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Oakland Raiders: 2017 NFL season review

By John Buhler

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders matches up against Brandon Shell No. 72 of the New York Jets at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders matches up against Brandon Shell No. 72 of the New York Jets at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

First Quarter (Weeks 1 to 4)

The Raiders may have had a rough preseason, but none of that really mattered. We didn’t want to believe what we saw in August was going to be a better reflection of this year’s team that we would have ever hoped to imagine. The Raiders had some business to take care of in the first quarter, but only went 2-2.

Oakland won its first game on the road against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, 26-16. Though the offense was inconsistent, this was rookie kicker Giorgio Tavecchio‘s finest performance of the year. A pair of 52-yard field goals helped solidify him as the Raiders’ present and future at kicker. The Raiders defense only allowed Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota to scamper into the end zone once in that ball game.

Week 2 saw the Silver and Black win arguably their most complete game of the season. The offense thrashed the New York Jets most magnificently, as Oakland destroyed Gang Green to the tune of 45-20. This was the peak of the Raiders’ season. However, it would be indicative of things to come. The pass defense was bad and allowed Jets quarterback Josh McCown to look very solid. New York would actually win a handful of games this season before McCown broke his arm.

Then things started to sour for the Raiders. They played on the road in their first Sunday Night Football game of the season. Oakland completely overlooked the Washington Redskins and got waxed, 27-10. Derek Carr played horribly and this game was certainly marred by controversy. There was reportedly some tension between Carr and the offensive line for how to handle the anthem protests. None of that translated to winning whatsoever.

Needing a big bounce back after a terrible loss in Landover, the Raiders absolutely got none of that in Week 4. Oakland would fall to the division rival Denver Broncos 16-10 at Mile High. This was the game where Carr broke the transverse process in his back. That gave way to his backup E.J. Manuel, who ended up throwing a pick to Justin Simmons near the end of regulation. Oakland obviously fell to 2-2 on the season.

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