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Raiders rally past Bengals 20-17

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) scores a touchdown as Oakland Raiders defensive end Greg Ellis (99) in unable to stop him in the first quarter an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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By JOSH DUBOW, The Associated Press Updated 7:55 AM Monday, November 23, 2009

OAKLAND, Calif. — Bruce Gradkowski provided more than a spark for the struggling Oakland Raiders. He delivered a much-needed comeback victory that the Cincinnati Bengals handed over to Oakland.

Gradkowski threw a 29-yard game-tying touchdown pass to Louis Murphy with 33 seconds left and Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 33-yard field goal after Andre Caldwell fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Raiders a 20-17 victory Sunday.

The Bengals (7-3) have lost all 10 games in Oakland, including one playoff game. But this had to be one of the most painful. Cincinnati maintained its one-game lead over Pittsburgh in the AFC North after the Steelers lost in overtime at Kansas City, yet this loss could prove critical to seedings or even a playoff berth down the stretch.

Oakland (3-7) rallied from an early 14-point deficit and trailed 17-10 with 2:06 left when Gradkowski took over at the 20-yard line. Gradkowski, who took the starting job from JaMarcus Russell this week, threw a 19-yard pass to Zach Miller, then a 16-yarder to Chaz Schilens on fourth-and-10.

After a spike, Gradkowski found Murphy near the goal line. Murphy got loose from Morgan Trent and dived across the goal line for the tying score.

Just when it seemed the game was headed to overtime, Caldwell was stripped by Brandon Myers on the kickoff, giving the Raiders the ball at the 17. After three kneel-downs, Janikowski delivered the winning kick, setting off a celebration among the few fans who showed up. Nnamdi Asomugha intercepted a last-ditch pass from Carson Palmer to seal the victory.

The Bengals scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, but managed only three more points the rest of the way. They were done in by three lost fumbles, eight penalties and a missed field goal.

The biggest fumbles were by fullback Jeremi Johnson at the Oakland 15 and poised to add on to a 17-10 lead and the one by Caldwell. Shayne Graham also missed a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Palmer completed 14 of 22 passes for 207 yards and became the first Bengals quarterback to run for two touchdowns in a game since Jack Thompson in 1979. Rookie Bernard Scott ran for a season-high 119 yards in place of the injured Cedric Benson, and newcomer Larry Johnson had two carries for 5 yards.

Gradkowski replaced Russell in two of the past three games, but was unable to lead a single scoring drive. He did plenty with an entire week to prepare, giving the Raiders their first two-touchdown game since the opener.

He connected on a 10-yarder to Miller inthe second quarter and then the tying TD to Murphy. He finished 17 for 34 for 183 yards, with one interception and a lost fumble, and won for the first time since his rookie year in 2006 with Tampa Bay.

Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour left the game in the first quarter with a lower back injury.

___

November 23, 2009 12:38 AM EST

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Wow, I can see how bitter the Browns and Steelers fans are. Bengals have the second winning season in almost 20 years and they just can't stand it! As for "easy schedule", you think defeating the defending Super Bowl champs twice, and beating the other team twice that appeared in the AFC championship game last season -- that is "easy"? You suddenly don't have much respect for the Steelers or Ravens, huh?

Bob540
12:57 PM, 11/25/2009

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To "Grow up people" - It must be sad to live in a world where you don't root for anything or have any hopes and dreams. Maybe one day you will really believe in something. Until then, continue to mumble and grumble about anything and everything you can.

Tony
11:28 AM, 11/25/2009

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Same Ole Bungles....we have all been suckered into thinking this team had a chance, but all they are is a facade benefitting from a pathetically easy schedule and just plain dumb luck...Pure Mike Brown Fool's Gold...8-8 quality front office, 8-8 quality coaching....8-8 result...as usual, should have expected no different

Haywoode Jablome
8:03 PM, 11/24/2009

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Hey Tony, what position do you play? Your use of "we" & let's make me believe that you are a part of this team. My guess is you are not a member of this team or never was a member of any sports team. So, put down your pom poms and get a life. You are a loser that "follows" a pro football team. With that said, good luck to the Bengals and hope "you guys" play well.

Grow up people
3:19 PM, 11/24/2009

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It's one game, if we go 3-3, the Steelers have to go 5-1 and the Ravens have to go 6-0 to catch us. If we win 4 games, then we win the division. The next 2 are the Browns and Lions, so let's take car of business in these two, and at worst go 2-2 against the Vikes, Jets, Chargers, and Chiefs. We are still in first and still control our own destiny.

Tony
9:11 AM, 11/24/2009

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