Raiders Fight Back To Beat Jags 26-23 in OT
By Luke Sims
The Jaguars couldn’t overcome the losses of starting running back Maurice Jones-Drew and starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert in a tough game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Gabbert and Jones-Drew both left in the first half with injuries. Gabbert injured his left shoulder and led a couple drives before leaving the game. Jones-Drew left the game after only having two carries for six yards.
While the story is the loss of Jones-Drew and Gabbert in the game, the real problem for the Jaguars was the inability to move the ball without their quarterback. Despite being ridiculed throughout his career, Gabbert led the Jags to an 11 point lead and two touchdowns before exiting the game. He was 8/12 for 110 yards and a touchdown on the day.
The Jaguars led by 14 points early in the second half but could not generate enough offense to keep the Raiders at bay. Carson Palmer had a big day 298 yards while completing 26 of his 46 pass attempts. Palmer had one touchdown and one interception on the day. The Raiders needed every bit of production they could get from Palmer and their speedy receivers since Darren McFadden was limited to 2.8 yards per carry. McFadden contributed only 53 yards on 19 carries.
The Jaguars defense finally looked alive during the game. The unit came up with one interception and two sacks. The two sacks are the most they have had in one game the entire season. The Raiders defense struggled early but outplayed the Jaguars after Gabbert and MJD left. They had three sacks and a fumble forced on the day.
A late pass interference call on cornerback Aaron Ross gave the Raiders the opportunity for Palmer to rush into the endzone for the tying score with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars defense finally crumbled and the Raiders managed to win in overtime after the Jags failed to move the ball on offense. Sebastian Janikowski’s overtime field goal put it to bed and redeemed him after he missed a 64 yarder with seconds left in the game before overtime.
– Luke N. Sims