By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) shouts from the mountain tops after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints Sunday at the Superdome

Jack Del Rio went for it all in the first game of the season, and his gamble succeeded and on the road no less.

Derek Carr found Seth Roberts from 10 yards out with 47 seconds remaining in the game to bring the Oakland Raiders within one, and instead of sending Sebastian Janikowski for tie, Del Rio went for two and the lead. Del Rio’s hunch was right, as Carr found Michael Crabtree in the end zone and the Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints 35-34 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Raiders trailed the Saints by as many as 14 points in the second half and saw Drew Brees shred their defense for 424 yards and four touchdowns.

Brees drove the Saints down the field to give rookie Wil Lutz a chance to win the game from 61 yards out.

Lutz’s chance at giving the Saints a thrilling victory, but his kick went just wide left to give the Raiders a one-point victory.

Jalen Richard made a great impression in his NFL debut, as on his first ever carry in the NFL, Richard took the handoff from Carr and broke thru the defense for a 75-yard touchdown run to bring the Raiders within two. Carr then threw to Amari Cooper for the two-point conversion and the tie.

Following the touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion, Brees found Willie Snead for a 57-yard completion and Snead fumbled the ball; however Michael Thomas recovered the ball and advanced to the Raiders two-yard line. Brees then found Travaris Cadet from two yards out to give the Saints a seven-point lead.

It looked like the Saints were going to escape with a victory, but Craig Robertson was flagged for pass interference on fourth down giving the Raiders new life.

The 424 yards passing by Brees gave him 14 career 400 yard games, tying Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history.

Brees set a team record that stood for nearly 17 years, as he found Brandin Cooks for a 98-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown pass broke a record that stood since October 10, 1999, when Bobby Hebert found Eddie Kennison from 90 yards out.

Carr threw for 319 yards and one touchdown, while the Raiders gained 167 yards rushing against the defense coached by former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, who was the coach of the Raiders when Carr was drafted out of Fresno State in the 2014 Draft.

Asides from Richard’s 75-yard touchdown run, the Raiders also got touchdown runs from Latavius Murray from six yards out, then Jamize Olawale from two yards out.