Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 43 yard as time ran out to hand the Pittsburgh Steelers their second loss of the 2012 season.
For the Raiders it was their first win of the season as quarterback Carson Palmer was 24-of-34 passing in the game for 209 yards with 3 touchdown passes. The Steelers defense had no answer for the Raiders on 3rd down as they allowed the West Coast style offense to convert 7-of-12 in the game.
While the Steelers offense was able to move the ball through the air via the no-huddle offense, turnovers at crucial times in the game killed them. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 36-of-49 in the game for 384 yards with 4 touchdowns, 2 of which went to tight end Heath Miller. Miller recorded 8 catches 60 yards.
Fumbles by running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Antonio Brown resulted in 10 points for the Raiders and running back Darren McFadden rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries, which included a 64 yard touchdown run on the Raiders second offensive possession.
Penalties also didn\’t help the Steelers on Sunday as they were flagged 10 times total for 81 yards. The Steelers special teams units, which had played well through the first two games of the season, gave up 87 yards on 2 kickoff returns.
Although the offense moved the ball fairy well though the air, the running game produced just 54 yards of offense on 20 carries, 8 of which came via an 8 yard scramble by Roethlisberger.
The Steelers defense only forced 1 turnover in the game and it came via an interception by safety Ryan Clark on the Raiders first offensive possession. The defense also only sacked Palmer once in the game as linebacker LaMarr Woodley notched his 50th career sack in the loss.
The Steelers have plenty of time to think about this loss as they now head into their bye week. They will return to action in two weeks to host the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field in week 5.
