Oakland Raiders Lose in San Diego in 13-6 Disappointment
By Chase Ruttig
Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is hit by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (93) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
For another week the Oakland Raiders offense could not get going as rookie Derek Carr sputtered along with a poor running game in a 13-6 loss in San Diego to the Chargers that the now 0-10 Raiders will feel they could have won after containing Philip Rivers for four quarters.
San Diego’s only touchdown came on the first play of the game as a early snap to Derek Carr caused a turnover that led to a Chargers touchdown with less than a minute played. After that point the Raiders defense allowed just two field goals, but the offense could not do their part in a game where two Sebastian Janikowski field goals were all that offensive coordinator Greg Olson could put on the scoreboard as the offense unit as a whole embarrassed themselves in San Diego.
In the end the Raiders had a chance to get within a field goal in the fourth quarter after a strong late drive from Derek Carr, but after ignoring the run on a short yardage situation despite Latavius Murray having a strong second half a bad back shoulder throw from Carr to James Jones interim head coach Tony Sparano made his second conservative decision of the game and kicked the field goal rather than going for seven to get within a field goal.
It would be the second time Sparano decided not to go for it on fourth and short despite the Raiders having nothing to lose at 0-9, failing to go for a 4th and 1 at midfield late in the second half. Sparano would come to regret the decisions as the Raiders would fall just short in their quest for a first win when his conservative decisions looked like missed opportunities to put needed points on the board at the end of the day.
In a positive spin the Raiders defense contained Philip Rivers all game to a low 13 points with Khalil Mack getting his first sack while DJ Hayden and rookie TJ Carrie shined at corner for another week. However at 0-10 it will be hard for any fans to feel positive about a game where after holding their opponents to 13 points the Raiders still found a way to lose.
Things won’t get easier for the Raiders this week as they have a short practice schedule before playing the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. Expect plenty of focus on the offense as the Raiders simply cannot continue to play so awful on offense if they expect to avoid an 0-16 season. Six points is never going to cut it in 2014 in the NFL when it comes to a winning effort, on Thursday night the Raiders will have to be drastically better if they expect to compete with the red hot Chiefs.