On the game's final play last Sunday, with Houston needing five yards for the go-ahead touchdown, the quarterback Matt Schaub rolled out. Staring at a vast expanse of green grass, he elected to pass instead of run it in.
The safety Michael Huff intercepted to preserve a 25-20 Oakland Raiders win, and moments later it became apparent why Schaub saw open spaces: Oakland had only 10 men on the field.
Observers attributed the improbable finish to the "Hand of Al".
Hue Jackson is a believer, sort of. The Oakland coach might not go so far to say Al Davis - the Raiders' gruff owner who died the day before at age 82 - mystically used the players as hand puppets.
He does contend that Davis's spirit lifted them, even if one neglected to report for duty on the last play.
For all of Davis's enemies - and there was no shortage - he inspired deep loyalty in some.
One was Jackson, whose instant reaction to the victory was dropping to his knees and weeping.
"Losing that man hurt me more than you know," Jackson told the team amid a muted celebration in the locker room.
"I know he loves you guys, just like he loves this coaching staff and this organisation."
As the Raiders bowed their heads, Jackson added: "Al, we love you. We know you're watching over this team."
What some coaches would consider meddling, Jackson regarded Davis's constant input as instructive. The boss would not just duck into his office unannounced but would phone him at any hour.
Some outsiders had long viewed Davis as a self-appointed super-head coach. It was no coincidence that Jackson and others addressed him as "coach". It is inarguable that the once-innovative man in black, who advanced the passing game, had let the game - at least the off-the-field aspects - pass him by.
His fondness for signing and drafting ne'er-do-wells who were asked to abide by one commandment - "Just win, baby" - had become an antiquated approach as other franchises thrived with high-character players.
Now it falls on Jackson, an unsung offensive coordinator until his promotion, to decide how much of his mentor's methods to carry over, and how often to evoke his memory.
Bruce Davis, a Raiders linebacker, will need no reminder. He met Al as a toddler when his father, also named Bruce Davis, was a Raider.
"He gave two generations of Davis men the opportunity to live out our dreams and play football," the young Davis said in tribute. "There's nothing like that silver-and-black jersey."
sports@thenational.ae
@ For more on the NFL 2011-12 season visit thenational.ae/topics
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
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Abu Dhabi GP starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)
8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)
12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14 Sergio Perez (Force India)
15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)
19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
20 Lance Stroll (Williams)
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Results
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Results
Final: Iran beat Spain 6-3.
Play-off 3rd: UAE beat Russia 2-1 (in extra time).
Play-off 5th: Japan beat Egypt 7-2.
Play-off 7th: Italy beat Mexico 3-2.
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km