The Raiders went into Sunday’s game against the Green Packers knowing they needed to sweep their final three games to finish with a winning record and a possible trip to the playoffs.
Coming off a big victory over the division-leading Broncos, the Raiders had some momentum and big hopes.
Unfortunately for the Raiders and their fans, it was hardly enough to beat playoff-bound Green Bay – or ovecome some crucial mistakes -- at O.co Coliseum.
The Packers scored two quick touchdowns off a pair of Derek Carr interceptions in the first quarter en route to a 30-20 victory over the Raiders, who drop to 6-8.
The Raiders cut the gap to 14-13 at halftime thanks to two Sebastian Janikowski field goals and Carr’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper.
But the Packers answered with 10 points in the third quarter and six more in the final period – sandwiched around another Carr-to-Cooper TD pass -- to hold off the Raiders and extend Oakland’s playoff drought that stretches back to 2002.
Carr finished 23-of-47 for 276 yards and two TDs, but his two early interceptions were the difference in the game. He also was sacked three times.
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Cooper, in the running for Offensive Rookie of the year, had six catches for 120 yards and two scores.
The Raiders now have a quick turnaround, with a Christmas Eve date against the San Diego Chargers this Thursday night at O.co Coliseum (5:25 p.m. kickoff). Oakland will need to win that game, and the season finale in Kansas City on Jan. 3, to get to 8-8 and avoid yet another losing season.
