The Detroit Lions defeated the Oakland Raiders 28-27 in 2011 Regular Season Week 15 action at O.co Coliseum in Oakland.
WR Stefan Logan fielded K Sebastian Janikowski's opening kickoff in the end zone and took a knee for a touchback and the Lions started at their own 20. After allowing one first down, the Raiders defense forced P Ben Graham punt. CB Bryan McCann returned the 44-yard punt 17 yards to the Raiders 31.
The Raiders drove to the Lions and QB Carson Palmer overthrew WR Denarius Moore on 4th and 1. The Lions took over on downs. After allowing a first down, the Raiders forced a punt thanks to a batted pass on 3rd and 6. Graham's 37-yard punt was downed at the Oakland 24.
A 56-yard run by FB Marcel Reece put the Raiders at the Lions 20. The Lions challenged the ruling on the field contending that Reece stepped out of bounds. The review ruled in favor of the Lions and the ball was placed at midfield – call it a 26-yard run for Reece. WR Louis Murphy took a reverse handoff and scored on a 12-yard run. Janikowski's extra point gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 6:19 left in the first quarter.
Logan fielded the ensuing kickoff 9 yards deep in the end zone and took a knee for a touchback and the Lions started at their own 20. The Lions answered with a 51-yard TD pass from QB Matthew Stafford to WR Calvin Johnson. The game was tied at 7-7 with 3:34 left in the first quarter.
McCann returned the ensuing kickoff 13 yards to the Oakland 12. The Raiders managed one first down before the Lions forced a P Shane Lechler punt. Logan returned the 56-yard punt 5 yards to the Lions 18.
The Lions next drive short-circuited when LB Rolando McClain sacked Stafford on 2nd down forcing a 3rd and long the visitors couldn't convert. Graham's 53-yard punt was downed at the Raiders 6. The Raiders reclaimed the lead when Palmer hit WR Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 43-yard catch and run for a touchdown. Janikowski's extra point gave the Raiders a 14-7 lead with 9:07 left in the second quarter.
Janikowski's ensuing kickoff bounced through the end zone for a touchback and the Lions started at their 20. After allowing one first down, the Raiders defense forced a punt. Graham's punt was downed at the Oakland 27. The Lions held the Raiders to a three and out and Lechler came on to punt. Logan returned the 53-yard punt 14 yards to the Lions 31.
McCann returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 21. Several plays later, Janikowski's 46-yard FG was good and the Raiders led 17-14 at halftime.
A penalty wiped out SS Tyvon Branch's electrifying kickoff return to start the 3rd quarter and the Raiders started at their own 5. The Raiders drive stalled at their own 48 and Lechler came on to punt. Logan made a fair catch at the Detroit 12. The Lions drive stalled at the Oakland 48. Graham's punt was downed inside the Raiders at the 8. The Raiders picked up one first down before the Lions forced a punt. Logan returned the punt to the Lions 40. The Raiders stuffed the Lions on 4th and inches at the Oakland 39 and took over on downs.
Heyward-Bey the ball back to Detroit on a long catch and run and the Lions took over at their own 8. The Lions drive fizzled at the Detroit 22. The Raiders took over at their own 34 after the punt and a short return. K Sebastian Janikowski's 51-yard FG was good and the Raiders took a 20-14 lead with 8:12 left in the 4th quarter.
Rookie TE Richard Gordon dropped Logan at the 15 on the kickoff return. DT Tommy Kelly sacked Stafford and forced a fumble, LB Aaron Curry scooped and scored and the Raiders led 27-14 with 7:47 left 4th quarter.
Logan returned the ensuing kickoff to the Detroit 29. Stafford hit WR Titus Young and a 3-yard TD pass. Hanson's extra point cut the Raiders lead to 27-21 with 4:59 left to play.
Stafford drove the Lions 98 yards and capped the drive with a 6-yard TD pass. The extra point gave the Lions a 28-27 lead with 39 seconds left. Janikowski's 65-yard field goal attempt as time expired was blocked and the Raiders lost 28-27.
The Raiders fall to 7-7 and head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.
