For the umpteenth time this season, the Raiders were demolished in the second half of a game — this time by a team whose quarterback had been with the franchise for two days.
NFL
The Raiders squandered a 16-3 fourth-quarter lead, victimized by embattled Rams QB Baker Mayfield, whom they acquired via waivers this week.
Regardless of how the Raiders attempt to spin their failings of the season, a 2-7 start was not the plan or expectation. Owner Mark Davis said as much before the season.
If they haven’t learned how to play four quarters by November, there’s no reason to think the Raiders will figure it out in the second half of the season.
The schedule was supposed to soften. Instead, the Raiders did — melting Sunday into a Silver and Black puddle before another sellout Caesars Superdome crowd.
Josh Jacobs powered the Raiders to a victory Sunday and eclipsed his mentor’s franchise record for most rushing yards in a player’s first 50 games.
Time is ticking for the Raiders, who have already squandered a pair of 17-point leads and rank dead last in red-zone defense through five games.
Maxx Crosby’s daughter hasn’t arrived, but the Raiders defensive end has as one of the NFL’s premier defenders. His next assignment: Patrick Mahomes on “Monday Night Football.”
Derek Carr’s performance Sunday during a 24-19 loss to the rival Chargers certainly wasn’t satisfactory, but it isn’t worth the panic that it seems to have created.
The transition from player to coach seems seamless for former Pro Bowl linebacker Antonio Pierce, who at age 43 displays enthusiasm about his first NFL coaching job.
Nate Hobbs was among the best rookie defensive players in the NFL last season, and will play a crucial role on the Raiders this year whether he starts in the slot or on the outside.
Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby said his burgeoning family gives him additional motivation. He and his fiancee are expecting a daughter in October.
North Dakota State wideout Christian Watson transformed from a lanky, unranked prospect into a 6-4 receiving dynamo who could be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
The Chargers beefed up during free agency. As did the Broncos and Raiders, prompting Adams to call the AFC West, home of the perennially tough Chiefs, “the best division in football.”
With a victory Sunday, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could seize the unofficial title of “best quarterback in the NFL” while Rams stars could solidify their legacies as all-time greats.
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