The Raiders have struggled to generate enough offense to win games this season. Coming into a week three matchup with the Tennessee Titans, Vegas was 0-2 but both losses were within one possession. Both of their losses have come in relatively low-scoring games. In week one the Raiders scored only 19 points against the Chargers, and in week two they scored 23 in an overtime loss to the Cardinals.
The Raiders’ offense was supposed to be the strong suit of the team this year with the addition of Davante Adams and other playmakers returning healthy for 2022. This week’s game against the Titans would be a chance for the offense to hit its stride. The Tennessee defense was coming off a game against the Buffalo Bills in which they gave up 41 points. The opportunity was there for the Raiders to put some points on the board and pick up a much-needed win.
First half
Not only did the Raiders start off the game strong on offense, but the Titans did as well. Tennessee scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game, including on the opening drive. The Titans marched 75 yards on 12 plays, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill to Geoff Swaim.
The Raiders would respond with a 21-yard field goal from kicker Daniel Carlson after being stopped in the red zone. Tennessee followed with a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Derrick Henry for the 14-3 lead.
Vegas would then put together their own 75-yard touchdown drive, with the score coming from a 5-yard pass to Davante Adams from Derek Carr.
The Raiders’ defense would once again struggle to stop the Titans on their ensuing drive. Tennessee would score another touchdown, this one via a quarterback sneak from one yard out. The Titans added a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the half to make the score 24-10.
Second half
Las Vegas received the second-half kickoff and drove down the field 61 yards, nailing a 32-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 24-13.
After a high-scoring first half from the Titans, the Raiders’ defense would step up and not allow Tennessee to score again in the game.
The Titans’ opening possession of the half would come to a close after Vegas safety Duron Harmon would intercept Ryan Tannehill’s pass. This would be the only turnover that the Vegas defense would force on the day. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they would not be able to capitalize on the turnover, going three and out on their following possession.
With the Raiders trailing 24-13, they would need their offense to get going again after only having one touchdown on the day so far.
Instead, the struggles would continue for the offense as quarterback Derek Carr was intercepted in the red zone by Kevin Byard with 9:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. This would hold the Raiders back from gaining any points after a solid drive. Fortunately for the offense, the defense would step up and get Vegas the ball back quickly.
The Raiders would add points on their next drive but only three of them via a 35-yard field goal. Now trailing 24-16, Las Vegas would need a quick stop from their defense to give the offense a chance to tie things up with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The defense played their part as they forced Tennessee into a three and out on their next drive. Vegas would get the ball back with just under three minutes remaining.
Comeback attempt comes up short
The offense drove the ball down the field 81 yards and scored a touchdown on fourth and goal from the 9-yard line. The scoring play came from Derek Carr throwing a heavily contested pass to Mack Hollins, who reeled it in with 1:14 remaining in the game. With the Raiders now being down two points, they would need the two-point conversion to tie things up. Derek Carr attempted to squeeze in a pass to Darren Waller but the ball was tipped and the conversion was unsuccessful.
Vegas was out of timeouts, so the only option remaining was to attempt an onside kick, but the Raiders could not recover it. The Titans were then able to take two kneel downs and close the game, hanging on for the 24-22 win.
Final thoughts
Vegas was not able to take advantage of a Tennessee defense that was demolished by Buffalo last week but instead continued to not be as explosive as advertised. The defense stepped up in the second half of this game, not allowing the Titans to score and giving the team a chance to make a comeback effort.
The comeback would fall short though, resulting in another one-possession loss for the Raiders. The team is now 0-3 and with the AFC being very competitive this year it will likely be very hard for the Raiders to make the playoffs. This has been a very disappointing start to the season for this Vegas team who made the playoffs last year and appeared to be poised to have a possibly even better 2022 season.
The Raiders will have another chance to pick up their first win of the season next Sunday as they host division rival Denver.
Up next
The Raiders host the Denver Broncos Sunday, Oct. 2. The game will kick off at 2:25 p.m. MT and can be seen on CBS.
