Raiders End Losing Streak With Shutout of Chiefs

Dec 16, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Sebastian Janikowski made five field goals to help the Raiders end their six-game losing streak as they shutout the Chiefs at home, 15-0.

Oakland was helped by a strong running game Darren McFadden rushed for 110 yards on 30 carries, while Mike Goodson recorded 89 yards on 13 carries.

Carson Palmer, who was under the weather, completed 18 of 29 passes for 178 yards. Fans got their first glimpse of young Terrelle Pryor, who saw his first playing time under center this afternoon. He came in for one series to start the second quarter, but was immediately backed up thanks to a false start. A couple of handoffs and an incomplete pass on third down wrapped up Pryor’s day at quarterback.

The Raiders took a 9-0 lead into halftime on the strength of three Janikowski field goals. It was an extremely ugly start for both teams, but what did you expect?

What was even more alarming was that the Chiefs did not record a single first down in the first half. They punted the ball five times as Brady Quinn was 8/12 for just 35 yards. Kansas City was -2 yards rushing, and just +17 total yards.

Oakland’s first promising drive came midway through the first quarter, when Palmer led them all the way down to the 2-yard line of the Chiefs. Unfortunately, his 3rd and goal pass was deflected, and they had to settle for a field goal.

Janikowksi would attempt three more field goals of 50+ yards, and made two of them. The first was a gift thanks to a Joselio Hanson interception in Chiefs’ territory, which set up a 50-yarder from SeaBass. After missing one from 51 yards, the Raiders forced a three-and-out from Kansas City, then drove the ball down the field in the final seconds to set up a 57-yard attempt, which Janikowski made for his longest field goal of the season.

Oakland had the ball for over 20 minutes in the first half as opposed to just over nine minutes for the Chiefs.

The second half was much of the same story, as Janikowski kicked two more field goals in an ugly affair,

Down 12-0, the Chiefs drove deep into Raiders’ territory in the third quarter, and had a chance to cut into the lead. However, Oakland thwarted their fourth-and-goal attempt, preserving the shutout,

Kansas City, who recorded just seven first downs in the entire game, could never convert on their three fourth-down chances. Twice in the final frame they had a fourth-and-one, and were unable to gain the one yard.

The Raiders advance to 4-10 with the win, snapping their six-game losing streak.