RB Michael Bush rushed 24 times for 69 yards and a critical 4th quarter touchdown. AP Photo.
Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski set a team record with six field goals, P Shane Lechler set a team record with an 80-yard punt and QB Carson Palmer threw for 301 yards as the Raiders defeated the Chicago Bears 25-20 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland.
The Bears won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. K Sebastian Janikowski's opening kickoff was returned by Johnny Knox to the Chicago 35, a penalty on the Bears backed them up to their 18. The Raiders forced a three and out and P Adam Podlesh came on to punt. CB Bryan McCann called for and made a fair catch of a 47-yard punt at the Oakland 29.
The Raiders drive stalled at the Chicago 22. Janikowski's 40-yard field goal capped a 6-play, 49-yard drive and gave the Raiders a 3-0 lead with 11:11 left in the first quarter.
Knox returned the ensuing kickoff to the Chicago 23. Knox was unable to haul in a third down pass and Podlesh came on to punt. McCann returned the punt to the Raiders 25. The Bears returned the favor with a three and out of their own and P Shane Lechler's punt was returned by WR Devin Hester. A penalty on the return backed Chicago up to their 16.
The Raiders got the ball back when CB Stanford Routt intercepted a QB Caleb Hanie pass at the Bears 31. The Bears forced the Raiders to settle for a 48-yard field goal attempt. Janikowski's kick was good and the Raiders led 6-0 with 4:20 left in the 1st quarter.
Hester returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bears 18. The Bears next drive ended with a FS Michael Huff interception, and the Raiders took over at their own 43 after a 24-yard return. The Raiders were unable to capitalize and Lechler came on to punt. Lechler's 44-yard punt bounced out of bounds at the Bears 3.
The Raiders held the Bears to a three and out and Podlesh came on to punt. WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh called for and made a fair catch at midfield. The Raiders drive ended when Chicago intercepted a tipped pass at their own 26.
Chicago took a 7-6 lead with 4:41 left in the 2nd quarter when Hanie hit Knox for a 29-yard TD pass and K Robbie Gould knocked through the extra point.
Gould's kickoff flew through the back of the end zone for a touchback. Janikowski capped a 56-yard, 5-play drive with a 42-yard drive and gave the Raiders a 9-7 lead with 2:56 left in the 2nd quarter.
Knox returned Janikowski's squib kick 60 yards to the Raiders 31. DE/LB Kamerion Wimbley picked off pass that was tipped by LB Aaron Curry and raced 74 yards to the Bears 13 and a horse collar tackle penalty gave the Raiders 1st and goal at the 6. The Raiders settled for a 19-yard Janikowski field goal; and took at 12-7 lead with 2 seconds left in the 2nd quarter.
Janikowski's 5th FG of the day, this one from 37 yards out, capped a 10-play, 61-yard drive and gave the Raiders a 15-7 lead with 11:08 left in the 3rd quarter.
The ensuing kickoff flew out of the end zone for a touchback and the Bears started at their own 20. The Raiders allowed one first down before relentless pressure on Hanie derailed the drive and forced a punt. Podlesh's punt was downed at the Raiders 34. The Bears held the Raiders to a three and out and Lechler came on to punt. Hester returned the 54-yard punt 7 yards to the Chicago 17.
The Raiders forced a three and out by dominating the line of scrimmage. Podlesh's punt was downed at the Raiders 38. Janikowski's team record 6th FG of the day (44-yarder) gave the Raiders an 18-7 lead with 22 second left in the 3rd quarter.
Knox returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards to the Chicago 18. Gould cut the Raiders lead to 18-10 with 10:51 left in the 4th quarter with a 50-yard field goal.
McCann fielded the ensuing kickoff in the end zone and took a knee for a touchback. The Raiders went three and out after an apparent 15-yard catch by WR Darrius Heyward-Bey was overturned by a coach's challenge. Lechler came on and a blasted a team-record 80-yard punt that flew over Hester's head and bounced into the end zone for a touchback.
Gould's 53-yard field goal cut the Raiders lead to 18-13 with 7:17 left in the 4th quarter.
McCann returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 26. RB Michael Bush capped the drive with a 2-yard TD run. The PAT was good and the Raiders led 25-13. The Bears countered with a 9-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Davis and cut the Raiders lead to 25-20 with 2:11 left to play.
Raiders TE David Ausberry recovered the onside kick with 2:07 to go. The Bears held the Raiders to a three and out and Lechler came on to punt. Lechler's punt rolled out of bounds at the 4-yard line. Chicago took over with 1:01 left to play and no time outs remaining.
The Raiders held on for the 25-20 victory and improve to 7-4 on the season and will head to Miami next week to face the Dolphins.
