The Raiders fell 20-17 to the Cowboys on a national audience, the playoffs now all but out of reach
The Oakland Raiders had a lackluster offensive showing in the first half coupled with a game full of controversial rulings from the referees. They ultimately lost on a Derek Carr fumble out of the end zone effectively ending the game.
The first two quarters were a microcosm of what this offense has been relegated to under the control of offensive coordinator Todd Downing. The Cowboys finished the first quarter with nearly 150 yards, while the Raiders boasted merely seven yards. In the second quarter, Oakland had multiple missed opportunities with an offensive pass interference call that negated a would-be touchdown, only to see kicker Giorgio Tavecchio follow it up with a missed 39-yard field goal.
The second half picked up right where the first had ended, with an Oakland touchdown being nullified by a penalty. This time around it was on a holding call that brought back a Cordarelle Paterson 100-yard kickoff return. The Raiders kept their composure on the drive, however, and the drive culminated on a Michael Crabtree two-yard touchdown catch. Prior to the Raiders tying the game up at 10 apiece, for the third time they had a touchdown called back as cornerback Sean Smith’s pick-six was called back as he was ruled down by contact after intercepting Dak Prescott of the Cowboys.
After a back and forth affair Dallas’ Dan Bailey hit what would be the go-ahead field goal giving the Cowboys a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. Carr then orchestrated a drive that got the Raiders within striking distance, but a fumble through the end-zone resulted in a game-deciding turnover.
The loss essentially ends any realistic shot at the postseason for an Oakland team that came into the year with Super Bowl aspirations.
Next week the team will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles for a Monday Night contest on Christmas day.
