When Sebastian Janikowski tied the N.F.L. record by making a 63-yard field goal to end the first half against the Broncos on Monday night, few on the Oakland side of the field were surprised. Janikowski routinely kicks 65-yarders in practice, and made one from 70 in pregame warm-ups Monday.
It was not even the longest kick the Raiders have had him attempt in a game. Lane Kiffin let Janikowski try a 64-yarder in 2007 and a 76-yarder in 2008. (The first was long enough but hit the right upright; the second was a bit out of range, even for Janikowski, though in his defense he was kicking into the wind.) Under Tom Cable in 2009, Janikowski set a team record by hitting from 61 yards in a game against the Browns.
But the best part of Monday night’s kick might have come before Janikowski trotted out to take it. With 17 seconds left, the Raiders declined the chance to get him a little closer and instead ran Michael Bush right for no gain. What appeared to be a wasted play was in fact a favor; the left-footed Janikowski, nicknamed the Polish Cannon, prefers to kick from the right hash mark.
“Most teams would be like, ‘Man, why are they running the ball in that situation?’ ” Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell said. “We ran the ball because we have trust in him.”
Janikowski said he had now achieved two of the three goals he set for himself when he entered the league: to play 10 seasons (he is starting his 12th); to match the record for the longest field goal, set by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and matched by Jason Elam in 1998; and to win a Super Bowl.
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