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Final Score
Oakland Raiders: 10-0-3-22 — 35
New Orleans Saints: 3-14-7-10 — 34
Full Box Score
The Oakland Raiders topped the New Orleans Saints, 35-34 in Week 1.
After trailing by 11 in the final quarter of play, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr led the team’s fourth touchdown drive of the day, an 11-play, 75-yard drive. He managed bring the Raiders within one point with just 52 seconds left on the clock.
The Raiders’ win at the Superdome on Sunday came after a successful two-point conversion.
“I was thinking that we’re here to win; let’s win it right now,” said Raiders coach Jack Del Rio following the game.
Carr had an impressive game for the Raiders completing 24 of 38 passes for 319 yards with one touchdown. Jalen Richard led the Raiders in rushing with 84 yards on three carries, while Amari Cooper led in receiving with six catches for 137 yards.
Despite the final outcome, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a strong game as well. The veteran finished with 424 passing yards and four touchdowns. It marked the fourteenth time that Brees topped the 400-yard passing mark, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
Sebastian Janikowski Made a 47-Yard Field Goal to Put Oakland on the Board
Saints defense forced a 3-and-out and the Raiders had to settle for a field goal. Janikowski drilled a 47-yard field goal with 12:28 left in the first quarter.
Saints’ Wil Lutz Made a 42-Yard Field Goal
Wil Lutz made his first field goal attempt from 42 to cap a 13 play, 65-yard drive and even the game at 3. New Orleans has outgained Oakland 74-2.
Oakland’s Latavius Murray Powered Through the End Zone for a 6-Yard Touchdown
Latavius Murray punched in a 6-yard touchdown to give the Raiders their first touchdown of the NFL season with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
Derek Carr is off to a solid start. He has completed 6 of 6 attempts for 82 yards after two drives. 73 of those have been to Amari Cooper.
Willie Snead Caught a 1-Yard Pass From Drew Brees for a Saints TD
Wide reciever Willie Snead tied the game 10-10 with a 1-yard TD catch with 11:57 left in the second quarter. Snead has five catches for 84 yards.
Drew Brees Found Brandin Cooks For a 15-Yard Touchdown
Drew Brees hit Brandin Cooks with a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the Saints a 17-10 lead over Raiders. Brees has completed 9 of his last 10 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Brees Connected With Cooks For a 98-Yard Touchdown
Brees found Brandin Cooks who took off for an incredible 98-yard touchdown, which is the longest receiving TD in the NFL since 2011, and the longest pass in Saints history. The touchdown increased the Saints lead to 24-10 with 8:03 left in the third quarter.
Sebastian Janikowski Made a 31-Yard Field Goal
Raiders QB Derek Carr led a 12 plays, 62-yard drive, but they were forced to settle for a field goal. Janikowski nailed the 31-yarder to cut the Saints lead to 24-13 with 3:16 left in the third.
Raiders’ Jamize Olawale Punched in a 2-Yard Touchdown Run
Olawale ran in a 2-yard TD for the Raiders. Oakland failed on the 2-point attempt. With 11:53 left in the in the game, Saints lead 24-19 with 11:53 left in the game.
Saints Wil Lutz Made a 20-Yard Field Goal
New Orleans capped a 6 play, 69-yard drive with a 20-yard field goal by Lutz to increase their lead to 27-19.
Raiders Tied the Game With a 75-Yard Rush By Jalen Richard
.@Raiders RB Jalen Richard.
75 yards.
TO. THE. HOUSE.
On his first career rush attempt, Jalen Richard made an explosive 75-yard touchdown. Derek Carr found Amari Cooper for the two-point conversion to tie the game 27-27 with 8:26 left in the fourth.
Brees threw his 4th Touchdown Strike of the Game on a 2-Yard Score to Travaris Cadet
#Saints Travaris Cadet runs in a touchdown #NOvsOAK 34-27 #SaintsGameDay @theadvocateno
Drew Brees hit Willie Snead for 57 yards then, Snead fumbled and WR Michael Thomas picked it up for 10 more yards. On the next play, Saints retook the lead with 6:03 left when Drew Brees connected with Travaris Cadet for a 2-yard touchdown to make the score 34-27.
Derek Carr Connected With Seth Roberts for a 10-Yard Touchdown
.@Raiders score a TD.
Go for 2… and the LEAD.
@DerekCarrQB + @KingCrab15. GOT IT! #RaiderNation #OAKvsNO t.co/nXiCHPoEEH
The Raiders kept battling back against the Saints. Derek Carr made a 10-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts that brought them one point behind the Saints with 0:47 left in the game. Carr found Michael Crabtree to complete a successful two-point conversion to win the game 35-34.
Saints rookie kicker Wil Lutz missed a 61-yard field-goal attempt on the final play.
Game Preview
New Orleans boasts one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Drew Brees, however their defense struggled in 2015. Despite a tough season, Brees nearly hit the 5,000-yard mark, and passed for more than 30 touchdowns.
The defense is still a work in progress, but features 27-year-old defensive end Cameron Jordan, who will be a key player in 2016. The sixth-year pro has 39 sacks, and 151 tackles in five seasons.
Derek Carr leads the Raiders offense at quarterback. The third-year NFL player had 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2015. He’ll be supported by second-year wide receiver Amari Cooper.
The Raiders expect their secondary to be strong with the addition of Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson.
The Saints lead the overall series 6-5-1. For games in New Orleans, the Saints hold a 3-2-1 advantage.