It was another partial game for the Raiders. And once again, their portion was not quite as successful as the opponent’s and they fell short in the end, falling to 0-3 on the season.
This one was similar to the season-opening loss to the Chargers where the Raiders dug themselves a hole they were unable to dig themselves out of.
This hole was a 24-10 deficit at the half. After giving up touchdowns on the first three possessions, they would hold the Titans scoreless in the second half. But the Raiders’ comeback attempt ended with a failed two-point conversion in the final seconds.
Ballers
WR Mack Hollins
It was the heroics of Hollins that gave the Raiders a chance late. Well, technically they started on the first drive when he had a 20-yard catch on third and 15. The Raiders were able to get a field goal on the drive.
In the third quarter, he showed up on special teams when he kept an AJ Cole punt from bounding into the end zone and then fell on it at the one. Even with a 30-yard completion on the drive, the Titans still didn’t make it to scoring position on the drive.
His heroics continued with six minutes left in the game. Derek Carr threw for Hollins along the left sideline. Hollins made the catch, broke several tackles and took it for 60 yards. The Raiders got a field goal out of it to pull within eight points.
With three minutes left in the game, the Raiders would get the ball back. They quickly found themselves in fourth-and-ten and Carr again looked for his favorite target on the day. He threw it deep for Hollins, but he was turned inside and the pass sailed outside. Hollins tracked it down, twisting to adjust to the outside shoulder and made a ridiculous over-the-shoulder grab for 48 yards. It was an extremely difficult catch to make and if he didn’t make it, the Raiders’ hopes end there.
Later in the drive, the Raiders were in fourth down again. This time from the nine-yard-line. And, of course, Carr danced with the date that got him there. Hollins was covered, but Carr threw it anyway and Hollins leaped in the air and reached over the defender to pull in the touchdown.
The two-point conversion failed, but Hollins is the reason they were in that position at all.
Also see: Mack Hollins’s huge catches, career-day give Raiders chance late vs Titans
DE Maxx Crosby
The first stop of the game was Crosby making a tackle for loss on Derrick Henry. He was in on three of the first four plays, including a batted ball and another run stop for no gain. But he can’t do it all by himself and they drove for a TD anyway.
Crosby was a big part of the Raiders holding the Titans scoreless in the second half. He made the first tackle on a run stuff for no gain. On the next play, he got pressure leading to the pass not being delivered on time and an ineligible man downfield penalty. On third and long, Ryan Tannehill was picked off.
He had another run stuff for a loss on third and short on the following drive and it would end with a turnover on downs. And the drive after that he added another run stuff and a pressure leading to an incompletion.
In the final Titans possession, the Raiders desperately needed a quick stop. And Crosby provided it. He had a run stuff at the line on the first play and sacked Tannehill for a 12-yard loss on the next play. They went three-and-out.
He finished with a team-leading nine combined tackles (five solo) and the only sack and tackles for loss (2) the Raiders had in the game.
RB Josh Jacobs
Jacobs had 66 yards on 13 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and five catches for 31 yards, to give him 97 yards from scrimmage.
His first run went for ten yards, setting up their first score. And on their first TD drive, on consecutive plays, he had a six-yard catch, a throwback pass to Carr that led to a 17-yard completion to Davante Adams, and an 11-yard run to put them in first and goal at the one. They scored on the next play.
He led out the Raiders’ first scoring drive of the third quarter with a 13-yard run and added a five-yard run. Then he led out their final scoring drive with a 13-yard catch.
TE Foster Moreau
The Raiders’ first touchdown doesn’t happen without Moreau. He started out the drive with a 22-yard catch and two plays later added a 14-yard catch in which he dragged his feet inbounds along the right sideline.
On their scoring drive to start the third quarter, Moreau laid the block out right to spring Brandon Bolden for a 12-yard run. He added an eight-yard first down catch in the fourth quarter.
T Thayer Munford
The rookie seventh-round pick made his first career start and played every snap. In that time he gave up one sack and that was the only pressure he gave up all game long. He didn’t even have a penalty. Well done, rook.