Buccaneers vs. Raiders 2012: Carson Palmer forced to air it out

The Raiders almost pulled off one of the most unlikeliest comebacks ever Sunday despite allowing Buccaneers RB Doug Martin to compile 272 total yards and four touchdowns against them in Oakland's 42-32 loss.

The boys in black were down 35-17 in the fourth quarter after Martin busted off his third touchdown run of 45+ yards, but QB Carson Palmer refused to wave the white flag as he aired the ball out a whopping 61 times. Palmer went 15-of-23 for 149 yards and three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes, but he also threw two interceptions as Tampa Bay's defense read the Raiders' one-dimensional ways.

A huge reason for Palmer attempting so many passes was the fact that both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson were knocked out with ankle injuries. With no run game to fall back on, Palmer put up some huge numbers including 39 completions (second all time in team history) and 414 yards (fourth all-time). Still, as Levi Damien of Silver and Black Pride points out, those aren't the real stats that the team desires:

"The Raiders know [Palmer] is no "game manager". They know that he has the toughness to hang in the pocket and is not afraid to air it out to make a big play. While that has its rewards, it is the risks that have had the Raiders falling short. It will mean big numbers for Palmer but perhaps not the numbers he really wants - those in the win column."

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