NFL Overreactions Week 8: Raiders, Jets Worse Teams

NFL Overreactions Week 8: Raiders, Jets Established As Worst Teams

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) is congratulated by teammate Larry Fitzgerald after catching a fourth quarter touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) causes Oakland Raiders running back Kory Sheets (30) to fumble during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns beat the Raiders 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders continue pace for NFL’s first winless season since 2008

Here’s some words we’ve been reading all season: the Oakland Raiders lose …again.

Oakland’s 13^th consecutive loss came at the Cleveland Browns, 23-13 on Sunday as they went without a touchdown until the last seven seconds of the game. That’s right folks, all Oakland could muster up on offense was a pair of field goals and a 10-yard touchdown pass by rookie Derek Carr to receiver Andre Holmes.

If it counts for anything, the Raiders outgained the Browns offense 387 yards to 306 with Carr throwing for 328 yards on the day. But Oakland was only able to get into the Browns 20-yard line once all game, on the Raiders final drive. Oakland also committed three turnovers on the day, one of which coming on special teams as quarterback Matt Schaub was picked off by Cleveland’s Tashaun Gipson on a fake field goal.

Another turnover came on a Darren McFadden fumble, when McFadden was hit by safety Donte Whitner, knocking the ball loose and straight into the hands of corner Joe Haden who returned it to the Browns 47-yard line.

“Any time you come on the road and turn it over three times, you’re not going to win anywhere, whether it’s home or away,” Sparano said. “For a long time, we were involved in this game. It was another close game right up to that last score. We just have to learn how to tug that rope a little tighter in those situations, and we’re not there yet.”

While all signs point to the Raiders actually going winless, the Raiders showed signs of life on Sunday. The Raiders defense shut down the Browns’ fifth-ranked running game, holding Cleveland to just 39 yards rushing, and improved their third-down conversion rate, holding Cleveland to just 2-for-12 on third down.

With just one opponent under .500 remaining on the schedule (Rams, Nov. 30), it is a realistic possibility that the Raiders do in fact finish 0-16, the same year that general manager Reggie McKenzie spends the money to bring in free agent after free agent.

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