Wild finish lifts Raiders by Chiefs
Derek Carr threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree on the final play after the game was extended by two straight defensive holding calls and the Raiders snapped a fourgame losing streak with a 31-30 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last night in
Oakland. With their season on the line following the recent slump, Carr led an 85-yard touchdown drive in the final 2:25 to give the Raiders the thrilling comeback win in a game they trailed by nine points heading into the fourth quarter.
Giorgio Tavecchio won it with the extra point following Crabtree’s TD, setting off a celebration on a wild night that included Oakland running back Marshawn Lynch getting ejected in the second quarter for shoving an official.
Carr finished 29-for-52 for 417 yards and three touchdowns, with Amari Cooper catching 11 passes for 210 yards and two of the scores.
Alex Smith threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns but it wasn’t enough for the Chiefs, who lost consecutive games for the first time since Oct. 11-18, 2015, and had their 12-game winning streak in the AFC West snapped in a thrilling finish.
CEO disputes Kaep
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York said he doesn’t believe there’s merit to Colin Kaepernick’s claim that NFL owners collectively conspired to keep him from playing in the league, as his recent grievance alleges.
“It’s hard for me to get into any details or really share my opinion. But I don’t believe there’s base to that claim that he’s being blackballed,” York said.
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers last winter after it was made clear by new general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan that the quarterback would have been released. He was scheduled to make $14.9 million for 2017.
Kaepernick on Sunday filed a grievance against the league and its owners alleging he remains unsigned as a result of owners colluding against him after he kneeled during the national anthem before games last season.
Fournette: I’m in
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette says his ankle feels good and he “most definitely” will be healthy enough to play Sunday at Indianapolis. Fournette missed a second consecutive practice yesterday because of a sprained right ankle. The rookie expects to do “cutting and stuff” today before coach Doug Marrone decides his status against the Colts . . . .
The Panthers could be without two key players when they visit the Bears.
Three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed his third straight day of practice with a concussion while wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed a second consecutive day with inflammation in his left knee . . . .
New York Jets running back Bilal Powell is expected to play at Miami on Sunday after practicing fully for the first time since straining a calf muscle nearly two weeks ago . . . .
Teddy Bridgewater says he “definitely” believes he’ll play for the Minnesota Vikings this season, after returning to practice for the first time in almost 14 months.
Adams comes, goes
The Buffalo Bills have designated linebacker Tyrell Adams as being waived injured a day after he was claimed off waivers.
Adams had been claimed by Buffalo after the second-year player was released by the Raiders. He was the odd man out in Oakland after the team signed veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman ....
The Washington Redskins put defensive lineman Jonathan Allen on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot.