NFL Football – Week 2
Oakland Raiders, 27 – Detroit Lions 26
FIRST QUARTER
Detroit got on the board at 9:52 with a 28-yard Matthew Stafford pass to Golden Tate for the touchdown. Kicker Nate Freese missed his extra point attempt (which would prove crucial later); score 6-0. The Lions again found the end zone by means of a Matthew Stafford to Kris Durham pass with 2:01 left. Freese’s second attempt cleared the uprights; score 13-0.
SECOND QUARTER
The formerly silent Oakland offense found their footing at 8:09 with a Darren McFadden rush for a touchdown followed by Sebastian Janikowski’s extra point; score 13-7. A Janikowski field goal at 3:04 brought the game to within three; score 13-10. But the Lions fought back against a stiffened Oakland defense to position kicker Nate Freese for an impressive 55 yard attempt/success which pushed the margin to 16-10 with 0:08 left.
THIRD QUARTER
The second half began much as the first with the Lion’s George Winn rushing for the touchdown at 10:14 but this time with kicker Giorgio Tavecchio making the extra point; score 23-10. Oakland answered with their own score at 2:32 via a Derek Carr to Jake Murphy pass and Sebastian Janikowski point after to keep the game within reach; score 23-17.
FOURTH QUARTER
The momentum from the third quarter carried over with a 35 yard Janikowski field goal at 14:06. It was now a three point game; score 23-20. Oakland’s defense rallied to hold the Lions to a field goal with 7:34 left on the clock; score 26-20.
With 5:35 left it was time for a change. Quarterback Matt McGloin replaced Derek Carr and promptly threw a pass for 29 which pushed the silver and black into Lion’s territory…but the drive stalled at the Detroit 26 with a fumble. Detroit’s next possession was a four and out.
Beginning at the Oakland 19 and with just 2:32 remaining, Matt McGloin marched the Raiders to the Detroit 37 with a series of passes to Greg Little, Brice Butler, Andre Holmes and Jeremy Stewart. Detroit came out on the short end of penalties committed during the following two plays. The results moved the ball to the Lion’s 19-yard line with 21 seconds remaining and gave the Raiders a first down.
After two incompletes, McGloin connected on 3rd down with Brice Butler for the TD. Janokowski added the go-ahead extra point to push Oakland into the lead for the first time in the game…and leaving a scant 6 seconds on the clock. Detroits’s kick-off return/dash for glory was stopped after a 24-yard return (thanks to the Raider’s special teams) leaving Oakland with a win for Week 2.