Raiders Review: No Excuses, Just Heartbreaking Defeat -

If luck is the residue of design, then the Las Vegas Raiders failed to scheme up any good fortune on Sunday.

Seeing as Daniel Carlson recorded nine lead-changing field goals in the final two minutes of overtime in 2021, it becomes evident that the Raiders struggle to win games comfortably. Through the 2021 season, the Raiders recorded three victories that were decided by more than one possession (Week Two, 26-17 @ Pittsburgh, Week Six, 34-24 vs Denver, and Week Seven, 33-22 vs Philadelphia).

The House Didn’t Win

Much was discussed about the Raiders’ “win luck” regressing in 2022, and Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals could be listed as a game that went the other way. But, this game was so much more than unlucky bounces or a typically clutch offense not having the magic touch; this was an outright bungling of a 20-point lead against a lesser team.

Roaring Start

The Raiders’ first half could not have gone much better, as they pitched a shutout while running up the score, but did not only take their foot off the gas in the second half, they put the car in park and removed the keys from the ignition. Due to their lead and apparent complacency, there was almost negative energy or effort for the Las Vegas offense to do anything but wind the clock and punt the ball away.

DC4 Takes Off

Derek Carr finished the first half with more than 210 passing yards but would finish the game with 257. In fact, a 47-yard pass interference penalty drawn by Mack Hollins surpassed Carr’s second-half passing totals. Additionally, other than the penalty-drawing pass, Carr attempted one pass longer than 10 yards for the remainder of the game.

Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm

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Stuck In Neutral

It is difficult to tell whether this was a quarterback decision or a coaching decision. However, the fact that a decision to play far too passively was made is completely unacceptable. Said decision put the pressure on the Raiders’ defense to allow twenty-three points or less while essentially being on the field (and chasing the elusive Kyler Murray) for an entire half of football. Certain losses sting more than others, but this one supplants itself in the highest echelon of painful losses. Knowing the game was the Raiders’ to lose and subsequently watching them slowly let the game slip out of their grasp is far worse than a blowout.

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Pigskin Somnambulism

While watching the Raiders offense sleepwalk, it began to feel like Carr throwing an interception would have woken the team up. Instead, consistent incompletions leading to punts implied neither team was all too concerned with competing. Carr turning the ball over could have one of two outcomes. First, the team realizes Arizona is not just going to take a 20-point loss on the chin and snaps back into gear. Lastly, Carr gets even more protective of the ball and curls into his shell. Regardless, the team saw neither outcome as Carr’s passes found the ground more than his receivers.

The Most Silver Of Linings

The largest positive slant is that this is a massive learning moment for the new regime. While it is unfortunate that “prevent defense (and offense) prevents you from winning” has not been widely taught, this loss can be used to fuel the fire needed to succeed throughout this grueling season. After two weeks, the season has not been completely lost. The Raiders do have stretches and pockets of winnable games. However, the margin of error shrunk to very little at this time. The team will have to finish their fifteen games at 10-5 to match last season’s record. Plus, due to the competitiveness of the AFC, they may have to do even better to return to the playoffs.