Amari Cooper and the Raiders are on Sunday Night Football. (Getty)
Final Score
Arizona Cardinals 0-3-7-20 — 30
Oakland Raiders 6-9-0-8 — 23
Box Score
What started off as a slow game full of field goals ended as a back-and-forth contest on the brink of overtime. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Oakland Raiders 30-23. The Raiders scored a touchdown and had a two-point conversion to tie the game with just over two minutes remaining.
However, the Cardinals drove the ball back down the field thanks in large part due to reserve tight end Ifeanyi Momah’s great performance. Momah had the highlight of the night when he broke through two Raiders defenders as he did his best Marshawn Lynch impression after a catch. The big gain put the Cardinals into Raiders territory. A few plays later, Marion Grice had a short touchdown run with about thirty seconds remaining in the game.
Cardinals Quarterback Carson Palmer had a rough night. He finished the game 8-of-22 passes for 103 yards and two interceptions. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was 18-of-34 for 213 yards and one interception. Rookie receiver Amari Cooper had another impressive performance and finished the night with 4 receptions for 62 yards.
Here are all the key highlights, stats and stories from the game:
Raiders Starting Right Tackle Menelik Watson Is Out for the Season
Ruptured Achilles’ tendon… I Will be back stronger than ever that’s a promise. Main thing is supporting the team right now. #RaiderNation
Unfortunately, for the Raiders they lost their starting right tackle for the season. Menelik Watson tweeted the above message out letting everyone know he had a ruptured Achilles’ tendon. Definitely a tough break for the Raiders and Watson.
Carson Palmer Was Intercepted On the Opening Drive of the Game
Catch + Control = INT, @RAIDERS #AZvsOAK http://t.co/MVh4lZiofr
The play was originally called an incomplete pass. Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio challenged the ruling on the field and it was overturned. Nate Allen came up with the interception.
This was the first of many big plays for the Raiders defense. The Raiders starting defense was all over Carson Palmer. If they are able to continue this level of play during the regular season, the Raiders will be much improved.
Both Offenses Struggled Early in the Game
John Brown has had a few nice catches. (Getty)
With the exception of a few plays, neither offense was able to gain much momentum in the first quarter. There were four punts and two field goals in the quarter. Things did not really pick up for either offense until the reserves were in during the fourth quarter.
Amari Cooper Looked Excellent and Well Worth a High Draft Pick
The Raiders mixed in a hurry-up offense throughout the first half. Late in the second quarter, Derek Carr threw it to Amari Cooper on back to back plays including this big gain above. Cooper finished the game with 4 receptions for 62 yards.
The Raiders Intercepted Carson Palmer Twice
INTERCEPTION! Nate Allen with his second of the game! #Raaaaaiddddderrss
Carson Palmer overthrew his receiver again for his second interception of the night. The Raiders defense was on fire and the Cardinals offensive line was unable to stay in front of the defense. They held the Cardinals to 96 total yards, forced three sacks and two interceptions with two minutes to go in the second quarter.
Both Teams Combined for Six Field Goals in the First Half
.@TheCatMan39 nails the 53-YD FG to put the @AZCardinals within 3! #SNF #AZvsOAK http://t.co/5LTxGQCoXQ
The Cardinals offense struggled mightily as the Raiders defense was swarming on every play, particularly linebacker Khalil Mack. The Raiders offense looked good in spurts but was not able to finish the job in the redzone. Derek Carr was 13-of-26 for 160 yards in the first half.
Derek Carr Threw a Pick-6
Derek Carr had an awful interception early in the third quarter. Carr scrambled to his left to avoid immediate pressure. Instead of throwing the ball away, he threw it side-armed directly to the Cardinals’ Cariel Brooks. Head Coach Jack Del Rio decided to keep Carr in the game for the start of the third quarter, but backup Christian Ponder came into the game on the next series.
David Johnson Caught a Short Touchdown Pass
Drew Stanton to David Johnson for an 8-yard TD. Johnson is such a weapon in the passing game. #AZCardinals lead 16-15 pending 2-ptr.
David Johnson caught the first offensive touchdown for either team. Johnson is a rookie running back for the Cardinals and provides the team with with a nice change of pace to compliment Andre Ellington.
Another Cardinals Running Back Scored a Receiving Touchdown
TOUCHDOWN #AZCardinals! Sims hits @kerwinning_ from 10 yards!
Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams scored a receiving touchdown. Up until this point, the Cardinals had scored a defensive touchdown as well as two receiving touchdowns from two different running backs. It may not be the most orthodox way but it seemed to be working.
The Raiders Scored a Touchdown and a 2-Point Conversation to Tie the Game
TOOUCHHDOWNNNNN, RAAAAAAIDDDDERRRRRS!
With two minutes remaining, the Raiders scored their first touchdown of the game with a little over two minutes remaining. They also converted a 2-point conversion to tie the game. Kris Durham caught the touchdown pass for Oakland.
Ifeanyi Momah Helped the Cardinals Score a Game Winning Touchdown
Great play Ifeanyi Momah for the @AZCardinals. #OAKvsAZ #NFLPreseason http://t.co/ViKR8etLZc
In the box score, Marion Grice is credited with the touchdown. However, without reserve tight end Ifeanyi Momah the game likely would have ended up in overtime. Momah had two key catches on the final drive, including one where he broke through two defenders to head into Raiders territory. Grice went on to score the short rushing touchdown
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