GLENDALE, Ariz. – As soon as the fourth quarter began, the Oakland
Raiders picked up a first down with a Darren McFadden 7-yard run on 3rd
and 2. A few plays later though, Bruce Gradkowski fumbled during his
throwing motion and Marcel Reece bobbled the ball out of bounds for a
loss of 14-yards. Oakland punted after not converting on a 3rd and 28,
but they got a break when the football bounced off wide receiver Andre
Roberts and Quentin Groves recovered the fumble at Arizona’s 16-yard line.
Oakland then was the beneficiary of Cardinal penalties.
On 3rd and 10, Gradkowski tossed an incompletion to Zach Miller in the
end zone, but Michael Adams was flagged for holding against Louis
Murphy, extending the Raider drive. Then a few plays later, Greg Toler
drew a flag after interfering with Darrius Heyward-Bey in the end zone,
setting Oakland up at the 1-yard line.
The Raiders could not punch it in with Michael Bush, were flagged for
delay of game and back-to-back incompletions to Heyward-Bey led to a
Sebastian Janikowski field goal from 23-yards out to make it a 24-23
contest, in favor of the Cardinals.
Arizona began the ensuing drive with a false start by Lyle Sendlein with
7:50 remaining on the game clock.
Their drive took a nose-dive after Beanie Wells was flagged for a
facemask penalty on Tyvon Branch as he attempted a stiff-arm. Arizona
punted after not converting on a 3rd and 21 and Oakland took over at the
6:20 mark.
Gradkowski attempted to break the pocket on 1st and 10 and only gained
one yard. On 2nd and 9, he completed a 25-yard toss to Louis Murphy –
that was challenged by Ken Whisenhunt – and McFadden followed that with
a gain of 5.
McFadden ran for 4 more yards on 2nd and 5 and on 3rd and 1; Mario
Henderson was flagged for a false start.
Facing a 3rd and 6, Gradkowski’s pass to Zach Miller was broken up and
play was stopped with 4:36 remaining.
Sebastian Janikowski attempted a 58-yard field goal attempt, which had
the distance, but was wide right.
Arizona with great field position decided to start milking the clock
with Tim Hightower and Steve Breaston rushes that combined for 5-yards.
After Oakland called a time out with 3:44 left, facing a 3rd and 5,
Breaston dropped a pass tossed slightly behind him, giving Oakland
another possession after the punt.
With 3:33 remaining, Oakland began their drive at the 20-yard line.
Oakland faced a 3rd and 9, but converted with a Miller 15-yard
reception. McFadden ran for 1-yard before the 2-minute warning.
Gradkowski was pressured into bad throws and on 4th and 10, he found
Heyward-Bey for a 12-yard gain with 1:02 left.
On the next play, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie was flagged for pass
interference on Heyward-Bey, giving Oakland the ball at the Cardinal
13-yard line [39-yards on play].
McFadden loss 4-yards on the following run and on 2nd and 14 with 49
seconds left, the former Arkansas star gained 3.
Oakland milked the clock and called a time out with 4 seconds left.
Janikowski missed a 32-yard field goal as time expired.
