Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders tied after trading blows in first half

Nov 18, 2018, 3:40 PM

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

Things didn’t exactly get off to a great start for rookie quarterback Josh Rosen and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Luckily for Arizona, the game didn’t get out of hand as the Cardinals bounced back from the early miscue to head into halftime tied at 14-14 with the Oakland Raiders.

On the second play of the Cardinals’ opening drive, the Oakland defense got off to a quick start, picking off Rosen on his first pass attempt of the day.

The Raiders were quick to turn the pick into points as quarterback Derek Carr found tight end Jared Cook for the 23-yard score just three plays later.

Rosen, however, looked unfazed from the early INT as he answered right back.

After driving 46 yards on eight plays, Rosen turned to Larry Fitzgerald for the 18-yard score.

With the catch, Fitzgerald is just seven passes away from passing Jerry Rice for the most receptions with a single team in NFL history. It was also the All-Pro’s 113th touchdown catch of his career. Only six players have more.

Rosen’s first-quarter scoring wasn’t over yet though.

In the closing minute of the quarter, the quarterback found rookie wideout Christian Kirk on a short screen pass.

From there, it was all Kirk as he turned up the field, going 59 yards for the touchdown.

Kirk, who is celebrating his 22nd birthday Sunday, is the first Cardinals player with a TD on his birthday since Ernie Jones did it on his 27th birthday in 1991, according to to the team.

But just like in the first quarter, the Raiders would come down with an interception on the second play of a Cardinals drive in the second quarter. Oakland would once again turn the turnover into points as Carr found Brandon LaFell for the five-yard TD to tie the game at 14-14.

After scoring twice in the first quarter, the Cardinals were held in check in the second.

Rosen finished the half completing 6-of-13 for 114 yards, two scores and two interceptions.

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Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) pulls in a touchdown catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) scorers a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bene' Benwikere during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown as Oakland Raiders strong safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) and cornerback Nick Nelson (23) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pull in a touchdown catch against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) is tripped up by Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) high fives wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) breaks the tackle of Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) for a touchdown after the catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs for a touchdown after the catch against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (55) celebrates his sack against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders defensive back Karl Joseph (42) is hit by Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Korey Cunningham (79) after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Moore (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) makes a catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden talks with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinals with defensive end Shilique Calhoun (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick, top, and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jamar Taylor tackles Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks pass as Oakland Raiders defensive end Jacquies Smith (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass under pressure against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (72) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Josh Bynes (57) knocks Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) out of bounds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) runs as Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Josh Bynes (57) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) watches his 49-yard field goal split the uprights against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) alludes the tackle of Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) escapes the hit of Oakland Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) can't make the catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Leonard Johnson (27) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) intercepts a pass as Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Zack Golditch (75) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) celebrates his interception with defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and cornerback Daryl Worley (20) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) greets Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis watches his team prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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