
ALAMEDA –- The Raiders scored two touchdowns in 242 seconds. They eliminated a double-digit deficit and took a 14-13 advantage over the Minnesota Vikings just before halftime.
It was an exciting stretch, where an explosive offense asserted its will. The fun, however, didn’t last.
The Raiders were shut out in the second half, the longest scoring drought since the season opener. The effort was bookended by team’s first slow start in forever, an effort that was unpleasant for a group that scored at least 33 points in three straight games.
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While the Vikings defense is an excellent unit, the Raiders blamed poor execution on a disappointing result. They’ve looked inward this week, hell-bent on getting back on track.
“I think you see a difference in most competitors after a loss like that,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. “I know I feel different after. I think we all want to keep getting better each and every week. When you have a setback, it doesn’t sit well with any of us.”
[BAIR: Injury report: Raiders C Hudson returns to practice]
The Raiders have a chance to get right on Sunday against a Detroit Lions team ranked No. 29 in scoring defense. They are No. 25 in total yards and No. 28 against the run.
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The Raiders offense is healthy, save blocking tight end Lee Smith, and looking for a hot start on the road and a return to extremely productive ways.
“Well it’s important in terms of hopefully taking the crowd out of it a little bit,” Musgrave said. “But we just want to start fast and stay on the gas. We need to be able to sustain it. We all look forward to the games. Practice is a necessary evil. Sometimes it’s drudgery, but our guys really come out here and work hard every day. They get amped up and start to crescendo up on Friday, Saturday and get ready to go for post time on Sunday.”
The Raiders have been focused on correcting mistakes, even a player like Derek Carr who doesn’t make many.
Derek is very objective,” Musgrave said. “I think we all are on our staff and the entire offensive side of the ball. We own our mistakes. When we make them, we definitely try to learn from them and do better the next time.”