Offense sputters as Raiders drop 3rd straight game
The Raiders were unable to snap their losing streak and instead extend it to three games in a row after falling to the Cincinnati Bengals 32-13. (Cassie Soto/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Raiders drop 3rd straight game, lose 32-13 to Bengals
Updated November 21, 2021 - 10:58 pm

Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell (24) and cornerback Mike Hilton (21) tackle Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders middle linebacker Marquel Lee (55) and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Clay Johnston (44) get on each others faces during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah (87), Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) celebrate a touchdown in the second half during an NFL football game against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

The Cincinnati Bengals defense celebrates an interception by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks on from the sideline after throwing an interception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) rushes for a second half touchdown during an NFL football game against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrate a touchdown in the second half during an NFL football game against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) directs traffic with Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin (99) defending in the first half during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) leaps to try and make a catch past Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) in the second half during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

The Raiderettes perform in the second half during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) fights for extra yardage against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) in the first half during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) makes a touchdown catch under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates a touchdown catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) audibles in the second half during an NFL football game against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders free safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia yells at an assistant on the sidelines versus the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs the ball against Raiders defensive tackle Damion Square (97) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) after a run during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to the clock late in the game while losing to the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) is stopped on a critical third down by Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and outside linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the first half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A young Raiders fan is dejected along with others in the stands as the Cincinnati Bengals have the game in hand during the second half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) during the second half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) celebrates a critical third-down stop on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) with outside linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the first half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) defends a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

during the second half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) extends over the goal line for a score with Raiders free safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) at his feet during the first half of their NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) dives for a touchdown as he is tackled by Raiders free safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the first half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) as Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) closes in during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang

Raiders fan Regina Tobias outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Deadpool Raider, middle, socializes with fans outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders fans, including Jesus Fierros (89) and Sean Bryant (24) of Lake Elsinore, Calif. cheer a stopped third down in the first quarter as the Raiders take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Raiders fans outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders fan Graham MacDonald, middle, outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Fans pose for a photo before the start of an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) yells to teammates as they take the field versus the Cincinnati Bengals during warm ups before the first half of their NFL game Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders owner Mark Davis hugs Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals during warm ups before the first half of their NFL game Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
With everything to play for and all their goals in reach, the Raiders’ offense had an embarrassing performance on Sunday in a 32-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Again.
For the third straight week, they lacked urgency and aggressiveness and were inefficient on key downs. The result was a third consecutive loss, a second straight blowout at home in which they have been outscored 73-27, and plenty of soul searching.
“At the end of the day it comes down to are you moving the chains or not?” Raiders tight end Darren Waller said. “And we just haven’t been doing that.”
Sunday’s lackluster showing was as inexplicable as it was inexcusable, especially given the must-have circumstances of the game and the need to snap a two-game losing streak.
The Raiders began the day a half-game out of first place in the AFC West and tied for the last wild-card spot in the conference. In other words, they were right in the thick of things.
In spite of that, they played listless and disorganized offensively. The issues were everywhere you looked. From focus to execution to poise, they continually fell short.
The Raiders were just one of seven on third downs to stretch their recent third-down conversion rate to two of their past 16. They ran 47 plays to the Bengals’ 70, were crushed in time of possession, 37:20 to 22:40, committed two costly turnovers and converted just one of their three red-zone visits into a touchdown.
And no, the lone touchdown wasn’t achieved on an opening drive that began on the Bengals’ 9-yard-line after a 30-yard fumble recovery by safety Dallin Leavitt. The 5-5 Raiders wasted that opportunity when a futile three-play sequence covered all of one yard.
The inept beginning set the stage for an awful offensive performance and left fans at Allegiant Stadium no choice but to express their frustration in boos.
It was an acceptable gesture.
“We came out flat. It was terrible,” visibly angry quarterback Derek Carr said. “There’s no beating around it.”
With little to offer in terms of the why of it all, the Raiders will be hard-pressed to figure out a solution that pulls them out of yet another second-half slump.
“It’s been a little bit of an ongoing theme obviously, right now,” Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said. “We’ve been talking about it the last three weeks. We have to look at what we did poorly and try to fix it.”
A rapid turnaround to Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys at least offers an opportunity to quickly move on from Sunday’s ugliness. But it does nothing in terms of addressing the core issues.
March on the Raiders must, though. Solutions or not.
“No one’s coming to save us,” Carr said. “So we better figure it out.”
Carr is as good a place to start as anywhere.
After a torrid start this year that pushed him into the MVP conversation, he’s looked out of sorts over the past three weeks. Yes, the loss of Henry Ruggs had an impact, and it is worth noting the Raiders’ offensive slump coincides with the removal of Ruggs three weeks ago.
But he wasn’t so big a piece of the puzzle that his departure exonerates Carr for committing six turnovers against three touchdown passes over three straight losses. Nor does it explain the lack of execution on third downs or how Carr completed just five throws to two wide receivers on Sunday.
“You put it all on me. It starts with me” Carr said. “It starts and ends with me, and it’ll be my fault until I’m not here.”
It also doesn’t help that the Raiders’ run game has been a no-show all season, Sunday included after managing 72 yards on 18 carries.
The defense can’t be let off the hook, either, given the four critical penalties it committed. Three came on would-be third-down stops that led to 16 points by the Bengals.
“We shot ourselves in the foot a lot today,” Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman said.
Nevertheless, the defense played well enough to keep things close until the fourth quarter. But with the offense never getting out of first gear, the defense eventually caved in another blowout loss.
At some point, it becomes inevitable.
“Some people execute; some people don’t,” Waller said. “It separates the good teams from the great teams.”
Right now, the Raiders’ offense isn’t executing.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.