Oakland Raiders 28-27 Baltimore Ravens

By David Currie

Highlights of the Oakland Raiders clash with the Baltimore Ravens in week four of the NFL.

Oakland Raiders ended Baltimore Ravens unbeaten start to the season by hanging on for a 28-27 road win in a game that came to life in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders' win came courtesy in large part to a three-touchdown effort by wide receiver, Michael Crabtree, who caught his third and the game-winning score with just over two minutes to go.

Trailing by only one and with time still on the clock, the Ravens looked to swiftly march down the field for the game-winning field goal but were well out of kicking distance when they turned the ball over on downs.

Jags cling to Wembley win

The Jacksonville Jaguars got their first win after beating the Indianapolis Colts at Wembley.

In 140 characters...

Despite an error-strewn final quarter, the Raiders earn a third road win on the season in Baltimore; Crabtree notching three TDs.

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MVP

Crabtree. Although Derek Carr's four touchdown effort at quarterback ran him close, he gained only 199 yards passing. Crabtree caught three of those TDs, including the game-winner with a fantastic toe-tapping grab at the back of the endzone late in the game.

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Image: Michael Crabtree and the Oakland Raiders move to 3-1 for the season, keeping up the pressure in the AFC West

Game-changer

That Crabtree TD. Baltimore had just taken the lead for the first time in the game following a 52-yard score for Steve Smith - the 37-year-old's first since returning from injury - and Terrance West touchdown run off the back of a Raiders turnover. But Oakland wrestled back the lead thanks to Crabtree's sensational diving effort.

Stat of the Night

3 - road wins to start the season for the Raiders; the first time they've done so since the 2000 season. Their only loss this season was at home against Atlanta Falcons.

Score Summary

1st Quarter
OAK 7-0 BAL TD - S. Roberts 6 yd pass - D. Carr Extra point - S. Janikowski
2nd Quarter
OAK 7-3 BAL FG - J. Tucker 24 yd
OAK 14-3 BAL TD - M. Crabtree 5 yd pass - D. Carr Extra point - S. Janikowski
OAK 14-6 BAL FG - J. Tucker 43 yd
3rd Quarter
OAK 14-12 BAL TD - J. Flacco 1 yd run Two point conversion failed
4th Quarter
OAK 21-12 BAL TD - M. Crabtree 13 yd pass - D. Carr Extra point - S. Janikowski
OAK 21-19 BAL TD - S Smith 52 yd pass - J. Flacco Extra point - J. Tucker
OAK 21-27 BAL TD - T. West 3 yd run Two point conversion - M. Wallace from J. Flacco
OAK 28-27 BAL TD - M. Crabtree 23 yd pass - D. Carr Extra point - S. Janikowski

The Game 

After an edgy opening to the game by both offences, the Raiders got the first points on the board with Seth Roberts hauling in a six-yard touchdown reception from Derek Carr late in the first quarter.

The Ravens' struggles continued into the second quarter, with the Raiders defence regularly sending pressure on Joe Flacco due to some pass-heavy play calling.

A couple of Justin Tucker field goals - either side of a further Raiders TD to Michael Crabtree - did at least keep them in the contest though, trailing 14-6 at the half.

Image: Michael Crabtree scored three touchdowns against the Ravens, including the winner

The Ravens were a revived outfit in the second half, featuring a much more balanced attack after the break - RB West ultimately gaining 113 yards off 21 attempts on the ground.

It was Flacco though who ran in for a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter, but the Ravens failed with the two-point conversion trying to tie things up.

Crabtree added to the Raiders' lead with his second score of the day, but Oakland's errors at the back-end of the fourth quarter gifted the Ravens the lead as Steve Smith scored on a 52 yard reception, before Terrance West added a three yard run to lead 27-21. 

Image: Steve Smith Sr. got his first touchdown of the season, a 52 yard reception

The Raiders would recover the lead though with that man Crabtree again breaking free in the endzone and they would hold on for the win, to move to 3-1 for the season.

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