Andrews in turn tops Titans rushing. An unnecessary roughness call against Khalil Mack on third-and-1 set up the Titans at the Raiders 9-yard line. Who will win this game?
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Marcus Mariota was pretty inconsistent on the day. Oakland QB Derek Carr had to miss a play in the first quarter after appearing to tweak his ankle while throwing an incomplete pass. Carr returned for the team’s next possession…. The win snaps Oakland’s three-game skid, and at 5-6, puts them right back into contention in the AFC West race and the National Football League playoff picture. Hayden ranks 106th at his position, per John Glennon of the Tennessean. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive end Jurrell Casey, with five each, also are active. I expect it to be close, but am looking for the Titans to pull off the win. The penalty bailed out what seemed like a questionable play call – a jump -ball pass in the end zone to a double-covered Andre Holmes on fourth-and-8. But the challenge is on Del Rio to tighten this ship. The Titans secondary has struggled of late because of injuries to starting cornerbacks Perrish Cox and Jason McCourty. The Raiders are giving up 25 points per game, the Titans, 23 points per game this season. Carr has completed all three passes he has thrown more than 20 yards downfield the past two games, but is used to having more opportunities. They are going to come out and take control of the game from the beginning and end up with an easy win. “When you’re a receiver, you’re supposed to catch the ball”. It will be key to establish a running game and mix up the pass attack by relying on more than just one receiver.
The Titans climbed back into the game when Mariota hooked up with Harry Douglas for a 13-yard touchdown catch with 6:22 to play in the third quarter. They are a good team, but it really just comes down to us.
In the win-or-else world of the NFL, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has gone from the next big thing to being part of the problem in two weeks.
Then came a 30-14 loss to then-NFC North co-leader Minnesota, and an 18-13 road defeat against a Detroit team with only two wins.
Tennessee’s last drive ended when quarterback Marcus Mariota was intercepted by safety Nate Allen at the Oakland 38 with 43 seconds left, sealing the Titans’ 11th straight home loss, dating back to October of 2014.
The past two weeks the Raiders offense has underperformed. This was certainly a group effort, and there are a number of players worth noting as standouts in this one. However, in sloppy conditions against a top-three defense, it’s not a poor decision. On the downside, he was sacked once and fumbled twice, losing one.
Against Detroit, the Raiders didn’t even have the ball for 24 minutes and ran only 47 plays. Those are just three examples of ways the Titans continue to make it hard on themselves.
Don’t be surprised if he attacks this weak Raider’s defense and uses it as a confidence builder for his next few games.
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At 5-6 on the season, the Raiders remain in the hunt for the postseason, but they would need a lot of help to get there.
