NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Raiders were clearly tired of losing. Frustration built over the last three weeks, expanded at each stage of a three-game skid.
It was evident after a Week 11 loss to the Detroit Lions, which stands at the low point of this uneven season. Players were embarrassed after that one, believing that on-field execution belied the team’s true potential.
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They weren’t generating big plays on offense. The defense couldn’t stop anything.
Something had to change. On Sunday, it did.
The Raiders made plays when it mattered most and snapped a three-game losing streak with Sunday’s 24-21 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
Domination was never in effect, but the Silver and Black did just enough to tally a win.
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After three weeks of losing, that’ll do.
It wasn’t easy, especially after giving up a fourth-quarter lead following a fumbled snap by quarterback Derek Carr.
The offense got it done late in the fourth quarter, taking the lead with a 12-yard touchdown catch by Seth Roberts. That put the Raiders up by three points, making the most of a drive extended by a defensive holding call on fourth down. A pair of plays later, Derek Carr found the end zone.
The moment was a relief more than anything else. The Raiders seemed set on losing this one, with mistakes that kept the Titans in it.
Nate Allen secured victory with an interception on the Titans comeback try, cementing victory for a team sorely in need of a win.
The victory the team’s fifth, the highest win total since 2011. It took Jack Del Rio a bit longer than expected to get there, but the milestone is a small reminder the team is moving in the right direction.
Quarterback Derek Carr had a solid day, completing 24-of-37 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. The run game never got revved up, but the Silver and Black produced through the air with solid days from Amari Cooper and Seth Roberts.
Cooper had seven catches for 115 yards, and Roberts had six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders started slow but caught up faster than previous weeks. They eliminated a six-point lead with a 7-yard touchdown catch by Michael Crabtree with four minutes left in the first quarter.
The seven-play drive kick started the Raiders offense, which score 17 unanswered points to take a two-score lead. It expanded with a 24-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski.
The offense had possession to start the second half, and certainly made the most of it. They marched 69 yards on eight plays on a series that ended with a 10-yard touchdown catch by Seth Roberts. The drive was spurned by a 41-yard catch from Amari Cooper.
Cooper responded well to a disappointing performance at Detroit, when he had one catch and two drops.
Tennessee got back in it with a touchdown pass hauled in by Harry Douglas, and connected on a two-point conversion that made up for a blocked extra point in the first quarter.
Then Jeremy Ross, who was released by Baltimore for ball security issues, fumbled on the return and gave it back to the Titans.
No matter. David Amerson ended the drive with an interception, snagging a Marcus Mariota pass that slipped from the rookie’s hand.
Hayden sits, Amerson stands tall: DJ Hayden had started over David Amerson the past two games despite the backup’s superior play. On Sunday, the coaches made things right. Amerson got the start opposite TJ Carrie, and Hayden was glued to the bench.
He didn’t even come on in the nickel. Neiko Thorpe was the extra corner, with Hayden only contributing on special teams.
The 2013 first-round pick had struggled making plays on the ball, and lost a starting gig because of that fact.
Playing Amerson was the right call. He had an excellent day, with several pass breakups and an interception.
Injury update: The team came out of this game relatively healthy.
Quarterback Derek Carr took a shot in the back in the first quarter and was attended to by trainers. He only missed one snap, and no injury was reported.
Other than that, no injuries were reported.
Hudson among inactives: Raiders center Rodney Hudson didn’t practice all week and was in no position to play Sunday’s game. His sprained right ankle was too sore to go on Sunday, especially after it got aggravated in last week’s loss to Detroit.
Tony Bergstrom started in his stead. There was one unexpected inactive, with tackle Khalif Barnes on the bench and Matt McCants active for the first time this season.
Taiwan Jones’ knee did not cooperate this week, and he was inactive after being considered questionable on the team’s injury report.
Other Raiders inactives: CB Keith McGill WR Rod Streater, LB Neiron Ball, TE Gabe Holmes.
What's next: The Raiders wrapped up a two-game road trip and are heading home for a tussle with the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs.
This is the first of two meetings in five weeks for the AFC West rivals. It’s a victory virtually essential for playoff hopes on life support. The Raiders have to go on a win streak to get back in it.