ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals beat Raiders in home-opener for first preseason win

Aug 12, 2017, 10:56 PM
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, right, greets Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL...
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, right, greets Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer made his first appearance of the preseason on Saturday and Drew Stanton looked sharp as Arizona beat the Raiders, 20-10.

Palmer threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brittan Golden to cap his brief preseason debut while Oakland quarterback Derek Carr watched the game from the sideline.

Palmer, at age 37 beginning his 15th NFL season, directed Arizona on a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to start the game. It looked as if the Cardinals were headed for a short field goal, but the Raiders were called for covering the snapper on the kick, giving Arizona a first down and setting up its opening TD.

David Johnson had a 10-yard run in the opening drive. The standout running back carried three times for 16 yards before calling it a night.

Two of the Raiders’ top defensive players, All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack and linebacker Bruce Irvin, joined Carr and Lynch as spectators.

While it was the preseason opener for Oakland, it was Arizona’s second outing. The Cardinals starters did not play in the team’s 20-18 loss to Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game.

NO CARR: Carr had been expected to see his first action since breaking his right leg in a game last Christmas Eve, but coach Jack Del Rio chose to have his starter sit the opener out.

BACKUP BATTLE: E.J. Manuel got the start at quarterback for Oakland and had a strong showing in his battle with Connor Cook for the backup job. Manuel completed 10 of 12 passes for 107 yards.

Cook played the entire second half, completing 10 of 21 for 81 yards

NO RUST: Palmer showed little sign of rust after a very light week of workouts.

He hadn’t thrown a pass in practice since Tuesday, taking Wednesday and Thursday’s workouts off.

CARDINALS QBs: Stanton, who appears to have a firm hold on the backup quarterback job despite the addition of Blaine Gabbert, had a strong first half in relief of Palmer.

Stanton, Palmer’s backup for the past four seasons, completed 11 of 15 passes for 112 yards, including a 7-yard TD pass to tight end Troy Niklas.

Gabbert played most of the second half, completing 5 of 9 passes for 53 yards.

JUST WATCHING: Neither of Oakland’s two top draft picks played. Cornerback Gareon Conley, the first-round pick, and the second rounder, safety Obi Melifonwu, are nursing injuries.

Arizona wide receiver John Brown, slowed by a quadriceps issue, did not play.

OFFENSE RESTS: The only members of Oakland’s first team offense to play were tackles Marshall Newhouse and Vadal Alexander.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) and linebacker Josh Bynes (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquis Bundy (18) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Anthony Cioffi (37) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) scrambles against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, right, greets Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio prior to an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson and free safety Reggie Nelson (27) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch walks along the sidelines prior to the team's NFL preseason football game agains the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James after throwing a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws under pressure from Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) watches his missed field-goal attempt during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hugs teammate Brittan Golden (10) after Golden scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws for a touchdown as Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) closes in during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a defensive stop with Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Marshawn Lynch talks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio watches during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) carries teh ball as Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski sits on the bench after missing a field-goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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