He may not have started the game, but JaMarcus Russell ended it in style.
For the second week in a row the starting quarterback turned backup quarterback was once again called into action, this time to replace the injured Charlie Frye. But this Sunday the former overall number one pick was finally able to move the chains.
With the Raiders trailing by six points late in the fourth quarter, Russell moved the offense 75 yards down the field, capping off the drive with a 10-yard strike to Chaz Schilens for the game-winning touchdown, as Oakland dealt a blow to the Broncos' playoff hopes with the 20-19 win.
Russell finished the game completing five of 11 passes for 47 yards and the touchdown. His passer rating was 88.1.
After getting passed on the depth chart for the second time this season, Russell made it into Sunday's game after Frye suffered a blow to the head about four minutes into the fourth quarter. Frye was nine for 17 for 68 yards and an interception before getting knocked out of the contest.
The quarterback situation got even more interesting during the Raiders' game-winning drive, when Russell was shaken up and had to come out of the game. That left Oakland with only emergency signal caller J.P. Losman, who was just signed as backup this week. The former UFL player threw an incomplete pass before Russell returned to action.
Now the Raiders will face another week of quarterback controversy as they wait to see if Bruce Gradkowski is able to return after tearing the MCL in both knees last week. If he is unable to go, Tom Cable must decide if it's time to give the reigns back to Russell, his opening day starter.
