WR Denarius More hauls in an 18-yard TD pass from QB Matt Flynn to cut the Saints lead to 23-7 at the end of the first half. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
QB Matt Flynn completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 124 yards and a score, DE Ryan Robinson recovered a fumble for a touchdown and Ks Sebastian Janikowski and Eddy Carmona were perfect on their field goal attempts but it wasn't enough as the Raiders fell to the New Orleans Saints 28-20.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. P Thomas Morstead's opening kickoff flew out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. The Raiders started at their own 20 with Matt Flynn at quarterback. The Raiders drive stalled at the Saints 44 when New Orleans stopped RB Darren McFadden on 4th and 1. The Saints took over with Drew Brees at quarterback.
The Raiders allowed two first downs before forcing a 53-yard K Garrett Hartley field goal attempt. The kick was good and the Saints took a 3-0 lead with 9:48 left in the 1st quarter.
The ensuing kickoff went for a touchback and the Raiders started at their own 20. The Saints forced a three-and-out and P Chris Kluwe came on to punt. Kluwe's 57-yard punt was returned 21 yards by RB Travaris Cadet to the New Orleans 42.
Three plays later RB Mark Ingram cashed in on a 2-yard TD run to cap a 58-yard drive. The extra point was good and the home team led 10-0 with 7:26 left in the first quarter.
WR/KR Josh Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 21 yards to the Oakland 18. The Raiders went three-and-out as the Saints sacked Flynn twice. P Marquette King came on to punt. During the return of a 56-yard punt, a block in the back on the Saints backed them up to their 22.
Brees capped the drive with a 16-yard TD pass to WR Kenny Stills and the Saints took a 17-0 lead with 14 seconds left in the first quarter. Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff to the 16.
The Raiders drive was derailed by penalties and Kluwe came on to punt. A 31-yard Hartley field goal gave the Saints a 20-0 lead with 10:19 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff to the Oakland 20. The Raiders went three and out again and King came on to punt. The 55-yard punt was returned to the Saints 33. The Raiders stiffened and forced a field goal attempt. Hartley's 30-yard attempt was good and the Saints led 23-0 with 3:03 left in the 2nd quarter.
Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff to the 18. Flynn capped an 1—play, 82-yard drive with an 18-yard TD pass to WR Denarius Moore. The extra point was good and the Saints led 23-7 with 31 seconds left in the 2nd quarter.
After a touchback, Seneca Wallace entered the game at quarterback and took a knee to run out the clock and end the half.
The Raiders forced a three and out and took over at the 21 after a fair catch. The Saints forced a punt as well as they contained QB Terrelle Pryor. The Raiders recovered a fumble but were unable to capitalize. DE David Bass hammered Wallace forcing the ball out and DE Ryan Robinson scooped and scored. K Eddy Carmona added the extra point and the Saints lead was cut to 23-14 with 3:49 left in the 3rd quarter.
DT Kurt Taufa'asau batted a Wallace pass in the air and LB Omar Gaither come up with the diving interception and the Raiders took over at the Saints 21. Carmona capped the drive with a 46-yard field goal to cut the Saints led to 23-17. After a New Orleans punt, Janikowski drilled a 50-yard field goal to cut the Saints lead to 23-20 with 12:29 left in the game.
The Saints drove to the Raiders 1 but were turned away on 4th and goal and the Raiders took over with 8:02 to play.
FB Jamize Olawale was caught in the end zone for a safety and took a 25-20 lead with 7:20 left in the game.
Hartley increased the Saints lead to 28-20 with a 28-yard field goal with 2:53 left to play.
WR Greg Jenkins returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards to the 19. The Raiders were unable to convert on 4th and 18 when McGloin's pass was intercepted. The Saints ran out the clock and secured the victory.
The Raiders fall to 1-1 on the preseason and return home to face the Chicago Bears in 2013 Preseason Week 3 action at O.co Coliseum.
