News, notes and quotes from Thursday’s media availability sessions:
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The Raiders announced Sunday’s game against Houston had not sold out 72 hours in advance and would be blacked out on local television.
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Wide receiver Louis Murphy was back on the field with his injured clavicle but looked something less than 100 percent.
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There’s still three full days of recovery to go, but one of the Raiders biggest concerns heading in to Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans will be if they’ll be healthy enough to keep running back Arian Foster and their cutback running system under control.
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Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly seemed amused when asked about the Raiders’ status as the No. 2 (tied) ranked defense in the NFL.
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The Houston Texans are finding it slow going in their bid to go from mediocrity to a legitimate playoff contender.
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Join Jerry McDonald for a Raiders live chat today at noon as he breaks down what went wrong against Arizona and what lies ahead Sunday when Houston comes to town.

“Waiting for the snap . . . fourth down . . . here it is . . .snap! spotted down! It’s kicked. That’s got a chance. That is — good! It’s good — Holy Toledo! Holy Toledo! This place has gone wild. I don’t believe it! I do not believe it! There are three seconds left in the game. If you can hear me, this place has gone wild . . . the Oakland Raiders 23! . . . the Cleveland Browns 20!

“George Blanda has just been elected king of the world! I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it! Holy Toledo! It went 53 . . . no 52 yards! George Blanda has just been elected king of the world!”
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For what it’s worth, Sebastian Janikowski feels worse than you do.
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Former Raiders great George Blanda, who died Monday at age 83, will always be remembered for an unbelievable five-week stretch of heroics in 1970.

Blanda’s feats landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Time, and prompted Raiders announcer Bill King to exclaim that the ageless wonder had been elected “King of the World.”

With the help of some Oakland Tribune archives, here’s a look back on that magical time in Oakland 40 years ago:

1. Oct. 25, 1970 at Oakland: RAIDERS 31, STEELERS 14

Blanda, then a 43-year-old kicker and backup quarterback, took over for starting quarterback Daryle Lamonica and threw three touchdown passes to lead the Raiders to a victory over the stunned Steelers. Archived Tribune game story.

2. Nov. 1, 1970 at Kansas City: RAIDERS 17, CHIEFS 17

Blanda’s 48-yard field goal barely clears the crossbar and the finger tips of the Chiefs’ 6-foot-9 Morris Stroud, who was positioned under the goal post in order to swat the kick away. Archived Tribune game story

3. Nov. 8, 1970 at Oakland Coliseum: RAIDERS 23, BROWNS 20

Blanda relieved Lamonica and threw a TD pass with 1:34 left to tie the game and then kicked the game-winning field goal with three seconds remaining that prompted King to call him “King of the World.” Archived Tribune game story

4. Nov. 15, 1970 at Denver: RAIDERS 24, BRONCOS 19

Coach John Madden summoned Blanda into the game for another crack at a mircle and George didn’t disappoint. He threw a 20-yard TD pass to Fred Biletnikoff with 2:28 left in the game to give the Raiders another come-from-behind victory. Archived Tribune game story.

5. Nov. 22, 1970 at Oakland Coliseum: RAIDERS 20, CHARGERS 17

The miracle worker story angle was getting nearly as old as Blanda himself by the time his 16-yard field goal with eight seconds left beat the Chargers. Archived Tribune game story.