The Oakland Raiders are officially back home Sunday, as they play host to the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Although Cam Newton and Co. came out of the gates a little slowly in 2016, the reigning NFC champions have won three of their last four games, including last week's 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
The Silver and Black are themselves winners of four in a row, and will look to continue their winning ways Sunday afternoon.
Pregame:
Head Coach Jack Del Rio announced Thursday afternoon that rookie linebacker Shilique Calhoun would miss Sunday's game against the Panthers after undergoing a knee procedure, and Saturday, the Raiders made a pair of transactions, promoting linebacker Tyrell Adams and linebacker/defensive end James Cowser to the active roster.
In corresponding moves, they also released veteran tackle Matt McCants, and waived tight end Ryan O'Malley.
Ninety minutes prior to kickoff, the Raiders announced the following players were inactive for the Week 12 matchup at the OACC:
Quarterback Connor Cook
Cornerback Dexter McDonald
Cornerback David Amerson
Running Back DeAndré Washington
Linebacker Perry Riley Jr.
Guard Denver Kirkland
Linebacker Shilque Calhoun
The captains for today's game are safety Reggie Nelson, center Rodney Hudson, defensive lineman Denico Autry, cornerback TJ Carrie, defensive end Khalil Mack, and quarterback Derek Carr.
The Oakland Raiders won the coin toss, but per usual, have elected to defer to the second half.
First Quarter:
Cornerback David Amerson was ruled inactive prior to kickoff, and in his stead, DJ Hayden has been inserted into the Raiders base defense.
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.'s group has enjoyed a nice start to the Week 12 matchup, forcing a three-and-out by Cam Newton and the Panthers on their first drive of the afternoon.
However, the Raiders weren't able to get much rolling on their first drive either, and they punted the ball back to the Panthers just before crossing midfield.
Punter Marquette King brought his dancing shoes though, as he finished off his first punt of the day with a few, quick dabs.
The Raiders were able to force another punt on the Panthers second possession, and this time Carr and the offense were able to take advantage.
After a pair of impressive chunk passes – one to Latavius Murry and one to Seth Roberts – Carr finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Roberts, his fifth of the season.
Sebastian Janikowski added the PAT, so with 4:48 left in the first quarter, the Silver and Black have gone ahead 7-0.
The Panthers have answered in short order though, as Newton – helped immensely by two penalties – engineered a five-play, 75-yard drive that he capped with a three-yard touchdown run.
Graham Gano connected on the PAT, so with 3:10 left in the first quarter, we're all tied up at 7-7.
We've come to the end of the first quarter, and we're still tied at 7-7, although Carr and the Raiders are driving, and set to face a 3rd and 3 at the Panthers 37-yard line when play resumes.
Second Quarter:
The Raiders have gone back ahead.
After the Panthers tied the game, Carr answered by engineering a 10-play, 71-yard drive punctuated by a four-yard touchdown run by Latavius Murray.
Janikowski has added the PAT, so with 12:48 left in the first half, the Raiders now lead 14-7.
The Silver and Black's lead has ballooned, as Janikowski has connected on a 23-yard field goal to give the Raiders a 17-7 lead with 6:49 left in the second quarter.
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive Tackle Darius Latham has an ankle injury. His return is QUESTIONABLE.
We've reached the two-minute warning, and the Raiders are set to face a 3rd and 7 at their own 45-yard line when play resumes.
The Raiders had to punt the ball back to the Panthers, but All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack made sure that the Silver and Black would get points before halftime.
With less than a minute left in the half, Mack jumped up and speared Cam Newton's pass, returning it to the end zone for a touchdown.
After the converted PAT, the Raiders head into the locker room with a 24-7 lead over the Panthers, and will receive the ball to start the second half.
Third Quarter:
On just the second play from scrimmage, Carr fumbled the snap from Rodney Hudson, which was recovered by the Panthers at the Raiders 30-yard line.
The Panthers were able to take advantage of the gift, as Jonathan Stewart rumbled in from one yard out to give Carolina six points.
The PAT was blocked by Denico Autry, so with 10:33 left in the third quarter, the Raiders now lead 24-13.
Carr was injured on the fumble, so Matt McGloin is now under center for the Silver and Black.
The Panthers have pulled even closer to the Raiders, as Newton just connected on an 88-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr.
Carolina elected to go for two, but could not convert, so with 7:43 left in the third quarter, the Raiders now lead 24-19.
McGloin played just one series for the Raiders, as Carr has now returned to action.
However, during his first series back to work, Carr has thrown an interception to Thomas Davis that has been returned to the Raiders 28-yard line.
The Panther have now gone ahead for the first time today, as Stewart barreled into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown run.
Carolina once again went for two, and once again could not convert, so with 1:46 left in the game, the Panthers now lead 25-24.
We've reached the end of the third quarter, with the score still 25-24 in favor of the Panthers.
When play resumes, the Panthers will be facing a 2nd and eight from their own 36.
Fourth Quarter:
The Panthers have now seen their lead grow, as Newton has just connected with Kelvin Benjamin on a 44-yard touchdown pass.
The PAT was good, so with 13:26 left in regulation, Carolina now leads 32-24.
And just like that, the Raiders have tied the ballgame.
Carr and the Raiders answered in a big way, as No. 4 orchestrated an impressive 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, punctuated by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Clive Walford.
Head Coach Jack Del Rio elected to go for two, and his gamble paid off, as Carr found Seth Roberts in the back of the end zone to tie the game.
With 8:37 left in the fourth quarter, we're now all tied up at 32-32.
INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback DJ Hayden has a hamstring injury. He is OUT.
The Panthers have punted the ball back to the Raiders, so with 5:05 left in regulation, Carr and the offense will begin the drive at their own 13-yard line.
Thanks to a pair of outstanding catches from wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the Oakland Raiders are knocking on the door of the end zone with two minutes left.
When play resumes, Carr and the offense will face a 1st and goal from the six-yard line.
The Raiders weren't able to find the end zone, but a 23-yard field goal by Janikowski has once again given the Silver and Black the lead at 35-32 with 1:45 left in regulation.
The Panthers made a late bid to tie the game, but a strip sack by Khalil Mack effectively ended the Panthers attempted comeback.
Carr took a knee, and the Raiders have won 35-32.
