On Sunday afternoon, the Raiders got off to a quick start with a 5-play, 76-yard opening drive, which culminated in a 2-yard run from RB Darren McFadden, that got the team up 7-0 in their home opener at O.co coliseum in Oakland.
The Jets looked to strike back immediately, but were unable to get anything done in their first drive and had to punt the ball.
Oakland was unable to go 2 for 2 and had to punt the ball, but this time, the Jets were able to capitalize after starting on their own 20. With 6:37 left in the first quarter, QB Mark Sanchez found an opening at the goal line and rushed it in, followed by the extra point to tie up the game.
In the second quarter, Sanchez hit RB LaDainian Tomlinson for an 18-yard pass, giving New York the 14-7 after the extra point.
While the Raiders were able to drive the ball down the field, Janikowski missed a 56-yard field goal attempt, setting up a Jets drive that ended with their own field goal and a 17-7 lead with a little over 5 minutes left in the half.
Oakland however would come back strong after starting the ensuing kickoff at their 15-yard line. Moments later, McFadden exploded for a huge 70-yard TD run and with the extra point, Oakland had inched closer to the Jets, only trailing 17-14.
Before the end of the half, Janikowski got another opportunity, this time from 54 yards out and nailed the game tying FG.
During the 3rd quarter, the Raiders took the lead after WR Denarius Moore ran 23 yards for a touchdown after the team called a reverse play. With under a minute to go in the 3rd, Oakland led 24-17.
This is where the complexion of the game would change.
After taking the lead, Janikowski’s kickoff was dropped by the Jets and recovered by the Raiders at New York’s 13-yard line. Moments later, RB Michael Bush found his way into the end zone and the extra point gave the Raiders a commanding 31-17 lead.
The Jets managed to cut the lead late in the 4th quarter after WR Plaxico Burress caught a 17-yard pass to tighten up the game at 31-24. With 2:32 left to play in the game, Janikowski nailed another deep field goal (49 yards) to take the 34-24 lead.
While the Jets drove down the field and managed to get themselves to the Raiders 2-yard line, Oakland’s goal line defense was on point and kept New York out of the end zone, taking over the ball after a failed 4th down attempt.
The win puts the Raiders at 2-1 for the season with the New England Patriots set to invade Oakland next week. The Jets suffered the first loss of the season, putting them at 2-1.
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