The bandwagon eased out of the starting gate Friday night, sputtering a time or two before ultimately emerging with a potential major dent in the fender.
The Raiders, a trendy playoff pick even by some of the most skeptical media pundits, beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-10 at University of Phoenix Stadium, and did little to alter the mostly glowing public perception that the first playoff season since 2002 is at hand.The most notable occurrence was an apparent leg injury to starting defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., who needed help to make it off the field and was carted to the locker room.