For the first time in 2016, the Oakland Raiders tasted defeat in the regular season.
After an impressive road win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, the Silver and Black fell at home 35-28 to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in the team's home opener at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
After suffering their first loss of the season, the Raiders will have to regroup and rebound in a hurry. The Silver and Black now prepare to hit the road for back-to-back road trips, but before we officially begin looking ahead to the Tennessee Titans, let's look back at the playtime percentages from Sunday's loss, and see what we can learn from the numbers.
Offense
Austin Howard Steps In And Goes The Distance– After being unavailable for the team's Week 1 contest against the Saints, tackle Austin Howard stepped in at right tackle for the injured Menelik Watson, and played all 75 offensive snaps for the Raiders Sunday. With Howard in, the offensive line barely skipped a beat providing solid protection for quarterback Derek Carr all afternoon, as well as spring-boarding the run game for 155 yards.
Clive Walford Paces The Receivers– The dynamic tight end played 47 snaps (63%) in Sunday's loss to the Falcons, and was tied for the team lead with six receptions for 50 yards. Walford also found the end zone for the first time in 2016, hauling in an impressive 31-yard reception from Carr, and then proceeding to gallop in for the score.
Derek Carr Impressive Yet Again– Albeit it in a losing effort, Carr delivered his second-consecutive quality performance of the young 2016 season. The starting quarterback played every offensive snap, and finished the day 34 of 45 for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Through two games, the third-year quarterback has looked every bit the part of a Pro Bowl signal-caller, and while Sunday's game didn't go in the Raiders favor, Carr's performance was a positive takeaway.
Defense
Stacy McGee Brings Down Matt Ryan– The Raiders defense forced just one sack Sunday afternoon, and it belonged to defensive tackle Stacy McGee, as the physical lineman was able to take down quarterback Matt Ryan for a seven-yard loss on the first possession of the game. In total, McGee played 32 defensive snaps (50%), finishing the afternoon three tackles, the aforementioned sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit.
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David Amerson Forces A Turnover **– With the Falcons offense driving in the third quarter, Amerson ensured that Atlanta would not punctuate the drive with a touchdown, as he intercepted a pass in the end zone intended for tight end Jacob Tamme. In total, Amerson played 55 snaps (86%) before leaving the game due to injury, finishing the game with eight total tackles, three passes defensed, and one interception.
Reggie Nelson Leads The Team In Tackling– Reggie Nelson was one of just three defensive players – cornerback Sean Smith, and linebacker Malcolm Smith were the other two – to play all 64 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Falcons. When the game ended, Nelson's 12 tackles led the Silver and Black's defense against Atlanta.
