Raiders' Woodson focused on wins, not ‘shiny toys'

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OAKLAND – Charles Woodson turned 39 on Wednesday. He’s playing his 18th season with a bum right shoulder, which causes tremendous pain on gameday. He had to pop the joint back into place more than once during Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Yet, somehow, despite all that, Woodson finds a way to make big plays. The ageless wonder made a few more in a 16-10 loss at O.co Coliseum. He intercepted quarterback Peyton Manning twice, once in the end zone and again when Denver was driving late in the third quarter.

The interceptions were clutch, record-breaking and part of a recent trend. Woodson has four interceptions in the last three games, with all of them coming in key moments. These last two make Woodson the oldest player with a multi-interception game.

Woodson’s last pick was his 64th, which ties him with Ed Reed for No. 6 all-time interceptions list.

“It’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “Just to playing alone at 39 years old is incredible. But to be such a productive player and making big plays in the game. Clearly he’s banged up, but he’s fighting through the pain. His pain threshold is off the charts. I’m really proud of the effort that we’re getting from our guys.”

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He had four tackles and two passes defensed, but his interceptions stole the show. The fact they came against Manning made them sweeter. Woodson and Manning are forever linked as 1997 Heisman finalists – Woodson won – and two of three remaining members of the 1998 NFL Draft class. Woodson had never intercepted Manning, and discussed the possibility in interviews during the week.

Woodson emphasized the tremendous respect he has for Manning, but didn’t care to discuss individual accomplishments after such a difficult loss.

“Really, I don’t even want to talk about the interceptions because of the fact we did lose the game. It was all about winning the game,” Woodson said. “I know it was a big deal all week about that aspect of it, but it’s never about that.

“Those things are the shiny things, shiny toys that you like, but it’s about wins and losses, man. As I said a few days ago, our mission is to win our division and the only way we can do that is to beat the team that’s won it the last few years. Today we dropped the ball on that.”

It’s hard to say Woodson dropped the ball in his performance. He came through for his team time and again, but the offense and special teams could score enough against a stingy Broncos defense.

Woodson left the field in disappointment, but is thrilled for an upcoming bye week. He’s been playing in pain since dislocating his right shoulder in Week 1, and what should be a week’s downtime is welcomed.

“I’ve got a few (ailments) going on,” Woodson said. “I can tell you, I’ve never been so happy to go into the bye week, I think in my whole career. It’s been a rough couple of weeks.”

Playing well through pain and advanced age has proven inspirational to a young core trying to establish a new era for a downtrodden franchise.

“He’s the greatest of all time, man,” Raiders edge rusher Khalil Mack said. “(C-Wood), you see the hard work he puts in and you see it paying off every week. Wisdom, talented, playmaker ability, jumped over a guy, grabbed the ball, still tried to put two feet down (on his third-quarter interception). The greatest of all time. The G.O.A.T."

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