OAKLAND In a wild West Coast shootout with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers were reminded that a third-quarter spurt is ultimately no match for whoever draws first and fires last.
Oakland beat the Panthers 35-32, edging ahead by a field goal with just 1:45 to play.
A strip sack of Cam Newton on fourth-and-10 buried Carolina for good.
The Raiders struck first on a five-play, 62-yard drive during which quarterback Derek Carr was a perfect 4 for 4 with a touchdown pass to Seth Roberts.
Carolina answered within two minutes, driving 75 yards in three plays with a little help from a 47-yard run by Jonathan Stewart and two penalties, one a roughing call.