SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2014
Jets 19, Raiders 14: Chris Ivory had a career-long 71-yard touchdown run and host New York benefited from a stifling defensive effort to win its season opener and spoil the debut of rookie Derek Carr.
Geno Smith completed 23-of-28 throws for 221 yards and tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Chris Johnson for the Jets (1-0), who enjoyed a 402-158 advantage in total yards. Offseason acquisitions Eric Decker and Johnson had big debuts, with the former reeling in five catches for 74 yards while the latter had 91 yards from scrimmage (68 rushing, 23 receiving).
Carr completed his first seven passes and finished 20-for-32 with two touchdowns for the Raiders (0-1), who have lost their last 14 games in the Eastern time zone. A second-round pick from Fresno State, Carr connected on a 12-yard scoring strike to Rod Streater in the first quarter before his 30-yard touchdown pass to James Jones trimmed New York's lead to 19-14 with 1:21 remaining in the fourth.
Veteran Charles Woodson's 57th career interception gave Oakland prime field position at the Jets' 28-yard line and Carr hit Streater, who scooted up the left sideline and into the end zone. The Raiders' 7-3 lead held up until Johnson accepted Smith's shovel pass and extended his body to fend off Woodson and cross the goal line with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Nick Folk kicked his second field goal late in the third quarter before Ivory used a tremendous individual effort to give New York a 19-7 lead. Ivory, who finished with 102 yards, bolted through the line, broke an attempted tackle and scampered for a touchdown with 8:03 remaining in the game.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New York improved to 8-1 against rookie quarterbacks under the watch of coach Rex Ryan. ... Oakland's Darren McFadden led the team with 15 yards rushing while fellow RB Maurice Jones-Drew mustered just 11 on nine carries. ... Woodson has recorded at least one interception in all 17 of his NFL seasons, joining Hall of Famer Darrell Green as the only players who have accomplished the feat. Green extended his run to 19 straight campaigns.