But that wasn’t almost enough for the Raiders, who have dropped three straight following a 2-0 start, putting a severe dent in their hopes to challenge in the AFC West.
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That was an early Christmas gift from Jack to the Ravens, who advanced to 3-2 overall, in pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) for first place in the AFC North division. You know we’re 2-3 after five weeks of the season. The Raiders played three road games in their first four contests and had all-grass fields, but they had the dirt infield to deal with for their first home game because the field had a baseball setup. I think they are still going to try to win the game. “We get into a rhythm, we’ll be hard to stop”.
Baltimore gets off the hook with its third win of the season. You get what you earn and right now we’re 2-3. “You can’t wait till Week 14, Week 15 or Week 16”. “We just keep getting our ass whupped”. Not this time. The punt netted 24 yards and the Ravens put the game out of reach with a gut-busting, run-run, 13-play drive that ended with a field goal.
The play-calling on both sides of the ball was generally odd and uninspired, the decision-making conservative and ultimately defeating when coach Jack Del Rio passed up going for it on fourth down at midfield with nine minutes to go in the game and his team down by 10.
Raiders Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn had a verbal altercation with fans as he exited the players’ parking lot at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum following his team’s 30-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He’s also facing a defense that leads the National Football League with nine interceptions. On Sunday before the game, Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg confirmed he was going deep on the first snap. At least Marshawn Lynch was able to find goal-line pay dirt to make this game interesting. The game plan should be the same and they can execute it.
The game should also be a good litmus test for Oakland’s banged-up secondary, even though the Ravens haven’t had much success throwing the ball.
Carr is now nursing a back injury but was volleying hard to play against the Ravens. We have to figure out what those things are. Raiders LCB David Amerson (concussion) was inactive.
Derek Carr is officially listed as questionable, which doesn’t rule him out from playing this week.
Michael Wagaman is a freelance writer.
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The Raiders defense got beat time and again on third down, and rarely kept the Ravens off the scoreboard. The offense scored a combined 44 points and the defense allowed just 10 points in the first two games, both wins. Now, the receiver that pass was intended for was Amari Cooper.
