find a reason to say they’re not gonna do it, and every week they prove us wrong…” – Ike Taylor, NFLN on the Oakland Raiders
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.