WR Kenbrell Thompkins runs after the catch. Photo by Tony Gonzales
The Raiders fall to 0-7 on the season with today's 23-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns (4-3). Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano is now 0-3 in his current position and 29-35 (.453) in the regular season as a head coach.
The loss brings the all-time series between the Raiders and Browns to 11-10 in Oakland's favor. The Raiders are now 4-3 in Cleveland, with the team's last win against the Browns coming at home on Oct. 16, 2011, 24-17.
The loss snaps the Raiders' seven-game winning streak in late-afternoon games in the Eastern time zone, which began back in 1984. The Raiders last lost a late game in the East on Dec. 12, 1978 at Miami, and are now 9-3 all-time in such games.
The Raiders scored twice in the final two minutes of a half, on a 38-yard FG by K Sebastian Janikowski to end the first half and a 10-yard TD pass from QB Derek Carr to WR Andre Holmes at the end of the second half. That gives the Raiders six scores with less than two minutes remaining in a half this season; two were to close the first half and four were at the end of games.
This marks the second straight game the Raiders had two scores within the final two minutes of either half. Oakland scored a TD and then a FG with less than two minutes to go in the first half vs. Arizona on Oct. 19, 2014.
Carr led the Raiders on a 17-play, 80-yard TD drive (2:19) at the end of the game, capping it off with a 10-yard TD pass to WR Andre Holmes. That ties the Raiders' longest TD drive in the fourth quarter since a 17-play campaign at San Diego on Oct. 14, 2007.
The Raiders' offense tied a franchise record (has happened five times) with three fourth-down conversions on four attempts (75.0 percent). The last time the Raiders had three conversions in a game was on Sept, 8, 2008 vs. Denver.
The Raiders' defense held Cleveland to just 39 yards rushing in the game. Today's game marks the fourth time over the past two seasons the Raiders have allowed 38-or-less yards rushing.
The defense delivered its strongest performance of the season on third downs, allowing Cleveland to convert on only 2-of-12 attempts (16.7 percent). That ties Oakland's fourth fewest conversions allowed since 1991 and marks the fewest third-down conversions given up since the Raiders allowed two on Nov. 17, 2013 at Houston (2-for-16).
The defense also held strong within the red zone, holding the Browns to just two TDs on four trips inside the Raiders' 20-yard line.
The Raiders forced consecutive three-and-outs for the first time this season, opening the second half with two quick defensive stops. Cleveland punted three straight times to open the second half and booted seven punts altogether, a season high forced by the Raiders.
Individual Notes: Offense
QB Derek Carr became the most prolific rookie passer in Raiders history today, overtaking Matt McGloin (2013) for the franchise lead in starts (seven), completions (152) and passing TDs (nine) by a rookie quarterback. Carr finished 34-of-54 passing (63.0 percent) for 328 yards and one TD.
Carr's 300-yard passing performance is the first ever by a Raider rookie. Carr is now the 22nd different Raider quarterback to throw for 300 yards in a game and the first since Carson Palmer did it vs. Cleveland on Dec. 2, 2012.
Carr's 34 completions are the third most by a rookie in NFL history. Chris Weinke had 36 completions on Dec. 30, 2001 for the Carolina Panthers and Dieter Brock had 35 on Oct. 27, 1985 for the Los Angeles Rams.
Carr's efficient day marks just the fourth time a Raider QB has finished game with a completion percentage above 63.0 percent when attempting at least 50 passes.
Carr set new career highs today in attempts (54), completions (34) and passing yards (328).
Carr also attempted two rushes in the game, one a fourth-down keeper for a first down. With the rush, Carr passes McGloin (11) for the franchise record for rushing attempts by a rookie quarterback. Carr is already the franchise leader in rushing yards by a rookie passer with 67.
WR Andre Holmes scored his fourth TD of the season and fifth of his career on a 10-yard pass from Carr with just seven seconds remaining in the game.
RB Darren McFadden led the team in rushing with 12 carries for 59 yards (4.9 avg.) in the contest. With his ninth attempt, in the third quarter, McFadden passed Pete Banaszak (964) for the fifth most rushing attempts in franchise history.
McFadden attempted the third pass of his career, an incompletion, out of the Wildcat formation in the first quarter. It marked McFadden's first pass attempt since Sept. 23, 2013, a 16-yard TD.
WR James Jones contributed 62 yards on six catches (10.3 avg.), giving him 36 receptions for the season. Jones is now the first Raider since LaMont Jordan (2005) and the ninth different Raider ever to average at least five catches per game through the first seven games of a season.
FB Marcel Reece eclipsed the 150-reception mark for his career in the fourth quarter, making him just the seventh Raider running back to reach that milestone. Reece finished with five catches for 34 yards (6.8 avg.), both season highs.
TE Mychal Rivera led the team in receiving and set new career bests with seven catches for 83 yards (11.9 avg.), passing Roland Williams (511 yards) and Mike Dyal (550) and moving into 15th place all-time among Raider tight ends in receiving yards (593).
WR Kenbrell Thompkins made his first reception as a Raider on the team's first drive, a 5-yard gain that was good for a first down. He finished with four receptions for 34 yards (8.5 avg.).
Thompkins also recorded the first rushing attempt of his career for a 7-yard gain.
Individual Notes: Defense
DE Justin Tuck recorded his second sack as a Raider on a third down in the fourth quarter, forcing a Browns punt. Tuck now has 62.5 career sacks, and his 61.5 sacks since 2007 are good for 11th in the NFL.
LBs Sio Moore and Miles Burris led the way on defense for the Raiders, each registering nine tackles.
S Brandian Ross recorded his fourth career pass defensed in the first quarter, his first since Nov. 17, 2013 at Houston.
Individual Notes: Special Teams
K Sebastian Janikowski connected on a 46-yard FG attempt late in the second quarter to give the Raiders their first point of the game. The conversion gives Janikowski 100 in his career from between 40- and 49-yards out; he is the 11th player in NFL history to reach that mark, tying David Akers and Nick Lowery for ninth all-time from that range.
Janikowski converted a 38-yard FG attempt to close the first half, the 105th of his career from between 30- and 39-yards out. That moves him ahead of Phil Dawson (104) for second place among active NFL kickers (Adam Vinateri leads with 142).
Janikowski finished 2-for-2 on FG attempts, tying him with Eddie Murray (352) for 15th place all-time in FGs made. He also passed Olindo Mare (439) in all-time FG attempts, putting him in 20th place with 440.
FB/RB Jamize Olawale punched the football loose of Travis Benjamin's grip on a third-quarter punt return, marking his first career forced fumble. Cleveland recovered the loose ball.
P Marquette King punted seven times in the contest for an average of 44.0 yards per punt, landing one inside the Browns' 20-yard line.
