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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Tory James didn't wait until he reached
the end zone to start celebrating.
The Oakland cornerback high-stepped for the final 25 yards of
his 90-yard interception return that started the Raiders on a 27-0
rout of the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
The victory sent Oakland to the AFC championship game for the
first time since the 1990 season.
"Before I go to sleep, I always visualize making plays," James
said. "It seems like today my dreams came true."
|  | | Rich Gannon scrambles out of trouble during the Raiders' 27-0 rout of the Dolphins on Saturday. |
The Raiders (13-4), who have not been in the playoffs since
1993, will play the winner of Sunday's game between the Baltimore
Ravens and the Tennessee Titans.
Rich Gannon completed 12 of 18 passes for 143 yards and a
touchdown. Tyrone Wheatley ran for another score and rookie
Sebastian Janikowski kicked two field goals.
The Dolphins (12-6), who had won three straight regular-season
games in Oakland, couldn't overcome a 20-0 first-half deficit. The
Raiders have allowed only two touchdowns in their last 15 quarters
at home.
It was the latest postseason humiliation for the Dolphins, who
have been beaten by the combined score of 127-10 at this stage of
playoffs the last three years.
Last season, the Dolphins were blown out 62-7 by the
Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional playoff game. Two years ago,
they were defeated 38-3 in the second-round by the Denver Broncos.
"Every team has its cross to bear, its hurdle to get over,"
receiver Oronde Gadsden said. "The second round of the playoffs is
ours."
Jay Fiedler was 18-of-38 for 176 yards and three interceptions
for Miami.
The Raiders couldn't get much done offensively on their first
series, so their defense helped out on Miami's first possession.
With the Dolphins on the Raiders' 17, James intercepted
Fiedler's pass for Leslie Shepherd and ran it back for the
touchdown -- high-stepping with fellow cornerback Charles Woodson.
"After going three-and-out on the first series, I sagged,"
Oakland coach Jon Gruden said. "Next thing you know, old No. 20 is
down the sidelines."
It was the first career touchdown for James, a five-year NFL
veteran in his first season with the Raiders. He added another
interception in the fourth quarter.
Oakland went up 10-0 on Janikowski's 36-yard field goal with
4:52 left in the first quarter. He added a 33-yard field goal
midway through the second quarter.
Janikowski, the 17th pick overall and the only kicker taken in
the first round since 1979, has hit 18 of his last 22 field goal
attempts. His 58-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first
half fell short.
Turnovers hurt the Dolphins. Woodson recovered Lamar Smith's
fumble Miami's 43, and Gannon hit James Jett with a 6-yard
touchdown pass with 1:53 to go before halftime.
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Like Your Chances Now?
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None of the four remaining playoff teams were considered serious Super Bowl contenders before the season started. Here are the odds to win the Super Bowl offered on Aug. 11, 2000 by Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which supplies lines to the majority of Nevada's legal bookmakers.
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Team
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Odds
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Oakland
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20-1
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Baltimore
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25-1
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Minnesota
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50-1
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New York
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100-1
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The Dolphins' sixth-ranked defense couldn't stop the pumped-up
Raiders, who had not hosted a playoff game in Oakland since 1980.
In the first half alone, Gannon completed 10-of-13 passes for
117 yards. In the second half, the Raiders' top-rated rushing
offense took over.
Wheatley, the Raiders' top back with 242 carries for a
career-high 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season,
scored from two yards out with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
Gannon, named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro Team, ran five
times for four first downs.
James, who had been obscured by the skills of Woodson and Eric
Allen, almost added another touchdown as well.
Late in the third quarter, the ball was knocked from Fiedler's
hands in what appeared to be a fumble. James scooped up the ball
and ran it back 47 yards into the end zone -- again accompanied by
Woodson.
But Fielder's throw was ruled an incomplete pass, negating
James' effort.
The Raiders' defense effectively shut down Smith, who came into
the game with 13 touchdowns in Miami's last 10 games. He finished
with eight carries for four yards, a week after rushing for 209
yards on a playoff-record 40 carries.
Gadsden, Miami's top receiver, managed just one catch for 33
yards.
After the game, Gruden sprinted across the field and high-fived
end zone fans in Oakland's infamous Black Hole.
"We're proud to be part of a good season," he said. "We'd
like to make it a great season."
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ALSO SEE
Miami Clubhouse
Oakland Clubhouse
Clayton: Raiders' depth buries Dolphins
Clayton: James lives dream at perfect time
Round Two knocks out Dolphins again
Dolphins-Raiders notebook
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Coach Jim Fassel and the Giants discuss their victory over the Eagles.
RealVideo: | 28.8
 Jon Gruden says the Raiders' defense played like they had something to prove.
wav: 162 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Tory James says it was his time to step up and play well.
wav: 110 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dave Wannstedt gives credit to the Raiders' defense.
wav: 100 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Miami's Jay Fiedler tries to explain the Tory James' interception that set the tone of the game.
wav: 80 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Charles Woodson and the Raiders had the Dolphins' running game in check all day.
wav: 80 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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