Oakland Raiders: Week 9 Notebook

Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is pressured by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Another week of Oakland Raiders football ended with a familiar result as the Silver and Black once again couldn’t finish a game to earn their first win of 2014, this time falling short to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks on the road in a 30-24 defeat in what is considered the toughest place to play in the NFL. Despite a lopsided first half, the Raiders stepped up defensively in the second half thanks to a punt block touchdown from Brice Butler as well as holding the Seahawks to field goals by making some halftime adjustments with rookie cornerback TJ Carrie, second year returnee DJ Hayden and safeties Charles Woodson along with Brandian Ross keeping Russell Wilson to one of his worst passing performances of the season.

Unfortunately the early mistakes made by the Raiders were the difference between a win and a loss, with a Sebastian Janikowski onside kick that was up for grabs falling just short late in the fourth quarter and allowing the Seahawks to run out the clock on a win to keep Oakland in the NFL cellar with an 0-8 record halfway through the season. Given that the Raiders were opening around Las Vegas (and those pesky online sportsbooks) as +15 underdogs the game could be considered a success after Mychal Rivera’s two TD receptions put a scare into the Super Bowl champs, but it didn’t make the loss sting any less for both fans and the players as yet another chance at a statement victory slipped away.

However the Raiders did earn another moral victory on Sunday, refusing to get blown out after early turnovers put the 0-7 team on the ropes. Instead the banged up Oakland defense (missing starters Tyvon Branch, LaMarr Woodley, Carlos Rogers, etc.) dug deep and kept Seattle out of the endzone to get back into the game while rookie quarterback Derek Carr shook off some struggles to begin the game to bring the Raiders back to within a touchdown twice in the second half. It may not have been a win, but the bright spots outweighed the disappointment of a loss that continued to keep the team in last place.

With that being said, following is the Week 9 Oakland Raiders Notebook: