PHILADELPHIA – Here are three things you need to know from the Raiders' 19-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field:
1. Passing game out of sync: The Raiders passing attack used to be dynamic. That was last year, when the offense was humming and quarterback Derek Carr was considered a legitimate MVP candidate. It's broken now, in complete disarray as this season comes to a close.
It was particularly awful against the Eagles, unable to find a rhythm of any kind. Protection was shoddy. Receivers weren't getting much separation. Carr struggled with accuracy and threw a pair of costly interceptions.
Outside a 63-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper, Carr's was 14-for-28 for 87 yards and two interceptions. His last set up Philadelphia's game deciding field goal with less than a minute left.
The Raiders ran well against the NFL's best rush defense, but couldn't get going through the air. Carr threw just five passes 10 yards or more in the air, and finished with 4.6 yards per attempt.
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio did not want to point fingers after this loss, even with offense clearly at fault for another disappointing result.
"That's going to be a continuing conversation for us," Del Rio said, "but you win and lose as a football team."
Sports
The Raiders were in it late, but couldn't muster enough offense to make a win work.
"It's come down to the end and we have not made plays," Carr said. "We have to be better. We have to get better. And if we don't, we're going to keep feeling like this. That's not what we want for our fans, our team and our organization. Everyone deserves better and we have to give it to them."
2. Losing season well deserved: The Raiders lost their ninth game of the season, securing their 12th losing season since 2002. So much was expected from this group, fresh off a 12-4 season with Super Bowl dreams.
The Raiders played like a team undeserving of a playoff spot, woefully inconsistent on offense especially. A loss next week against the Chargers would push the total into double digits, a shocking sum for a seemingly talented team.
This unit looks good on paper, but has rarely played to its talent level.
"It's a fine line between being really good and where we are right now," Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. "You work hard, go out and compete when you get your opportunity. You have to earn it. Those things keep you from becoming what it could be. All the woulda, coulda, shouldas aren't going to get it done. You try to make the most of your opportunity, and you live with the results."
The Raiders don't want to hear about what could be. Not at this stage, in a lost season without hope for recovery.
"Potential's just a vomit word because it doesn't matter if it doesn't come together," Raiders right tackle Marshall Newhouse said. "We have to be brutally honest with ourselves, and take our lumps. The sun's going to come up tomorrow and we're going back to work and try to win again."
3. Defense continues late-season surge: The Raiders defense has played pretty well over the last five games. They were particularly good against Philadelphia, holding the Eagles to just 3.5 yards per play. They had two sacks and two turnovers. The Eagles were just 1-for-14 on third down.
That's winning football, under normal circumstances. The Raiders offense struggled mightily in the passing game, and wasn't able to capitalize on their opportunities. According to the Associated Press, they started five drives at their 40-yard line or better and came away with zero points.
The defense kept things competitive all night, and has continued a solid stretch where they're getting sacks and generating turnovers. Del Rio believes that unit is setting a solid foundation for future seasons.
"Damn right it is," he said. "They are doing things the way they need to be done and gaining confidence every week."
