LONDON – The Raiders' disastrous loss to the Miami Dolphins was as bad as it gets, but the impact was far greater with impressionable football fans east of the Atlantic Ocean looking for something to cheer for.
The Raiders gave their very worst in a game they had to win.
The errors were so egregious that picking just three will be tough enough as it is.
We’ll call it the not-so-greatest hits from a Sunday in England the Raiders would rather forget.
1) Defensive misalignment: The Dolphins put three receivers in a bunch early in the second quarter, with just Chimdi Chekwa to cover them all.
Usama Young offered late help, but the Raiders were still outnumbered. They were easy pickings too.
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill passed to Mike Wallace who ran 13 yards for a touchdown. That was clearly a mistake.
We’ll give the Raiders a mulligan.
But to get beat more than once by not lining up right to combat that formation is tough to accept.
“We were misaligned on a couple of those,” head coach Dennis Allen said.
[BAIR: Allen on his way out of town?]
2) Losing Carr: Ever the optimist, rookie quarterback Derek Carr believes he’ll be healthy enough to play the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 12.
That’s the next game after a bye, but a return might be difficult after suffering a sprained MCL and a high ankle sprain after falling awkwardly on his left leg.
He tried to stay in the game but couldn’t, and shockingly limped off the field with trainers coming to get him.
Carr was uneven on Sunday, but the Raiders are certainly better with him under center. Even a few games missed could hinder the Raiders’ chance to turn things around after losing four straight.
3. Can’t hold on: Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck made a terrific play near his goal line, forcing a fumble Charles Woodson recovered in the end zone.
It could’ve been the spark required to make the game competitive. The offense, however, gave it right back. Carr was intercepted three plays later, the first in a series of four drives that ended in turnovers.
