The Las Vegas Raiders did the Philadelphia Eagles a solid today, helping the Eagles solve their offensive woes and get back on track as they shut out the Raiders, 31-0. The loss extended the Raiders losing streak to eight games, while Philly’s win ended a three-game losing streak.
This game featured more of the same bad football Raiders fans have been watching all season long, to the point where you can could make the argument that this game was over from the opening drive. The Eagles methodically marched down the field in a 13-play, 67-yard drive that ended with tight end Dallas Goedert catching the first of his two touchdown passes from four yards yard out from quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The Raiders countered with a couple of first downs, but a sack quickly ended that would-be drive, and it also effectively ended the Raiders day. The Eagles proceeded to drive the field again, but a Goedert drop on what would have been a sure touchdown pass from deep in Vegas territory forced Philadelphia to settle for a field goal.
The Raiders basically waved the white flag after that. The Philadelphia defense began to assert itself, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett found himself increasingly under siege throughout the day. He ended up being sacked four times for 35 yards, but that doesn’t really describe the level of duress Pickett was under.
Everything that mattered in the game after that came from the Philadelphia offense. Their second touchdown came on a two-yard run by running back Saquon Barkley, which made it 17-0 at halftime. Goedert got his redemption touchdown halfway through the third quarter on a six-yards strike from Hurts, and final touchdown came late in the fourth on a 27-yard touchdown pass as Hurts got his third of the day.
Philly’s stats weren’t gaudy, but they didn’t have to be. Hurts finished with a modest 175 yards for the day as he went 12-for 15, but those three TD passes spoke for themselves, especially after his struggles with turnovers in last week’s overtime loss against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Raiders’ stats were flat-out brutal. They gained just 72 yards on offense for the entire day, which was the fewest they’ve gained since their AFL days back in 1961 when they were back in Oakland. The only Raider who played well was defensive end Maxx Crosby, who registered a sack, along with a tackle for a loss that was his 26th of the season, surpassing former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s old record of 25.
The Raiders’ death march of a season continues next week when they visit the Houston Texans, and after that the New York Giants come to town in a game that represents a key battle for the top draft pick next year. The Eagles, meanwhile, went to 9-5, and they visit the Washington Commanders as they solidified their lead atop the NFC East.