Frustrating loss to WFT puts Raiders season on the brink
Raiders suffer frustrating loss to Washington
Updated December 6, 2021 - 4:41 am

The Washington Football Team celebrates after a field goal putting them ahead of the Raiders 17-15 during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) misses a Hail Mary pass for the last play of the game against the Washington Football Team during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) just misses the block on Washington Football Team kicker Brian Johnson (16) for the game-winning field goal during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The Washington Football Team celebrates after a field goal putting them ahead of the Raiders 17-15 during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

A Raiders fan reacts after the Washington Football Team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders free safety Trevon Moehrig (25) and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (77) leave the field after their team's loss during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89), Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) and Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) stand on the field after losing to the Washington Football Team at the end of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders and the Washington Football Team fans during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) leaves the field after a 17-15 loss to the Washington Football Team following an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Raiders fans during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) scrambles past Raiders defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (77) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) streaks down the sideline with Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on his back in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5), Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and Raiders outside linebacker K.J. Wright (34) tackle Washington Football Team tight end John Bates (87) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles away from Washington Football Team defensive end James Smith-Williams (96) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward (29) attempts to make an interception past Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) puts pressure on Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward (29) and Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) tackle Washington Football Team wide receiver Adam Humphries (13) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a big play with Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

The Raiderettes perform in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia is pleased with his offense during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) is carted off after an injury versus the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) is wrapped up by Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates a critical defensive stop versus the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) is tackled by Washington Football Team wide receiver Adam Humphries (13) after making an interception in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) watches the game from the sidelines versus the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) tackles Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is upended by Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) makes a throw past Washington Football Team defensive end James Smith-Williams (96) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders running back Peyton Barber (31) leaps forward past Washington Football Team middle linebacker Jamin Davis (52) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) wears his My Cause My Cleats during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) scores a touchdown past Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) makes a touchdown catch against the Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and outside linebacker Cory Littleton (42) tackle Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) catches Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) after a run along the sidelines during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs the ball under pressure from Washington Football Team middle linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) is carted off the field during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders outside linebacker K.J. Wright (34) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) tackles Washington Football Team running back Wendell Smallwood during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts to being penalized for roughing Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4), not pictured, during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) misses the ball under pressure from Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is brought down by Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) after a run during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a timeout after getting tackled by Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) pleads his case for a late hit from the Washington Football Team during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) hauls in a long pass over Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders fans celebrate a running back Josh Jacobs (28) score over the Washington Football Team defense during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) turns the corner for a score over Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and defensive tackle Daniel Wise (92) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) leaps above Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) dodges a tackle from Washington Football Team defensive back Deshazor Everett (22) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) is tackled by Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) bobbles a long touchdown pass late versus Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) celebrates an interception with teammates in the south end zone over the Washington Football Team during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates a touchdown with center Nick Martin (66) and center Andre James (68) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off the ball to running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the first half of an NFL game against Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) jumps past Washington Football Team defensive back Deshazor Everett (22) during the second half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) dodges a tackle from Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) gets sacked by Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
As Tre’von Moehrig made the perfect read followed by the perfect break on the football Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, everything was available to him and the Raiders.
A late-game pick-six to seal a critical late-season win. A second straight victory to allow the Raiders to continue their playoff push.
All the Raiders’ hopes and dreams were inches away from remaining intact. All Moehrig had to do was make the play.
But just as the rookie safety cut in front of Washington Football Team wide receiver Adam Humphries and reached up to pluck Tyler Heinicke’s pass out of the air, the inexplicable happened.
And it perfectly crystallized a frustrating season that hangs on the brink after a stunning 17-15 loss that leaves the 6-6 Raiders virtually no room for error as they navigate a five-game sprint. Ahead of them awaits matchups against the Chiefs, Browns, Broncos, Colts and Chargers.
Rather than securing the football for a game-saving interception, Moehrig let it slip through his hands. By the time it innocently bounced off the grass, Washington had new life.
Three plays later, Brian Johnson kicked a 48-yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining to essentially drive a stake through the heart of the Raiders’ playoff hopes.
“It was a mistake,” Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs said of Moehrig’s misplay. “Mistakes happen.”
They do.
But the six-second sequence capsulized everything that is wrong about the Raiders. Including their inability to better handle their business across any number of prior sequences that led up to it.
Had they done so, the Raiders would have avoided such an important game coming down to a first-year player’s rookie mistake.
Specifically, their season-long habit of starting slowly on offense and their equally habitual struggle to finish off promising drives with touchdowns rather than field goals.
Both of which pushed the Raiders to the edge of their patience Sunday.
“I feel like we come in just stiff and dull in games sometimes,” angry running back Josh Jacobs said.
Said Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia: “We gotta come up with some plays, somehow. Find a way to make a play with people on us. Find a way to make a throw even when we’re under duress.”
The Raiders wasted nearly an entire half trying to find an offensive rhythm. It took until their last drive before halftime to come up with their first three points.
Meanwhile, four trips to Washington’s side of the field resulted in one touchdown.
Their three field goals — rather than touchdowns — deprived the Raiders of the wiggle room to survive Washington’s late-game push. Most frustrating of all, the Raiders were coming off a 36-point game against the Cowboys in which everything was clicking.
“It looks good one week … and then it’s not,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “We just got to keep working. As hard as it is to say that for me, that’s the only choice that I have.”
Yes, not having tight end Darren Waller because of a knee injury did not help. But so too did an inability to produce an effective run game or consistently give Carr clean pockets from which to operate.
“Very frustrated,” said Carr, who contributed to the issue by missing the mark on a throw to Zay Jones in the end zone and Foster Moreau on a deep seam route.
“Field goals, they’re not going to win you games,” Carr added. “You got to get touchdowns, especially (against) the teams we have coming up.”
The Raiders have been repeating that point all season. Their .500 record after 12 games is the frustrating proof of their inability to consistently turn talk into action.
“We have to get better at scoring touchdowns and not field goals. We know that,” said wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. “Until we get that fixed we’re going to keep losing games.”
The Raiders’ defense surrendered just 298 yards to Washington. After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, they didn’t allow another point until the fourth quarter.
That left the Raiders, who finished with 310 yards of offense, more than enough time and opportunity to get even and build a big enough lead to put Washington away.
But they didn’t.
“I think it’s a mindset,” Jacobs said. “I think people just coast a little bit too much. And that’s definitely frustrating.”
It’s put the Raiders’ season on the brink.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.