Marcel Reece had a career game against the Saints. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Oakland Raiders 38-17 in 2012 NFL Regular Season Week 11 action, presented by USAA.
The Raiders got the ball to start the game but were unable to score on their opening drive. The Saints marched 80 yards as QB Drew Brees connected with TE Jimmy Graham on a 1-yard TD pass. The extra point was good and the Saints took a 7-0 lead with 7:53 left in the first quarter. The Raiders went three-and-out on their second possession. The Saints started at their 26 after a P Shane Lechler punt and a fair catch.
The Raiders held the Saints to a three-and-out. The Saints were called for kick catch interference on the punt return. The Raiders started at the 48. A couple of plays later, S Malcolm Jenkins picked off a QB Carson Palmer pass and raced 55 yards for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Saints a 14-0 lead with 4:06 left in the 1st quarter.
The Saints killed the Raiders next drive with an interception in the end zone by S Roman Harper. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Saints, New Orleans started at the 10.
The Raiders forced a punt. The Silver and Black took over at the 19 after a 40-yard punt and a penalty on the Raiders. The Raiders cut the Saints lead to 14-7 when Palmer hit TE Brandon Myers for a 1-yard TD and K Sebastian Janikowski added the extra point.
The Saints started at the 10 after a penalty wiped out the return on the ensuing kickoff. New Orleans increased their lead to 21-7 when Bress connected with WR Lance Moore for a 38-yard TD pass.
The Raiders were unable to score inside of 2:00 left in the first half of a game for the first time this season and the Saints took a 21-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
RB Travaris Cadet returned the opening kickoff 75 yards and RB Mark Ingram ran it in from 27 yards for a touchdown, which gave the Saints a 28-7 lead. Ingram was called for taunting which was enforced on the kickoff.
Rookie RB Jeremy Stewart returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 34. K Sebastian Janikowski's 40-yard FG cut the Saints lead to 28-10 with 10:22 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders held the Saints to a 3-and-out and CB Phillip Adams called for and made a fair catch at the Raiders 26 after a 50-yard punt. The Saints returned the favor with a 3-and-out of their own and Lechler came on to punt. Lechler's punt went out of bounds at the Saints 42.
The Saints took advantage as Brees connected with Moore for a 15-yard TD pass. The extra point was good and the saints led 35-10 with 3:26 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders drove to the New Orleans 40 before the Saints stuffed Reece on 4th and 1 and took over on downs. The Saints settled for a 47-yard K Garrett Hartley field goal, which gave them a 38-10 lead with 10:28 left in the 4th quarter.
CB Coye Francies returned the ensuing kickoff to the 20. The Raiders drove to the Saints 44 before Palmer overthrew WR Denarius Moore on 4th and 5. The Saints took over on downs. The Raiders forced a Morstead punt which was downed at the 7. Palmer capped the 93-yard drive with a 3-yard TD pass to rookie WR Juron Criner (his 1st career TD catch). The extra point was good and the Saints led 38-17 with 4:00 to go.
Graham recovered Janikowski's onside kick attempt at the 50. Chase Daniel entered the game at quarterback. The Saints ran out the clock and secured the victory.
The Raiders fall to 3-7 on the season and travel to Cincinnati next week to take on the Bengals.
