NFL 2013 Week 2 Raiders Recap
The Oakland Raiders escaped at home to start the preseason, but faced a far sterner test at the New Orleans Saints.
The Raiders got the ball first after a touchback and Matt Flynn was nearly intercepted on the first play from scrimmage. On 3rd and 3 Flynn fired over the middle and David Ausberry made a juggling catch for a 24 yard gain to the Oakland 48. On 3rd and 1 Flynn threw incomplete. Dennis Allen decided to go for it on 4th and 1 at the Saints 43. Darren McFadden, who on 3rd and 3 came up short, was blown up in the backfield.
Drew Brees rolled out and fired a 15 yard completion. Another completion to Darren Sproles meant another first down. A run by Sproles lost 4 yards, Brees threw incomplete on 3rd and 12 at the Oakland 35. Garrett Hartley drilled a 53 yard field goal to put the Saints up 3-0.
The Raiders went 3 and out again as the offensive line looked atrocious. Chris Kluwe punted the ball 57 yards, but a strong return had the Saints starting again with excellent field position at their own 43. That was enough for Brees to go bombs away to Nick Toon. Former Saints defender Tracy Porter was burned as the Saints were now at the Oakland 2 yard line. Mark Ingram ran it in without having to face something as inconvenient as a defender. Only midway through the first quarter, the Raiders trailed 10-0.
A terrible kickoff return had the Raiders at their 18. Flynn immediately got belted. On 3rd and 7 Flynn was sacked again back at the 10 yard line.
The Saints got it back and Brees picked the Raiders defense apart. The Saints were helped along by a defensive pass interference penalty. On 3rd and short a lob pass from Brees to Sproles worked perfectly for an easy first down. As the first quarter was ending, Brees had all the time in the world to throw. With no pressure whatsoever, Brees fired to the corner and had another touchdown. The Raiders trailed 17-0 after the opening quarter.
The Raiders ended the first quarter by committing an offensive holding penalty. On 3rd and 17 from the 9, a West Coast Offense Dink and Dunk pass gained little. Meanwhile Brees threw early, often, and deep. The Saints would add a field goal to lead 20-0 with 10 1/2 minutes left in the half.
The Raiders would respond by having Flynn sacked again and getting another offensive holding penalty. They followed this up with a punt. Brees responded with another deep ball that led to another field goal and a 23-0 lead with just over 2 minutes left in the half. Flynn would quickly move the Raiders 82 yards in 11 plays and hit Denarius Moore for a 30 yard touchdown, but by then the Saints were bored. So were football fans not living in Louisiana.
Seneca Wallace and Terrell Pryor each started the third quarter as the game settled into a battle of backups. A promising drive for the Saints ended with a fumble. Despite being totally inept on offense, the Raiders got back in the game when Wallace was hit near his own goal line by David Bass. Ryan Robinson recovered the resulting fumble in the end zone for a gift touchdown.
Another gift came in the form of a tipped pass that Omar Gaither intercepted at the red zone. On 3rd and goal from the 7, a touchdown run by Pryor was called back by offensive holding. A field goal had the Raiders down 23-17. The Saints fumbled again but fell on it inside their own five yard line as the game entered the fourth quarter.
From his own 3 yard line, Wallace faded back into his end zone and threw a bomb that was dropped past midfield. The Raiders dodged a bullet.
The Raiders received another broke when a personal foul against the Saints on a punt had the Raiders starting at the Saints 43. Matt McGloin came in and immediately fired a completion for ten yards and a first down. McGloin threw into traffic and was almost intercepted, but Sebastian Janikowski came in for a 50 yard field goal. Seabass was supposed to be done for the day but backup kicker Eddie Carmona got hurt. Seabass drilled his kick and the Raiders were only down 23-20 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
With the Saints playing their third string quarterback, a deep bomb led to a very questionable defensive pass interference call that had the Saints at the Oakland 10 yard line. On 4th and goal at the one, the Saints went for it and the Raiders made an inspired goal line stand. The defense was what got the Raiders back in the game when it looked hopeless. The offense rewarded the defense when it counted most by giving up a safety and extinguishing any momentum and hope of a comeback. These are the Raiders.
The Saints took the free kick and moved easily. Yet again the Raiders clamped down on defense in the red zone, and the Saints settled for yet another field goal and a 28-20 lead with less than 3 minutes to play.
McGloin had his chance, and at the 2 minute warning the Raiders were at the Oakland 40. Yet 3rd and 1 was followed by consecutive false starts. These are the Raiders. McGloin was then sacked. Then he was intercepted.
Forget the score. This game was ugly, and does not bode well for the Silver and Black. 28-20 Saints
eric