The Las Vegas Raiders saw their three-game win streak, and likely their slim playoff hopes, snap at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams with Baker Mayfield at quarterback after only joining the team two days prior. The Raiders lost 16-3 lead after allowing back-to-back fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including a 98-yarder to complete the Rams’ comeback.
After completely shutting down the shorthanded Rams offense all night long, one missing star receiver Cooper Kupp, the Raiders imploded down the stretch in embarrassing fashion. Making things worse was that the Raiders had multiple chances to end the Rams’ comeback, only for it to be undone by their own terrible mistakes.
And it is this that is most frustrating for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. After the game, Crosby lamented the Raiders’ inability to close out the game, noting that most of their issues are self-inflicted, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com:
“We had every opportunity to close this game out, and we didn’t,” Crosby said, via NFL.com. “Just sick about it. It’s tough. You know, we played good football for most of the game. We just didn’t close the game. And it’s happened before. It’s unfortunate. We have work to do. As simple as that. It sucks because when you’re in the game you feel like you’ve done enough to finish it and then we just keep giving them chances. It’s all self-inflicted s***. So, that’s what makes it hard. It is what it is. Obviously, it sucks. I just feel bad for the fans.”
There were multiple plays down the stretch that were absolutely crushing to the Raiders’ hopes. On the final drive, Duron Harmon had a game-sealing interception overturned thanks to a pass interference call on Amik Robertson. On the following play, Crosby sacked Mayfield for a nine-yard loss, but Jerry Tillery picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play for slapping the ball out of Mayfield’s hands, nullifying the lost yardage and stopping the clock.
On the previous drive, the Raiders forced a fourth down, only for Clelin Ferrell to be called for offsides on the punt formation, allowing the drive to continue, which ended in a Cam Akers touchdown run.
This is now the Raiders’ fourth loss this season in which they led by double-figures in the second half. With more discipline and less of those self-inflicted wounds, the Raiders would be a team in the heart of the playoff race in the AFC, but instead, they must sit back and reflect on what could have been.
