Welcome to the 1st half of the Raiders' week 12 matchup vs. the defending NFC Champions, Carolina Panthers. Leave a comment below the post on your thoughts during the half.
Q2
CAR 7 OAK 24
Now that was a fun quarter to watch! The Panthers are better than what their record indicates, but the Raiders are not taking anything lightly. All three phases are running well: offense, defense, and special teams. If it weren't for that roughing the passer penalty on Stacy McGee, the Raiders would've pitched a shutout so far. This is the kind of performance we've been waiting for from the Raiders all season long. I'm still fired up on that pick 6 by Khalil Mack to close out the quarter. That was a great athletic play to read the misdirection throw by Cam Newton. The negatives I can only pinpoint is that running game is not doing so well. The Panthers' D-line are doing a great job keeping the run game in check, but Tay Train was still able to punch in one rushing TD. Then, the last few offensive possessions I thought were a little too conservative. Some quick 3 and outs, pretty dangerous to leave all those points on the field for Cam and the Panthers offense. This should be a complete blowout right out of the gate. But, there's satisfaction to be taken in with this dominant first half performance. Derek Carr is distributing the ball well and the offense is just putting together solid, methodical drives to gas out the Panthers defense. The defense is creating a lot of pressure on the Panthers and their banged up O-line. Now, 2nd half, usually in the past, when the Raiders were up by this kind of margin, they put their foot off the gas and let the game be a lot closer than it is. They need to "keep pounding" on this Panthers team. No ifs, ands, or buts. Make the necessary adjustments and run the Panthers out of the Coliseum and straight out of Oakland! The 2nd half post will open up shortly.
Q1
CAR 7 OAK 7
So, Cam Newton gets his wish for the refs to call more roughing the passer calls. Defenses still do it, but when it's the Raiders, the flags come out immediately. But, aside from that, great start for the Raiders holding the Panthers to nothing on their first possession. Carr and the offense had a pair of very methodical drives. I gotta give Musgrave credit for a solid game plan to start. But going back to the last drive by the Panthers, I thought that penalty was questionable. No way Stacy McGee would've stopped his momentum going forward. But, gotta live with it. Still more football to go.
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