Carolina Panthers

Roaring Recap: Panthers 32, Raiders 35

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Late lead slips away (again) for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday…

After early victories for both Atlanta and New Orleans, the Carolina Panthers (4-7) needed a win on Sunday to keep pace in the division. Trailing at the half 24-7, Carolina responded leading by eight at one point after the break. However, a questionable coaching decision on fourth-and-one coupled with drops and a lack of quarterback protection down the stretch let the Raiders rebound and  hold on for the win.

Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr found himself in familiar territory on Sunday, trailing late in the game. The Oakland field general tied for an NFL best 12th tying or leading touchdown pass in the fourth quarter on Sunday via a 12-yard pass to Clive Walford with just over eight minutes remaining in the game.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of pregame activity before the Oakland Raiders play against the Carolina Panthers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There are two ways to digest another failed fourth quarter for the Panthers. One, Carolina’s starting roster and offensive line, in particular, was initially depleted and again shuffled due to both Daryl Williams and Gino Gradkowski sustaining injuries. Yet the team was able to rally back from an early deficit despite losing again late. Two, different pieces, same result. Regardless of who the players have been, the story of the 2016 Carolina Panthers remains the same. At 4-7, the Panthers have been on the losing end of five games decided by last-minute field goals.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

FIRST QUARTER: 7-7, TIED

After a few series of punts, the Raiders found the end zone for the first of three Carr touchdown passes in the afternoon. Seth Roberts was on the receiving end of a two-yard pass putting the Raiders on top.

However, Carolina would respond on the ensuing drive led by a strong rushing attack from Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers’ running back got loose through the middle on a 47-yard run setting up Carolina for the score. Three plays later, quarterback Cam Newton found running room along the left side to reach the end zone.

Not to be outdone, the Raiders would muster the beginnings of their second touchdown drive prior to the first quarter being completed. Carr led the Raiders back into Panthers territory as Oakland began moving the ball when the first frame expired.

Next: Second Quarter

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

SECOND QUARTER: 24-7, OAKLAND

Throughout the second quarter, Carolina would dig a seemingly insurmountable hole after allowing bookend touchdowns. Raiders running back Latavius Murray rushed for a four-yard score to end a drive started back in the first quarter.

Carolina would then allow a 23-yard field goal before tightening up their defensive play. Forcing two three-and-out series, the offense couldn’t muster anything noteworthy following their initial touchdown.

Already trailing 17-7, Newton threw an ill-advised screen pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Radiers’ defensive star Khalil Mack just prior to the half. Down 24-7 at the break, it would have been easy for Carolina to quit.

Next: Third Quarter

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

THIRD QUARTER: 25-24, CAROLINA

Quit? These Panthers chose instead to respond following the break taking a one-point lead into the final frame. On the second play of the half, Carr fumbled the snap, injuring his finger, and leading to a Thomas Davis recovery for Carolina.

Six plays later, Stewart found the end zone for his first of two rushing touchdowns, but the extra point attempt was blocked. An immediate three-and-out by a Carr-less Raiders offense was welcomed by Carolina taking a deep shot on offense. Newton connected with speedy receiver Ted Ginn for a 88-yard touchdown strike that took only three plays and hardly any time off the clock. Head coach Ron Rivera would go for two, but the conversion failed.

Carr would return for Oakland wearing a glove on his injured hand, but threw an interception to Davis setting up Carolina at midfield. Five plays later Stewart found the end zone again, but tight end Greg Olsen dropped a pass and another two-point attempt failed.

Carolina now led 25-24, but were missing at least three points due to the initial block and successive failed conversion attempts.

Next: Fourth Quarter

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera reacts during a NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

FOURTH QUARTER: 35-32, OAKLAND

Newton found receiver, Kelvin Benjamin to open the scoring of the final frame for a 44-yard touchdown strike pushing the lead to eight. However, Carr would respond as the Raiders began to move the ball again after being stymied in the third quarter.

The ensuing 10-play touchdown drive covered 75-yards and was capped with Walford’s reception and a successful two-point conversion attempt to tie the game.

After a nine-yard completion to Benjamin on 3rd-and-10, Carolina faced a fourth-and-one from their own 40-yard line. However, “Riverboat” Ron was nowhere in sight as the Panthers’ head coach immediately elected to punt. With five minutes, a make-shift offensive line, and three timeouts the decision wasn’t too questionable. But at 4-6 and with nothing left to lose, it seemingly felt as if the season hung on that one play and Rivera elected to punt it away.

Twelve plays later, Raiders’ kicker Sebastian Janikowski connected on a 23-yard field goal to put Oakland on top. Olsen dropped another pass that would’ve given the Panthers an opportunity to try and tie, but Mack’s strip-sack on fourth down sealed Carolina’s fate.

Next: Final Recap

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) shake hands after a NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After allowing 17 points during the fourth quarter of back-to-back games, the Panthers surrendered 11 to the Raiders letting another late lead slip away. As the injuries mount, Carolina will remain on the west coast before traveling to Seattle next week.

Afterwards, an emotional tight end Olsen talked about his drops taking much of the blame for the loss. “That two-point conversion, that ended up really being the difference,” Olsen said. “We would have been up 10 (after the Benjamin touchdown). They score, we’re up three and now they’re kicking that field goal to tie as opposed to kicking it to take the lead … It’s a tough loss. But we have to live with it. It is not for the faint of heart. You have to make the plays, starting with me.”

Carolina was the only NFC South team to not win on Sunday as the Buccaneers upset the Seahawks. Now three games back of the division leading Falcons, it appears that the playoff hopes for this year’s team are lost. It will be interesting to see how the team responds moving forward and entering a month where, historically, Rivera has had a lot of success in Carolina.

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