What we learned in Raiders’ loss to the New York Giants in Week 9; plus help is on the way
Missed opportunities cost the Las Vegas Raiders in a game where they had big chances to score more on at least two or three additional drives.
Derek Carr missed Darren Waller twice in the end zone and also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, and Daniel Carlson missed a field goal in the third quarter.
All that contributed to a 23-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Raiders (5-3) were in the red zone in the final minute, but Carr was sacked and fumbled, giving the Giants (3-6) the ball to seal the game.
If there was one big takeaway from the loss, it’s that Las Vegas needs a deep playmaker at wide receiver.
The Raiders are particularly lacking after Henry Ruggs III was released by the team following his involvement in a fatal crash last week in Las Vegas.
But it looks like help is on the way in free agent DeSean Jackson, who reportedly will be joining the Raiders.
Jackson, 34, was said to have talked with Raiders officials on Saturday.
Odell Beckham Jr. is another option the Raiders could consider. OBJ will be on the waiver wire Monday. If he goes unclaimed by Tuesday, he will be a free agent.
The imminent signing of Jackson gives the Raiders a player who can take the top off defenses, an offensive trait that was definitely lacking against the Giants.
Could the Raiders also add OBJ? The Raiders have at least $5 million available in cap space, though it was not immediately known how much Jackson will be getting.
Waller had 92 yards through the air, but the wide receivers combined for 69 yards. Hunter Renfrow had 49 and Zay Jones one catch for 20 yards.
It was evident Sunday that the Raiders needed a deep threat for Carr, even though the quarterback admittedly struggled and took the blame for the loss.
Here were the missed opportunities:
▪ The Raiders had a chance to cash in just before halftime, but Carr overthrew Waller as he ran down to the middle of the field from the 14-yard line. Carr put his hands to his helmet in frustration after the throw. The Raiders settled for a field goal to take a 13-10 lead into the half.
▪ On second-and-7, Waller worked his way free at the back of the end zone but Carr instead scrambled for 4 yards. On the next play, Carr was pressured and looked to Waller but overthrew him. The Raiders again kicked a field goal
▪ Trailing 23-16, the Raiders had returned to the red zone, but Carr turned the ball over at the Giants 13 with his fumble off a sack with 44 seconds remaining.
The Raiders were 1 for 6 (17%) in the red zone. Entering Sunday’s game, the Raiders had a 61.54% touchdown percentage there.
Jackson has shown, even while dealing with injuries in recent seasons, he’s capable of making big catches inside the 20 as he has throughout the career.
Jackson’s first game likely would come against the Kansas City Chiefs in a prime-time contest next Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 5:02 PM.
