Oakland Raiders’ Early Deficit Sinks Playoff Hopes in Loss

The Oakland Raiders found themselves in a hole too deep to overcome against a playoff team.

The Raiders needed a clean, precise and full 60-minute performance against a perennial postseason contender and came up with about 30 competitive minutes; that’s not going to fulfill a winning objective.

Quarterback Derek Carr threw interceptions on back-to-back offensive drives in the first quarter of Sunday's 30-20 loss, which helped the Green Bay Packers’ struggling offense.



Packers fullback John Kuhn powered through the Raiders’ goal-line defense after the first interception. Green Bay returned the second interception for a touchdown.

The Raiders’ resilience propelled the team into a competitive balance, but the energy seemed to wear off by the fourth quarter, when the offense flatlined.

Oakland scored zero points in the first and final quarters, which tells the story of Sunday's contest. The Raiders dug a deep hole early and failed to bail themselves out late.

As a result, the 6-8 Raiders will move forward without a chance at the postseason.

 

Commitment to Excellence: David Amerson’s Reboot

Washington’s trash became the Raiders’ treasure over the past few games.

Cornerback David Amerson continues to perform at a high level. He intercepted Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' ill-advised red-zone pass late in the fourth quarter to provide one final opportunity for the Raiders offense.

Opposing offenses continue to target Amerson, but he’s answering the challenge as a league leader in passes defensed, per Silver and Black Pride's Levi Damien: 



Amerson’s solid play puts D.J. Hayden’s future into question. Both cornerbacks have squandered initial opportunities as starters, but Amerson, a former second-round pick out of North ...

About the Author