Raiders Carr Keeps on Rolling
Derek Carr raised the stakes towards playoffs! Raiders beat Bengals
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr looks to celebrate after scoring a touchdown of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
2019.11.17 – Derek Carr kept on rolling as he passed for 292 yards and a touchdown, Josh Jacobs had his fourth 100-yard game in the last six weeks, and the Oakland Raiders beat the stumbling Cincinnati Bengals 17-10 on Sunday.
No one saw it coming, there was no way for the Raiders (6-4) to look at their three-game homestand and think of a sweep. But Carr is rolling and for a team that survived six weeks without a home game, the chance to clean up at the Coliseum against the Lions, Chargers and Bengals was something they couldn’t ignore.
On a day when Raiders Coach Jon Gruden’s offense committed a pair of turnovers, including Jacobs’ first career fumble in the red zone, the Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s unit made all the difference.
Maxx Crosby had the best day by a Silver and Black pass rusher in nearly four years, and Trayvon Mullen kept Oakland’s defensive surge going with a game-clinching interception that ended any hopes that Cincinnati had of ending its win less start.
Carr was effective, outside of his one interception, he completed 25 of 29 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. He also had his second career rushing touchdown.
Jacobs ran for 112 yards on 23 carries, continuing his push for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The 24th overall pick in the draft, Jacobs has 616 yards in the last six games.
Heading into this more forgiving stretch, quarterback Carr looked at the schedule and realized the Raiders had an opportunity to raise the stakes on their season.
“We demanded that we won every one of those games here at home and we protected this place, because this is a special place,” he said Sunday. “And we did that.”
2019.11.17 – Raiders vs Bengals – Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2019 (Video)
2019.11.17 – Raiders vs Bengals – Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2019 (Video)
Oakland won its third straight game to move into a first-place tie with Kansas City in the AFC West. The Chiefs play the Chargers on Monday night in Mexico City.
“We came off one of the most incredible road trips ever in the history of the NFL, and we came back and we did what we had to do if we want to try to get in this thing,” coach Gruden said. “We’re competing hard and finding ways to win.”
The difference between now and earlier in the season is that Oakland is getting significant contributions from its defense.
Crosby had a team rookie-record four sacks as the Raiders harassed Bengals rookie quarterback Ryan Finley and shut down Cincinnati’s offense after Joe Mixon had given it a lift in the first half.
It was the most sacks in a single game by an Oakland player since Khalil Mack had five against Denver in December 2015. Mack was traded to Chicago before last season in exchange for two first-round picks.
“People are starting to see the talent that he does have,” Carr said of Crosby. “I haven’t been around that many sacks by one guy since Khalil had five. I’m glad that he’s not chasing after me, that’s for sure.”
Crosby, a fourth-round draft pick, had a sack and forced fumble to end Cincinnati’s first drive, dropped Finley again in the third quarter and then sacked him twice in the fourth.
“I had a good game, but it was a collective unit coming together,” Crosby said. “We rushed well all day. I just tried to mix it up all game and keep him on his toes, and it worked out.”
PLAYOFFS ON SIGHT
Sunday’s win over the Bengals wasn’t a dazzling display of dominance that has the league picturing a deep playoff run. But it doesn’t matter. Stacking wins is all that matters and suddenly the Raiders are 6-4 and could actually take over sole possession of first place if the Chargers can beat the Chiefs on Monday night.
“We’re able to find ways to win,” Gruden said after another celebratory trip to the Black Hole. “There’s an old saying around here, ‘Just win, baby.’ We’ve fought our hearts out to put ourselves in a 6-4 position. That doesn’t mean anything. We’ve got a lot of respect for the Jets and a lot of work to do.”
If the Raiders can extend their winning streak to four next week on the road against the Jets, they’ll be no worse than tied for first place with the Chiefs as they head to Arrowhead on Dec. 1. And that’ll ensure that this November run will keep the Raiders a contender into December. And the atmosphere for the final two scheduled games at the Coliseum against the Titans (Dec. 8) and Jaguars (Dec. 15) will be electric.
“I am definitely surprised,” guard Richie Incognito said. “When I first got here, I was looking around and I knew the team was going up, I just didn’t realize it was going this fast.
“We’ve got a great mix of young and old guys. Maxx Crosby today coming up with four sacks, Clelin Ferrell flashing. The whole defense is playing well. It’s exciting. To be in the playoff hunt and play games that matter in November and December, that makes this very exciting. I’m excited to be a part of this team.”
The Raiders weren’t expected to be in playoff contention, but here they are. Perhaps they can continue to surprise.
“Now we have to go on the road again, but when we get back home, hopefully there’s still some things that we need to be playing for,” Carr said. “I hope that our fans are excited when we come back, but I hope they also make a couple trips with us and turn some of those stadiums into Silver and Black.”
ANOTHER RECORD FOR JACOBS
Jacobs’ four 100-yard games broke Marcus Allen’s 37-year-old team rookie record. Jacobs had already surpassed the record for most rushing yards by a Raiders rookie.
INJURIES
In addition to the scary injury to Auden Tate, Cincinnati lost cornerback William Jackson and defensive end Carlos Dunlap to injuries in the fourth.
RELATED: Derek Carr Clutch Again! Raiders beat Chargers
UP NEXT
Bengals: Host the Steelers next Sunday. Pittsburgh easily won the AFC North rivals’ earlier meeting.
Raiders: At the New York Jets next Sunday, the first of two straight road games for Oakland.
Read more at: Oakland Raiders Media Services / More AP NFL: www.apnews.com/tag/NFL
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