For the Raiders, 2016 seems like long ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Just two years after going 12-4 and going to the playoffs, the Raiders keep finding new depths. On Sunday, they traveled all the way to London to do what they’ve been doing all season here in the USA: lose. They fell to the Seattle Seahawks 27-3 to fall to 1-5 this season.
It was ugly all around, and it may be that many of the players the Raiders thought they’d be building around for a new era of silver and black pride (built on that 2016 season) will soon be gone – just as the hopes for the 2018 season have vanished.
With Khalil Mack already traded away before the season, reports are that head coach Jon Gruden may be interested now in trading away top wide receiver Amari Cooper – who was knocked out of Sunday’s game – and former No. 1 pick Karl Joseph, a safety.
And, it could happen soon, as the Raiders head into their bye week.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports also is reporting that quarterback Derek Carr – who with Mack and Cooper comprised the trio of draft picks that were to be the foundation of success – could also be on the trading block. Wrote La Canfora: “A growing number of GMs believe Gruden could entertain offers for Carr in 2019, and it appears the team will certainly be one of the busiest over the next couple of weeks, as the trade deadline looms on October 30.”
On Sunday in England the game’s outcome was never in doubt. Seattle had a 17-0 halftime lead and pushed it to 27-0 in the fourth quarter before Oakland finally scored on a 43-yard field goal by Matt McCrane. The Raiders were outgained 369-185, turned the ball over twice, rushed for just 79 yards and converted just 4-of-12 third-down plays, while also allowing Carr to be sacked six times.
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Carr was 23-of-31 for 142 yards, but 11 of those completions went to running backs. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, meanwhile, was 17-of-23 for 222 yards for three TDs and an interception, and Seattle rushed for 155 yards against the Raiders defense.
The Raiders will return to play on Oct. 28 in Oakland against the Colts.
