Another Raiders loss, and unfortunately for Oakland, another disastrous drive of the game.
After salvaging a tie score in the first half against the Titans, the Raiders’ special teams and defense made big plays early in the third quarter, handing the offense a short field and a chance to take the lead.
The golden opportunity to play complementary football fell by the wayside, however. The Raiders came up short on this week’s drive of note, which helped usher in a 42-21 loss.
After the Raiders failed to convert a 3rd-and-2 play on their opening drive of the second half, a skillful 37-yard boot from punter A.J. Cole pinned the Titans back at their own 6-yard line.
Oakland’s defense forced Tennessee’s first punt of the game, with linebacker Nicholas Morrow disrupting a big third-down play with a blitz. It was a three-and-out series, so after a Titans punt and a 12-yard return by running back Jalen Richard, the Raiders were in business. They were primed to break a 21-21 tie.
But the offense fell flat, going three and out themselves. A short run by RB DeAndre Washington gave way to a near interception from quarterback Derek Carr on second down. The pass should have been picked off; it landed right in the hands of Titans LB Jayon Brown after an attempted dump-off by Carr.
On 3rd-and-8, Carr dropped back to pass. Facing modest pressure, he climbed the pocket expertly, keeping his eyes down the field. He misfired, however, on an attempted throw to wide receiver Zay Jones, who was tightly covered.
When the team watches the game film, they’ll see an open receiver in Keelan Doss, who slipped initially on the play but recovered in time for Carr’s pocket climb. The Titans scored on the ensuing drive, and the Raiders never had another chance to take the lead.
Capitalizing on this opportunity wouldn’t have guaranteed the Raiders a victory. Far from it. The defense played terribly all day. But a score would have lifted the club’s spirt and extended the game further at the least. Additionally, it was a prime chance to practice what coach Jon Gruden preaches: complimentary football. The offense, however, couldn’t capitalize.
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