Palmer plays it safe in Raiders opener

(Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. With AP Photos.) By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer The high-risk, high-reward passes that characterized Carson Palmer's first half-season as Oakland Raiders quarterback were absent in the season opener. Instead of taking chances for big plays down the field in the passing game, Palmer mostly chose the safer route of dumpoffs to running back Darren McFadden. The change in strategy led to a turnover-free performance from a quarterback who threw 16 interceptions in nine games a year ago but also led to a lack of big plays for an Oakland offense that relied on them last year. Palmer threw just three of his 46 passes more than 20 yards downfield, completing none of those throws, in the season-opening 22-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers. -- Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL