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BOX SCORE
OAKLAND – The Raiders' defense played in some time. The ground game also got up and running.
There were positive moments in Sunday's AFC West clash with the L.A. Chargers at the Coliseum, but a predictably negative result.
The Silver and Black were beaten 20-6 by a better team that eventually made plays to put this game to bed.
The Raiders are in their fifth consecutive loss and fourth in the row Chargers, holding on to next year 's No. 1 overall draft pick position.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Offense stuck in the mud
The Raiders found the end of the day in the third quarter of a loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, but they have now gone back to the score.
Coach Jon Gruden's offense has been stagnant for weeks, with an awful pbading attack stymied by poor protection and questionable play from the skill positions.
They could not get anything going against the Chargers, and wasted a solid defensive effort. They were down two scores heading into the fourth quarter, though the offense had plenty of opportunities to secure a lead.
Their best luck came from fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Gruden called for a jet to Dwayne Harris, who was not able to turn upfield and score. That was a tone setter for the Raiders, who moved the ball to the point.
Derek Carr was sacked four times on the day, and he has been sacked at least three times in the last five games. The downfield pbading game is virtually nonexistent and Jared Cook. That makes life taking yards in chunks, or moving the ball consistently.
While the defense has been heavily criticized in recent weeks (and deservedly so), the offense has struggled to be mightily and regressed over the last month-plus. This unit has failed to score a touchdown in three of its last four games.
In the Ultimate Concession, Carr Threw the ball away on the left after being down 14 points late with roughly three minutes left. They Raiders cried uncle there, unable to find the end of the struggle.
Big plays still haunt Raiders' defense
There was a lot to like about how the Raiders played defense against the Chargers. Coverage was solid throughout, and the pbad was made to generate some heat.
As usual, however, the Raiders have a propensity for giving up big plays. Philip Rivers threw a short pbad to Melvin Gordon, who juked cornerback Stationon Conley and made safety Reggie Nelson whiff we have 66-yard catch and run for Chargers touchdown. And, just like that, the Raiders were down with an offense that was mightily struggling.
Big plays have hurt the Raiders all season, especially with long rides and giving up plays from short pbades.
That was the case again Sunday. The Raiders will have a tough time winning games with teams
Townsend turns it around
Johnny Townsend has been heavily criticized on this website during a rough start to his rookie season. Space must be given to a solid showing by the Florida product.
Townsend flashed surprising speed on a fake punt, where he ran left for 42 yards. That seemed to get his adrenaline up, and he followed that with an NFL punter. He averaged 54 yards on three punts, and put one inside the Chargers' 10-yard line.
The Raiders have shown patience with their punter, and he rewarded them for it Sunday.
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