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Record nights for Gannon, Rice propel Raiders to rout

DENVER -- The Oakland Raiders turned Monday Night Football's anniversary celebration into a record-setting show for their old folks.

With 36-year-old Rich Gannon completing 21 straight passes and 40-year-old Jerry Rice becoming the first player to score 200 career touchdowns, the Raiders broke a four-game losing streak by beating the Broncos 34-10.

Rod Woodson, 37, extended his career record of interception returns for touchdowns with a 98-yarder in the first quarter that sent the Raiders on their way.

"You can't say enough about the veteran leadership on this team. This is the caliber of play we're capable of," Raiders coach Bill Callahan said.

The win on ABC's celebration of its 500th Monday night telecast brought Oakland within a game of the Broncos in the AFC West.

"They came into our backyard and kind of kicked us all over the field," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said.

Along with scoring two touchdowns for a total of 201, Rice broke Walter Payton's record for total yardage.

Gannon, who had struggled as the Raiders dropped to 4-4 after starting 4-0, completed 29 of his first 30 passes. His completion streak broke the mark of 20 set by the Bengals' Ken Anderson on Jan. 2, 1983.

The overall record of 22 was set by Joe Montana for San Francisco in two games in 1987.

Gannon had TD passes of 6 and 34 yards to Rice and 22 to Jerry Porter. On a 96-yard, third-quarter scoring drive, Gannon was 9-of-9 for 94 yards.

Gannon finished 34-of-38 for 352 yards as the Raiders, who had averaged 40.5 points in their four wins and 16 points in their four losses, returned to their September form.

Rice had nine catches for 103 yards. He has 21,817 total yards for his career, 14 more than Payton.

Woodson's return late in the first quarter turned the game after Denver, trailing 3-0, drove to the Oakland 4.

Woodson stepped in front of Clinton Portis, grabbed the ball and outran the fast-closing Rod Smith for his 12th career TD return.

Rice, who holds every major receiving record, got his 200th TD late in the first half on a 6-yard pass from Gannon.

The Raiders, who had lost seven straight in Denver, took over the game early and led 21-7 at halftime.

The Broncos also lost tight end Shannon Sharpe with a dislocated elbow in the first quarter and defensive end Trevor Pryce with a knee injury in the third.

Sebastian Janikowski's 47-yard field goal gave Oakland a 3-0 lead on the first drive of the game.

The Broncos reciprocated by driving from their 38 to the Oakland 4. But on second down, Woodson made the interception that turned the game.

Janikowski's 32-yard field goal early in the second quarter made it 13-0 before Denver went 68 yards on 13 plays to score on Portis' 1-yard run.

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