There was a complete change-over in the specialists for the Raiders last offseason Long-time specialists Sebastian Janikowski and Marquette King were let go and the replacements brought in by Jon Gruden underwhelmed. Eddy Pineiro was placed on injured reserve in September and Johnny Townsend has just a 38.2 net punt average this season.
In the midst of this Gruden has said he has found the long term answer at kicker in Daniel Carlson. And he continues to earn the praise of his head coach. Since his arrival in Oakland at midseason, he is 15/16 on field goals, including hitting his last 14 straight, and is 18/18 on extra points.