Raiders turn up intensity.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

ALAMEDA, Calif. _ Defensive end Tony Bryant arrived at the Raiders training facility Monday not quite sure what to make of his first exposure to playoff fever. Then again, few do around here after a six-year drought.

Will Saturday's AFC divisional playoff game against the Miami Dolphins be just like the Raiders' first 16 games this season? Or will the action be faster, the hitting harder and the pressure more intense? Bryant got his answer during a morning weightlifting session.

"It's amazing," Bryant said, "everybody has that extra oomph that they didn't have a week or so ago. There's a lot of excitement going on around here. We're definitely ready to go."

Full-scale, on-field preparation begins Tuesday for Saturday's game against the Dolphins. The verbal game kicked off Monday and had no shortage of participants.

"This is like a heavyweight fight," running back Tyrone Wheatley said. "Whoever slugs it out the longest is going to win. These are the kinds of games that you live for. If you don't want to play in these games, then stay home and watch it on television."

Fortunately for Raiders fans, the game will be sold out in advance of the league blackout deadline, so they will be able to watch a Raiders home game on television for only the fourth of nine times this season.

Fans in attendance at Network Associates Coliseum or at home can expect a hard-fought, down-to-the-wire game, right tackle Lincoln Kennedy said. There aren't any more San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons or Carolina Panthers on the schedule.