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5 season-defining games for the 2017 Oakland Raiders

By John Buhler

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders talks with wide recievers coach Nick Holz during the closing moments of the Raiders 27-10 loss to the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders talks with wide recievers coach Nick Holz during the closing moments of the Raiders 27-10 loss to the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 17: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders sacks Dak Prescott No. 4 of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 17: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders sacks Dak Prescott No. 4 of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Week 15: Loss vs. Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, 30-17

Even though it was a losing effort, the Raiders’ Week 15 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football will go down as one of their better performances of the year and probably the most memorable game. It was a thrilling contest between two playoff-desperate teams. Unfortunately, it would be Dallas coming out on top.

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Two plays of note happened in this game and both negatively impacted the Raiders’ chances of winning. Oakland was 6-7 and needed a win to stay alive in the AFC West race. Dallas was 7-6 and needed a win to keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Wild Card race. What we got was one of the most competitive Sunday night games of the season.

The Raiders defense played well against Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who was without his star running back Ezekiel Elliott for the sixth and final game of his suspension. However, this game was about two things: One, Prescott getting a favorable spot on a fourth-down conversion because head official Gene Steratore used a folded piece of paper for theatrical purposes. Two, Derek Carr fumbled the football out of the back of the end zone for a Dallas touchback.

Next: Oakland Raiders: 2017 NFL season review

Of course, Oakland could have prevented Dallas from scoring after IndexCardGate. Carr fumbling out of the back of the end zone is tough luck, but you have to appreciate his effort to go for the win. It was an exciting game for all four quarters, but the Raiders didn’t get it done, which in essence surmises their lost season on 2017.

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