Raiders collapse against Cardinals, drop to 0-2

The Las Vegas Raiders, in an embarrassing fashion, choked away the opportunity to get a win in their home opener on Sunday. The Raiders drop to 0-2 after losing a 29-23 overtime stunner against the Arizona Cardinals. The Raiders were outscored 29-3 in the second half and in overtime.

The Raiders offense didn’t come out running and gunning. Instead, they came out and took 10 minutes off the clock and ended the series with a one-yard screen pass to WR Davante Adams to put up the first points of the game.

Things looked good for the Raiders offense and defense as the Raiders would be up 20-0 at the half. In reality they weren’t, as the Raider offense stalled out and left their defense to hang during the second half.

The offense shut down as they tried to rely on dump-offs and the run game, which didn’t work in their favor.

Coach Josh McDaniels said the offense couldn’t live off of the third and long situations the team was in during the second half.

“When you try to live like that (converting third and longs), it’s tough to do that on a consistent basis,” McDaniels said.

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray put on his Superman cape and scored two total touchdowns and two two-point conversions to extend the game into overtime. During overtime, Murray tried to connect with Cardinals WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, but Raiders DB Duron Harmon broke up the play and gave the Raiders a chance.

QB Derek Carr connected with WR Hunter Renfrow for a crucial first down, but Renfrow fumbled. Luckily for the Raiders, TE Foster Moreau was able to fall on the ball to keep the drive alive.

The Raiders just needed a couple yards to get in K Daniel Carlson’s field range. Renfrow got his number called again, but this time Cardinals LB Isaiah Simmons rocked Renfrow, which forced a fumble. The fumble was then picked up Cardinals CB Bryon Murphy, who took it 59 yards to house for a walk-off win for the Cardinals.

Carr said that the Raiders have to learn how to win.

“It starts with me, it always will,” Carr said.

Key Performers

• LB Divine Deablo led the team with 15 total tackles
• RB Josh Jacobs finished with 81 total yards
• QB Derek Carr threw for 252 yards and two TDs
• K Daniel Carlson finished with 11 points on 3/3 FGS and 2/2 on PATs

The Raiders need to have a short memory on this one as they visit the Tennessee Titans on Sep 25., the #1 seed from the AFC playoffs last season.