Gruden: Raiders’ Loss to Falcons ‘Inexcusable’
After shifting ahead for a number of weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders have taken two steps again, and this was a giant one.
Matt Ryan threw two landing passes and Younghoe Koo kicked 5 discipline objectives because the Atlanta Falcons rolled to a 43-6 victory over the lackluster Raiders on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This appeared nothing just like the Silver and Black crew that nearly beat the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for the second time this season final week at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas earlier than dropping within the ultimate minute.
“After we get hit within the mouth and get stopped on fourth down, after which fumble on the following play, we’ve received to get off the mat and battle again higher,” Raiders Coach Jon Gruden informed reporters after the sport. “As a training employees and a soccer crew, that’s one thing we’ve got to take a look at. It’s a mirrored image on me and I apologize to Raider followers.
“Praise the Atlanta Falcons. They performed a hell of a soccer recreation, and we didn’t.”
The specter of final season immediately looms for the Raiders (6-5), who additionally have been 6-4 earlier than dropping 5 of their final six video games and lacking the 2019 playoffs.
Turnovers have been the story of this one, along with the Raiders being unable to take advantage of the supposedly leaky Falcons secondary, as Derek Carr misplaced three fumbles within the pocket and threw a 67-yard pick-six to linebacker Deion Jones whereas working again Josh Jacobs misplaced one other fumble.
“We had an important rush which made him throw a foul ball,” Jones stated. “It was behind the working again. I secured it. As soon as I received within the clear and put the ball up, I knew it was going residence.
“As a protection, as a crew, we put all of it collectively. We performed effectively collectively. We lastly put one on movie. We’ve received one to take a look at to develop from.
“(The 5 turnovers) was simply us looking the ball. We hadn’t had a ball in a few weeks. Guys have been hungry for it this week. We talked about it and it got here to life.”
The Falcons (4-7) scored 20 factors off the turnovers, together with an eight-yard scoring run by Ito Smith for the final landing with 10:48 left within the recreation after Carr’s ultimate fumble.
Coach Dan Quinn was fired by the Falcons after a 0-5 begin, however Atlanta has received 4 of its final six video games underneath interim head coach Raheem Morris, who was an assistant underneath Gruden a number of years in the past with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ryan, who appears destined for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, accomplished 22-of-39 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, throwing four-yard scoring passes to broad receivers Calvin Ridley and Brandon Powell.
That places Ryan at 174 landing passes in his 13-year profession.
“(Protection) was the story of the day,” Ryan stated. “I believed our protection performed extraordinarily effectively. Gave us numerous quick discipline alternatives. All in all, it was an important crew effort.”
Smith had 65 yards dashing on 12 carries and Brian Hill added 55 on 13 rushes because the Falcons managed the ball for 34 minutes, 27 seconds.
Ridley had six catches for 50 yards and the landing on fourth down, whereas Hayden Hurst caught 4 balls for 48 yards because the Falcons dominated the Raiders with out two of their greatest gamers—broad receiver Julio Jones and working again Todd Gurley.
“I believed it was big and an important name by Raheem (on fourth down), an aggressive name to go for it in that scenario,” Ryan stated. “You’re going to depart them backed up should you don’t get it. We felt like we had a great play referred to as there.
“It took slightly time to develop. Nice physique management by Calvin at the back of the tip zone to sort of cease earlier than he was going to get hit. It was an superior play by him.”
Though the uncooked numbers don’t essentially present it, Carr had in all probability his worst recreation of the season whereas finishing 22-of-34 passes for 215 yards with no landing and throwing his third interception of the season. His three misplaced fumbles gave him six this season.
Carr was changed by Nathan Peterman with 10:48 left within the recreation.
“Very irritating,” stated Carr, who stated he noticed some dangerous indicators in the course of the week. “Our week of observe was lower than the usual that we’ve got set.”
Jacobs led the Raiders with 27 yards on seven carries, however 17 got here on the play on which he fumbled late within the third quarter and he left the sport due to a proper leg harm he sustained on the play.
Hunter Renfrow led the Raiders with seven receptions for 73 yards, whereas Nelson Agholor had 5 for 54 and Henry Ruggs caught 5 for 54. The Falcons restricted tight finish Darren Waller, Carr’s favourite receiver, to 4 receptions for 23 yards.
“We’ve an opportunity to go on the market and battle and actually have that chance to go get higher subsequent week,” Renfrow stated. “And I believe it’s a great alternative to enter (New York), they sort of derailed our season final yr, and so what a chance for us to have the ability to go there and go get some redemption, per se.”
Linebacker Nicholas Morrow and security Jeff Heath each had 10 whole tackles for the Raiders, whereas linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski had six tackles, two for losses, and the Raiders’ solely sack along with having an interception nullified by a penalty.
The Raiders additionally have been penalized 11 occasions for 141 yards.
“We’ve had a few video games the place we’ve got been penalized,” Gruden stated. “Roughing the passer, roughing the kicker, we had some holding calls, unlawful fingers to the face. You fall behind within the down of distance, you give groups free pictures, it’s a recipe for catastrophe and that’s what you noticed at present.”
The Raiders twice had first-and-goal contained in the Atlanta 5-yard-line however needed to accept their solely factors on discipline objectives of 24 and 29 yards by Daniel Carlson.
Koo’s discipline objectives got here from 38, 39, 40, 29, and 54 yards, and he has made his final 21 with no miss. Koo really did miss broad left from 40 yards with 4:30 left within the first half, however Dallin Levitt of the Raiders was penalized for roughing the kicker.
The Falcons, who by no means trailed, turned that break into Ryan’s four-yard scoring go to Ridley for a 13-3 lead with 2:17 left within the half.
Nevertheless, the crusher got here when Carr threw a brief go over the center supposed for working again Devonte Booker, solely to have Jones reduce in entrance for the interception he took all the best way to the home for a 23-3 lead with 11:36 left within the third quarter.
The Raiders tried to rally however may handle solely three extra factors, and issues solely received worse.
The Raiders will attempt to bounce again and break their two-game dropping streak subsequent Sunday in opposition to the hapless New York Jets (0-11) at MetLife Stadium on the Meadowlands Sports activities Complicated in East Rutherford, N.J.
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