OAKLAND, Calif. — Walk through the parking lot at o.Co Coliseum, past the family with painted faces, past the man dressed like a sliver-and-black Transformer standing under the inflatable Darth Vader head, and the passion assaults the senses.
This is a rock concert disguised as a football game.
Even if it requires a long memory, if not delusion, these Oakland fans believe in the Raiders' commitment to excellence. It has not come at the Broncos' expense since Peyton Manning arrived in Denver. The Broncos sauntered across the Bay Bridge with a perfect record as an imperfect team.