This season has been an ongoing series of embarrassments for the Las Vegas Raiders, and yesterday’s 31-0 shutout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was no exception.
It was the second time the Raiders have been shutout this season, and according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN, the last time the Raiders were shut out in multiple games was back in 2006, when they were shutout three times. Given the emphasis on offense in today’s game, this stat becomes even more damning.
Yesterday’s loss also marked the eighth time the Raiders have dropped a double-digit game, and the current eight-game losing streak is the longest of Pete Carroll’s coaching career.
McFadden was also the latest expert to offer the opinion that’s becoming increasingly obvious, which is that the Raiders are far from competitive, and they need to embrace a true rebuild. It’s painful to say and watch given what Carroll has achieved in his coaching career, but he’s 74, and according to McFadden he might not be the right coach to lead the team moving forward.
The only questionable part that last statement is the word “might.” Carroll has been existing in an alternate reality for the last month or so, insisting that a turnaround is imminent and the Raiders are capable of winning games.
This perspective is becoming borderline delusional to anyone watching the product on the field. Yesterday’s big change was starting backup quarterback Kenny Pickett with Geno Smith out with what’s being reported as a shoulder injury, but the results were just more of the same.
Pickett is more mobile, but it didn’t matter much. The Eagles’ strength is their offensive and defensive lines, and yesterday Philly’s defensive front made it nearly impossible for Pickett to function. He ended up throwing for just 64 yards while completing 15 of 25 passes to go with an interception, and the Raiders posted just 72 yards of total offense for the game.
But the stats only tell part of the story. This game was over right after the Eagles took the opening kickoff and drove for a touchdown. The Raiders managed a couple of first downs before a sack ended the brief "drive" that followed, but the rest of the game was basically an Eagles highlight reel.
The only question left is when owner Mark Davis finally surfaces to either comment or do something about this. The Raiders might be competitive against the New York Giants in Week 17, but other than that this is a lost season that points to an inevitable rebuild.