Welcome in to the full recap of the Raiders' matchup vs. the Green Bay Packers where the Raiders kept this game competitive for the most part, but ill-advised turnovers by Derek Carr and a couple of penalties from the defensive backs hurt the Raiders in the long run as they fall to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers 30-20.
This loss ensures another non-winning season. Considering the turnovers and the missed red zone opportunities, I had this same gut feeling that the Raiders would not come back and win this game. I had some hope when Amari Cooper caught two of the TDs, but I got glimpses from the Viking game back week 10. As soon as the Raiders took the lead, they "giveth" away as the Packers quickly strike to retake the lead. The 4th quarter, just something about that quarter, the Raiders couldn't get over the hump. They made some strides in the Baltimore, Cleveland, and last week's game against the Broncos at Denver in closing out 4th quarters, but majority of this season, it has been all missed opportunities in showing up in the 4th quarter.
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Amari Cooper, 6 receptions, 120 yards, 2 TDs. Outside of this blog, I've been conversing with my brother and a few of my friends who are Raider fans that Amari Cooper is due for a multiple TD game at some point of the season. My prediction was correct and aside from recording his first multiple TD game, he broke the 1,000 yard mark. Amari Cooper becomes the first Raider receiver since Randy Moss to reach 1,000 yards in one season. Yes, he's been plagued by drops and kept in check in some games, but next year, like the game slowed down for Derek Carr this year, the game will slow down for Cooper in his sophomore season. For the most part, Cooper burned the Packers' cornerbacks this game. Now, it should be noted that the Packers were playing without their best corner in Sam Shields, but that opened up some opportunity and Coop cashed in before the Packers' defense decided to put safety help. With Roberts out and Crabtree in and out because of an injury, Coop stepped up big time this game. On another note, he becomes the first rookie receiver to record multiple TDs on the Packers since Randy Moss. It's going to be one heck of a battle between Coop and Todd Gurley for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but I think this game will slightly break the deadlock in favor in Coop.
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Turnovers. I think the Derek Carr's INTs set the tone for this game. To be down 14-0 quick in the first quarter is insurmountable by Raider standards. Despite the fact Derek Carr redeemed by throwing 2 TDs, the INTs were just killers and it set up a bad omen that the Raiders wouldn't be able to swipe this game away from the Packers.
Penalties. Defensive backs are so going to be the major emphasis in the offseason. Although, I will note that most of the PI calls were questionable. It's like every time the Raiders' defense gets a stop against the Packers' offense, the referees just have to get in on the action by flagging the defensive backs and what does that result in? The Packers getting second chance opportunities and the defense getting gassed out because they can't get off the field with these ticky-tacky flags. The Packers got away with some holding calls that weren't called, which is why Khalil Mack couldn't follow up from his 5 sack performance last week. I could argue all day, but the Raiders need a stout core of defensive backs so that these PIs don't get us Raider fans to jump because I was screaming expletives at the TV every time the a flag comes out after a third down stop for the Raiders' defense.
Red Zone opportunities. Like the INTs, the first two missed red zone opportunities were killers as well like Seth Roberts dropping a sure-handed TD. The Packer fans can argue either way because they know their team missed some red zone opportunities, but the Raiders needed to cash in on their opportunities the most to recover from a quick 14-0 deficit. The two aforementioned negatives and this one were key factors on what went wrong this game.
Conclusion
Well, this game shuts down playoff talks from here on out at this point of the season. But, despite ensuring another losing season Raider Nation, we can't deny that this team is on the rise. This game was definitely a tough loss, but this is a young team and they will take experience from these games. Closing out teams should be the emphasis next season because they were close in getting a few more wins. The Raiders need to just win out and get to .500. 8-8 is better than finishing 4-12 twice and 3-13. They get a short week because they play the Chargers on Christmas Eve, Thursday night. All we want for Christmas is a Raider win! I'll see you guys on Thursday, hopefully. It's going to be interesting for me to balance out covering a Raider game and talking with family. I'll see you guys later.
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