The Oakland Raiders looked like they were about to make a decisive move to get back in the AFC playoff race. Instead they're going to be spending the rest of the season needing to win their games and hope everyone else loses theirs.
The Raiders went up 27-14 on an Aaron Curry fumble recovery for a touchdown, but decided not to go for two points to make it a true two touchdown lead. So the Detroit Lions could end up winning instead of tying with two TDs, which is eventually what ended up happening.
After a personal foul penalty by the Raiders set the Lions up on the next drive near midfield, Matthew Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for 17 and eight yards, Calvin Johnson for 24 yards, and Titus Young for a three yard score. After the Raiders picked up two first downs and ran the clock down to the two minute warning, Shane Lechler pulled off the perfect coffin corner punt down at the one yard line.
But the Lions only needed a few short completions between Stafford and Pettigrew and Nate Burleson to get out of that quandary, and then Stafford connected with Johnson for 21 and 48 yards to put the Lions into the red zone. On 2nd and goal, Stafford found Johnson in the back of the middle of the end zone to give Detroit the one point lead.
Carson Palmer (who had a great game but ended up losing anyway) found Kevin Boss for 13 and 21 yards and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for six yards, but Ndamukong Suh blocked Sebastian Janikowski's potential game-winning 65 yard field goal as time expired.
To discuss the game with Raiders fans, go to Silver and Black Pride. To discuss the game with Lions fans, go to Pride of Detroit.