The Raiders take on the 49ers on the Battle of the Bay today at 5 p.m. PT. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
PRESEASON OPENERS:After kicking off the 2011 preseason versus the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum in Oakland on August 11, the Raiders are now 14-10 in the first game of the preseason played at home. The Silver and Black are 27-24-1 overall in preseason openers in 52 seasons since originally entering pro football as a member of the American Football League in 1960.
SEABASS FOR FOUR:K Sebastian Janikowski was perfect on four field goal attempts in the preseason opener against Arizona. The 12-year veteran kicked field goals of 39, 25, 21 and 57 yards and his fourth quarter field goal gave the Raiders an 18-17 lead.
57 YARDS FOR THREE:Janikowski kicked a 57-yard field goal in the preseason opener against Arizona, booting a long effort from the infield dirt of O.co Coliseum to give the Raiders a fourth quarter lead. Janikowski last kicked a 57-yard field goal against the New York Jets on October 19, 2008, setting an NFL overtime record with the kick. Since that successful conversion in 2008, Janikowski set a franchise record with a 61-yard field goal at Cleveland in 2009 and also kicked a 59-yard field goal at home against the Indianapolis Colts on December 26, 2010.
EFFICIENT QBs:Raider quarterbacks were very efficient during the preseason opener against Arizona, combining to post a 93.3 quarterback rating. Starter Jason Campbell posted an 88.2 rating, completing six of nine pass attempts for 66 yards. Kyle Boller completed seven of eight pass attempts for 42 yards and an 88.6 rating, while Trent Edwards completed 10 of 19 passes with a touchdown for a 94.2 rating in his first appearance as a Raider.
DEFENSE STANDS TALL:The Raiders first team defense was effective in its brief appearance in the preseason opener against Arizona. The Silver and Black's defensive unit forced the Cardinals to punt on their first possession, limiting quarterback Kevin Kolb to one completion for no gain.
MOORE FOR MOORE:Rookie WR Denarius Moore continued his impressive training camp form in his first preseason game, tying for a game-high three receptions for 37 yards against the Cardinals. The fifth-round draft pick had consecutive catches to help set up a Raider field goal in the second quarter and added a 26-yard reception from QB Jason Campbell. Moore also contributed in return duty, fielding two punts for 16 yards and returning one kickoff for 18 yards. One of Moore's punt returns went for 56 yards but was brought back due to a penalty.* *
TD FOR TE:Rookie TE David Ausberry made an outstanding touchdown catch on a pass by QB Trent Edwards in the preseason opener against Arizona. The seventh-round draft pick got both feet down in the end zone on the 18-yard pass, giving the Raiders a third-quarter lead.
SACK FOR STERLING:Undrafted rookie free agent Sterling Moore got to the quarterback for a seven-yard sack in the preseason opener. The Oakland-native's sack helped stop an Arizona drive in Raider territory and pushed the Cardinals out of field goal range in the fourth quarter.* *
UNUSUAL COMPLETION:QB Trent Edwards found an unusual receiver on a third quarter play against Arizona. On first-and-10 from the Oakland 39-yard line, Edwards' pass was batted back towards the quarterback who made the reception and advanced the ball five yards. The completion was part of an 11-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in a 21-yard field goal.* *
TACKLES FOR ROOKIES:Raider rookies made their impact felt on defense and special teams in the preseason opener, as seven different first-year players recorded tackles. CB DeMarcus Van Dyke, S Zac Etheridge and LB Bani Gbadyu led all Raider rookies with two tackles apiece, while CB Sterling Moore, LB Chris Francis and DE Mason Brodine each contributed a stop. TE David Ausberry also totaled two tackles, with both stops coming on special teams duty.* *
HAGAN FOR 42:WR Derek Hagan hauled in a 42-yard pass from QB Trent Edwards in the third quarter of the preseason opener. The catch helped set up a Raider field goal and was the first catch in Silver and Black for the veteran receiver, who joined the team as a free agent just six days prior to the game.
