They established an early lead, played solid defense and cruised to victory. Rarer are the occasions when Washington manages to exceed expectations against quality opponents.
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Derek Carr had a disgusting, no good, very bad day at the office.
“We certainly were aware he was somebody we needed to deal with”, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said.
The Raiders were soundly beaten on both sides of the line of scrimmage, including a rare instance where their offensive line was overpowered by an opposing defensive front. However, Cousins threw short to his left to Thompson, who broke a tackle, got free and ran 74 yards to the Oakland 10.
The entire Raiders football team, other than starting quarterback Derek Carr, sat during the national anthem with their arms linked.
Despite its uneven production over its first two games, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins was confident last week that the team’s offense was on the brink of breaking out. He was limited on Wednesday but practiced later in the week, though it sounds like he will not be able to play. After several small gains from running back Samaje Perine, Cousins then found Chris Thompson wide open to his left and the running back began another memorable night with a 22-yard touchdown catch and run.
The Redskins turned two Carr interceptions into 14 first-half points. After Cousins ran for two yards on third and four, a Hopkins field goal restored the Redskins’ three-score lead. Receiver Jamison Crowder, tight end Niles Paul and Reed, however, were among the handful of players who kneeled.
The Raiders have long struggled covering tight ends, and made the veteran look like his old self, when he was dominant as a 49er.
But from the restart, Rams’ returner Pharoh Cooper fumbled to hand the ball straight back to the 49ers.
Washington’s intention, one spelled out by players, coaches and even some of the team’s ex-players during the week was that the only way to beat the Raiders was to “strike iron”, “crack some skulls” and administer a physical bludgeoning.
Hoyer first threw a 3 year touchdown pass to Trent Taylor to make the scores 41-33, but even then most thought the touchdown was more a consolation prize rather than the start if an fantastic fight back from the 49ers. It wasn’t the only one. The Raiders offense was 0-for-11 on third down.
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Thompson was again a difference maker and has four of Washington’s seven offensive touchdowns this season. Carr had thrown 112 consecutive passes before being picked off by Montae Nicholson on the second play of the game. Prior to Sunday night’s game, reports surfaced that the linemen would be doing so. James Cower recovered the muffed punt, and Carr found Jared Cook a few plays later to score the team’s first touchdown.
