Carson Palmer to have Big Day in the Stat Book

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Carson Palmer could be in for another busy day for the Oakland Raiders.

With top two running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson slowed this week by sprained right ankles, the Raiders may need to rely on their passing game when they visit the Baltimore Ravens.

Palmer threw the ball 61 times last week against Tampa Bay as the Raiders (3-5) were forced to play catch-up in the second half after losing McFadden and Goodson to the injuries. Neither back practiced Wednesday and their status remains in doubt for Sunday's game against the Ravens (6-2).

''We've got a plan in place if either or both of those guys are not able to play,'' coach Dennis Allen said.

That likely will involve lots of passing with no other proven halfback on the roster. Palmer set a career high in attempts in last week's 42-32 loss to Tampa Bay, completing 39 passes for 414 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

With McFadden out for the entire second half, Goodson getting hurt in the fourth quarter and Oakland falling behind by 18 points, the Raiders ran the ball just three times in the second half - their fewest in eight years.

''You got to adjust to what your health is of your team, but you know it's a team that's had some yards rushing on them, especially the last couple of weeks,'' Palmer said. ''It's very odd. I have never seen that before in my career. So, there are some things we want to take advantage of in the run game.

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Oakland Raiders vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 6 2012-13 NFL Season

Game preview

Week 6 Raiders @ Atlanta

Raiders rally past Steelers 34-31

Raiders rally past Steelers 34-31

Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, second from right, celebrates with teammates Dave Tollefson, right, and holder Shane Lechler, third from right, after kicking a 43-yard game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. At left are Steelers linebackers Larry Foote (50) and Chris Carter (54). Oakland won 34-31. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

by Josh Dubow (AP Sports Writer)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- With an efficient offense led by Carson Palmer, an opportunistic defense that stepped up in the final minutes and a clutch kick by Sebastian Janikowski, the Oakland Raiders turned a somber mood into a celebratory one.

Janikowski kicked a 43-yard field goal on the last play as the Raiders scored the final 13 points after wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was knocked out and hospitalized by a scary hit to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-31 on Sunday.

''You put a lot of hard work, blood sweat and tears into trying to build a championship team, and one of your guys goes down, especially in a situation like that, it's hard to keep your focus,'' coach Dennis Allen said. ''But I thought our guys did an outstanding job in getting their focus back, coming back and executing, and winning a game in the fourth quarter.''

There was a pall over the stadium early in the fourth quarter when Heyward-Bey was knocked unconscious by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the end zone by Steelers safety Ryan Mundy that was not called a penalty by the replacement officials. Heyward-Bey was taken to the hospital with a concussion and neck injury. But Allen said he was able to move his extremities, which was a welcome sign for the Raiders (1-2).



The team said he was in stable condition and will stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
Palmer then threw his third touchdown pass and Janikowski kicked two field goals to beat the Steelers (1-2) and get the Raiders on track after two losses to open the season.

''Any time they take one of your brothers out, you have to retaliate and get them back,'' safety Michael Huff said. ''Obviously not in an illegal way or anything like that. We wanted to go out and get the win for him because he couldn't finish it.''

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10 Things We Learned from San Diego Chargers' Win

By Ross Warner (Featured Columnist)
It wasn’t pretty but it was a win. Specifically, a win against the Oakland Raiders, and there have been seasons where that was the only win that mattered.

Given Chargers fans' specific concerns going into the game, there was a lot to be pleased with after the game’s conclusion. A team and a season are both works in progress. Like a horse heading into the home stretch, a team wants to heat up at just the right time. The Bolts have never been able to do that. That’s why fans are so skeptical and subsequently frustrated.

However, last night was a good start. There were more reasons to be optimistic in an “ugly” game than in a “fast” 4-1 start like a year ago. There were still flaws galore which Bolt-heads lamented and which ended up dooming the team in the end.

It’s a new season and the sample size is only a single game. Let’s look at 10 things we learned, if only for one night.

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Raiders Sign WR Derek Hagan

Raiders Sign WR Derek Hagan
Posted Sep 6, 2012

By Jerry Knaak

The Oakland Raiders Thursday signed veteran free agent wide receiver Derek Hagan.

Hagan, who was most recently with the Buffalo Bills, played in six games with two starts for the Raiders last season. The eight-year veteran had 11 catches for 114 yards with the Silver and Black last year before signing with the Bills and playing in four games with one start. He was released by Buffalo on Friday.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hagan is a veteran of six NFL seasons, seeing action in 69 games with eight starts with the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Raiders and Bills. His career totals include 109 receptions for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns.

The Palmdale, Calif., native entered the league as the Dolphins’ third-round pick (82nd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft. He finished his collegiate career at Arizona State as the Pac-10 Conference’s all-time leader with 258 receptions.

To make room on the 53-player roster, the Raiders waived cornerback Coye Francies.