Darren McFadden and Carson Palmer looked like a tandem that can hide the team’s other deficiencies, and Oakland’s offense carried the defense to victory. The Raiders had trouble stopping the pass and keeping the Steelers out of the end zone, but they also forced four fumbles and recovered two of them to give the offense additional chances.
After Oakland’s first drive ended in an interception and the Steelers quickly drove down the field and scored, McFadden’s 64-yard touchdown run in the first quarter could have been the pivotal moment in the game. McFadden finished with 113 yards on 18 carries.
The Raiders had to overcome a scary scene early in the fourth quarter when a helmet-to-helmet hit on wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey left him motionless on the field. Heyward-Bey gave the thumbs up as medical personnel took him off the field on a stretcher with his head and neck immobilized. Heyward-Bey reportedly has a concussion and will be kept at the hospital overnight for observation (via ibabuzz.com). The Raiders would score 13 unanswered points after Heyward-Bey left the game.
Not only did the Raiders get the running game going, but they also used the passing game to convert several key third downs and punch the ball into the end zone.
Overall, the Raiders converted 58 percent of third downs with the biggest conversions coming late in the game. Palmer had three touchdown passes and completed passes to nine different receivers. His lone interception came on the first drive when Denarius Moore slipped on the infield dirt.
The Raiders still have glaring weaknesses, despite...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
