Heading into a contest with the New Orleans Saints, the Oakland Raiders knew they had to click on offense and get big performances from quarterback Carson Palmer and his receivers to pose a challenge. Instead, fullback Marcel Reece finished as Palmer's leading receiver and the Raiders couldn't muster enough points, falling 38-17.
Reece hauled in four catches on five targets for a game-high 90 yards, including a long of 56. He also led the Oakland rushing attack with 103 yards on 19 carries.
Carson Palmer, who's been criticized at times for checking down to his backfield receiver too often, didn't have tunnel vision for Reece in the loss. In throwing for 312 yards, he consistently looked downfield and targeted his outside options, but had trouble connecting.
Denarius Moore, who's served as Palmer's home-run hitter, could only catch one of the seven throws Palmer threw his way for nine yards. In the Raiders' three wins this season, Moore has recorded at least four receptions and a touchdown in each contest.
Reece is filling in for Darren McFadden, who is recovering from a high-ankle sprain.