Oakland Raiders, 14 – New York Jets, 19
THE FIRST QUARTER
The first series by New York set the tone for the day. Quarterback Geno Smith took the Jets from their own 44 to the Raiders 27 using a mixture of passing and rushing and culminating in a 45-yard field goal by Nick Folk to make the score 3-0. Their offense was able to make plays and build drives while Oakland struggled on the day.
If there was a highlight for the silver and black this day it was veteran Charles Woodson’s interception of a Geno Smith pass which put Oakland in good field position at the NYJ 28. From there at least, the end zone seemed within reach. And so it was that Raider QB Derek Carr took six plays ending with a 12-yard pass to Rod Streater (and Sebastian Janikowski extra point) to push Oakland into the early lead, 7-3.
THE SECOND QUARTER
A stroke of luck occurred 3:44 into the second when Raider TJ Carrie recovered a Jet fumble at the Oakland 4 which held off another score. After trading drives, New York took possession at 4:31 and proceeded to execute an 80-yard textbook advance leading to a Geno Smith/Chris Johnson touchdown plus Nick Folk point after. Score 10-7 Jets.
THE THIRD QUARTER
A Jet 42-yard field goal broke the otherwise uneventful back and forth with 2:42 left to push the New York lead to 6; score 13-7.
THE FOURTH QUARTER
The Jets’ confidence in their ability to move the ball had, at least up until this point, led to long steady drives. So at 8:16 it came as a surprise when the Jets’ Chris Ivory was able to slip tackles and break for a 71-yard touchdown run to increase New York’s lead to 19-7. The subsequent two point conversion play to create a two touchdown margin failed. Score 19-7.
The next Oakland drive was a flurry of penalties, incomplete passes and a sack. After a four and out by the Jets, Oakland again made the dash for the end zone. This time, with 39 seconds remaining before the two minute warning, Raiders QB Carr connected with James Jones for the touchdown and Janikowski added the extra point. The 6 play, 73-yard drive left only 1:18 on the game clock.
In an echo of the Niners-Cowboys game, Oakland tried the onside kick – #fail – and New York took the required knees – #win. Final score 19-14.
