Raiders winners and losers in wild OT win vs. Ravens

Raiders winners and losers in wild OT win vs. Ravens

Losers

Andre James

The Raiders new center had a ton of trouble against the Ravens’ oversized front, including multiple holding penalties. The issues started early when James was called for holding on the Raiders’ first drive. The march had started with promise, thanks in part to a 31-yard run by backup QB Marcus Mariota.

After his holding penalty, James appeared to snap the ball prematurely, causing Carr to fall on the loose football well outside of field goal range after Las Vegas was previously in a position to score a touchdown.

James will have to improve rapidly as the season progresses. Luckily for him, his teammates and coaches had his back and overcame his shortcomings.

Willie Snead

Wide receiver Willie Snead IV ends up on this week’s losers’ list thanks to one bad play. But if the Raiders had lost, the play would have lived on in infamy.

With the Raiders having already seemingly won the game on an Edwards TD reception on Las Vegas’ first drive in overtime, the play was reversed after review. Las Vegas again faced a goal-to-go situation to win the game.

In the face of a fierce pass rush, Carr went to Snead on a 3rd-and-goal from the 5-yard line, but the football went through Snead’s hands and after being tipped into the air, was grasped by Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett. Luckily for Snead and the Raiders, Nassib forced his fumble and Carr worked his magic with Jones.

Cory Littleton

While linebacker Cory Littleton had a decent game overall, finishing with 10 tackles (five solo), his role in perhaps the Raiders’ worst defensive play of the game earns him a spot on this week’s list.

It was the first of multiple tense short-yardage situations in this memorable contest. With the score tied at zero in the first quarter, the Ravens faced a 4th-and-1 from Las Vegas’ 35-yard line, and they went for it.

The Ravens got all 35 yards for the game’s first score, running right up the middle to paydirt. Littleton took an awkward angle and tackled only air, letting running back Ty’Son Williams jog nearly untouched to the goal line.

Other Raiders got abused on the play, too. But that was after Littleton’s whiff. Thankfully, the defense kept fighting all game long and recovered to earn the big win.

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