Photo credit: @Big_Tah47
By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor
OAKLAND — Last week, the Raiders suffered their worst loss in 2018 losing to the Seattle Seahawks 27-3 in London, England in front of 84,922 fans (mainly Seahawks fans) at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon that saw their record fall to 1-5 on the season.
Starting quarterback Derek Carr, who completed 23-of-31 passes for just 142 yards, but was harassed by Seattle all day as the Seahawks sacked Carr six times. Mind you, Oakland’s offensive line was decimated by injuries with guard Kelechi Osemeli (knee) missing the game and two rookies in Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker starting at both tackle positions.
Against Seattle, Oakland’s offense totaled just 185 yards and completed just 33 percent of their third down opportunities (4-of-12). Seattle jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the fourth quarter before undrafted rookie kicker Matt McCrane booted a 43-yard field goal to put Oakland on the board.
Carr lost both forced fumbles by Seattle’s defense, but didn’t throw an interception for the first time this season. Heading into Week 6, Carr threw an NFL-high eight interceptions on the year.
At the bye week, Carr has thrown for 1,783 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 71.7 percent of his passes, which ranks third among all starting quarterbacks.
He did apparently injure his left arm (non-throwing) in the latter stages of the fourth quarter, which will be monitored throughout the bye week.
Running back Marshawn Lynch has rushed for 376 yards on 90 carries with three scores, which leads the Silver and Black.
Tight end Jared Cook who has been Carr’s most trusted receiver this season, leads Oakland in catches (32) and receiving yards (400) to go along with two touchdowns scored. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson leads the team with three touchdown receptions.
Through the team’s first six games of the season, Oakland’s offense ranks 28th in points per game (18.3), 15th in yards per game (373.5), passing yards (281.0) and 24th in rushing yards per games (92.4). Oakland has scored over 20 points in just two games this season (lost 28-20 in Miami in Week 3 and won 45-42 in overtime against Cleveland at home in Week 4).
Seattle’s offense racked up 369 yards of total offense against the Raiders on Sunday. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 222 yards on 17-of-23 passes with three touchdowns and one interception. Wilson led Seattle to two touchdowns on their first three drives of the game, and made it look easy in the process. Oakland’s defense looked confused by Wilson’s playmaking ability, which allowed Seattle to convert 9-of-13 third down attempts (69 percent).
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin led Seattle with six catches and 91 yards, while Wilson threw touchdown passes to Jaron Brown, David Moore and Tyler Lockett.
For the season, Oakland’s defense ranks 28th in points surrendered (29.3), yards (398.5), passing yards (266.7) and 28th in rushing yards (131.8).
Linebacker Tahir Whitehead leads Oakland with 43 total tackles (30 solo and 13 assisted), while fellow linebacker Bruce Irvin has three of the team’s seven sacks.
Oakland has four interceptions as a team, with four players each recording one.
Following the team’s bye week, Oakland will host Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in Week 8. Game time has been set for 1:05 pm PT on CBS.
