The Raiders advanced to the 2002 AFC Championship game after defeating the Jets 30-10 in an AFC Divisional Playoff game at the Oakland Coliseum, then known as Network Associates Coliseum, on January 12, 2003. The Raiders finished the 2002 campaign with an 11-5 record, won the AFC West for the third straight year and earned the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Jets got on the board first with a K John Hall 38-yard field goal with 10:58 left in the first quarter. The Jets took a 3-0 lead after an 8-play, 45-yard drive that took 4:02 off the clock.
The Raiders answered with a 29-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal with 5:48 left in the first. The drive went 9 plays, 53 yards in 5:10, and was keyed by a 27-yard hookup between Raiders Gannon and WR Tim Brown.
DeLawrence Grant and the Raiders defense sacked Jets QB Chad Pennington four times. AP Photo.
The Silver and Black's defense forced the Jets into a three and out. Darrien Gordon called for a fair catch of a punt at the Raiders 37. The Raiders also went three and out. Shane Lechler's punt went out of bounds at the 23-yard line. Pennington lost the ball and Travian Smith recovered the fumble on the 27.
A few plays later, RB Charlie Garner blasted through to the one. Crockett's 1-yard touchdown run, followed by Janikowski's point after, put the Raiders up 10-3 with 13:44 left in the first half.
The Jets charged downfield on their next drive, but were unsuccessful on a 39-yard field goal attempt.
The Jets next drive resulted in points as Pennington tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Jerald Sowell.
The Raiders started off the second half by returning Hall's kickoff to the 30, but the Raiders were unable to score on the opening drive of the third quarter.
The Jets next drive started with a Curtis Martin gain of 12, but CB Tory James picked off a Pennington pass at the 45. Gannon's 29-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Porter, followed by Janikowski's point after, put the Raiders up 17-10 with 4:24 left in the third quarter.
The Raiders defense held the Jets on 4th and 3 and the ball was turned over on downs at the Raiders 35. A 50-yard pass to Porter put the Raiders on the 15. Rice's 9-yard touchdown reception capped the drive and increased the Raiders lead to 24-10.
WR Jerry Rice (80) celebrates his touchdown reception with his teammates. AP Photo.
Pennington's pass to Coles for a gain of 14 was followed by Richie Anderson fumbling Pennington's next pass, which was gathered in by LB Bill Romanowski. The first play of the Raiders next drive was then intercepted by Damien Robinson. LB Eric Barton answered that by picking off Pennington's first pass of the Jet's drive. The Raiders took over on the 38.
Garner started off the drive with a 16-yard carry, followed by 4-yard gain by Tyrone Wheatley. Wheatley continued the drive with a 24-yard gain, putting the Raiders on the 18, but the Silver and Black were forced to settle for a field goal. Janikowski's 34-yard kick increased the Raiders lead to 27-10.
DE Regan Upshaw's sack caused the Jets to lose six yards. On 4th and 16, Pennington's incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs to the Raiders at midfield.
Gannon's 15-yard pass to Rice gave the Raiders a first down on the 35. Charlie Garner carried for a gain of 11, followed by a one-yard run. On fourth and 5 at the NY 13, Janikowski's 31-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 30-10 lead.
With less than three minutes left in the game, the Jets failed score on their final drive of the game.
The Raiders advanced to face the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game the following weekend in Oakland.
