Braun:

The Raiders should consider changing their motto from “just win baby” to “just don’t get blown out baby!”

However promising their 24-20 loss to the Chargers may have looked, it was just that — a loss. The defense performed well, giving up only 77 rushing yards and forcing two turnovers, but down the stretch Oakland let Philip Rivers and San Diego control the tempo of the game, ultimately leading to a game-winning touchdown.

Usually I’m one to praise a team for performing well, especially the Raiders. I mean, how could you not root for one of the worst teams in the NFL over the past six years? Really, since their embarrassing Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers, the Raiders have been in the cellar of the NFL.

Making even matters worse for them is the fact that they haven’t beaten the Chargers, a division rival, in 12 consecutive games, tied for the worst current losing streak to a single team in the NFL.

The reason why the loss hurts so badly stems from the fact that they played so well all game. Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly looked like they can make a difference on the defensive line and their cornerbacks performed well too. The biggest question mark remaining, however, is JaMarcus Russell. The quarterback hasn’t played up to standards, and if he doesn’t improve quickly, the Raiders will be looking at yet another disappointing season.

This year won’t be any different for Oakland. Blowing their late lead to San Diego just proved how much the Raiders haven’t changed one bit.

Bleach:

While the Raiders and Al Davis have become a running joke in my column this past year, the worst performance of the week easily goes to the Buffalo Bills.

Or more specifically, kick returner Leodis McKelvin.

Let’s break it down: When you are leading with two minutes left in the game there is only one thing you can do to hurt the team.

Anyone have a guess as to what that is?

If you said anything besides fumble the ball, just stop reading now.

What made the fumble all the more appalling, however, was taking the ball out of the end zone and then continuing to fight for more yards after first contact. I think all 15 Bills fans at that point were screaming, “Just go DOWN!” at their TV sets. Seriously, fumbling was the only big mistake McKelvin made, and he proceeded to crush Bills’ nation town when he coughed up the ball.

To make matters worse, McKelvin rubbed some salt in the wound with this quote:

”I chose to bring it out because that’s me, no matter what it is,” McKelvin said of the lost fumble. ”If I had that choice, probably 100 times, I’d do it again.”

Really? You wouldn’t learn from the biggest mistake the Bills’ have had since signing T.O.? Really?

The Raiders loss was bad, but ultimately, expected. The Bills took the best team in their division to the brink of victory, only to have McKelvin fumble over the edge.