The Raiders' 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has an awfully bitter taste to it considering the first-half success from the defense.
After going down 14-0 to start the game, the Silver and Black responded with three turnovers in the second quarter. It was their first game producing multiple turnovers this season.
"I thought it was really good, especially early, against a really good quarterback," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said. "Was able to get the ball off of him. First forced fumble and fumble recovery for us and guys really just attacking the ball especially when we were down. We needed those plays to get us back in the game and I thought they stepped up."
One of the three takeaways was the Raiders/ first fumble recovery of the year, with Tre’von Moehrig being in the right place to reap the benefits of Amari Burney knocking the ball out. The Silver and Black scored their first and only touchdown of the game following the fumble.
"It was a big time play by him, I was just able to capitalize on his big play," Moehrig said of recovering Burney's forced fumble. "We can get the ball, we're all ballhawks and they come in bunches."
Moehrig had a day pacing the Raiders defense with eight total tackles, three passes defensed and half a sack on top of the fumble recovery. The safety is just the second player in the NFL this season (Carlton Davis) to record three-plus passes defensed and a defensive fumble recovery in the same game.
The other two turnovers notched were interceptions from defensive lineman K'Lavon Chaisson near the line of scrimmage and Jack Jones while the Buccaneers were in the red zone. Chaisson's interception came after picking up 1.5 sacks in Week 13 while it was Jones' second interception this season.
"Just ball hunting, everybody doing their job," Jones said. "When everybody [does] their job, we can force turnovers. We got playmakers on the defense so I think that's what it comes down to – doing our job."
However, momentum slowed for the Raiders offense in the second half.
Brock Bowers, routinely a man of few words, let his frustration be known even after breaking another NFL record.
The tight end came down with his third reception on the day in the waning moments of the contest, thus breaking the NFL single-season record for most receptions by a tight end in his rookie season.
He recognized the record was a feat he's proud now to hold, but after suffering his ninth consecutive loss this season, he admits that the individual milestones would "be cooler with more wins."
"We can't get used to this," Bowers said postgame. "That's just nothing something to get used to. Just coming in and being like, 'Oh man, this again' We can't get used to that. We've just got to keep trying to grind and figure out what works."
Injuries have seemed to mount for the Raiders all year, and today another piled on. Aidan O'Connell exited the game late in the third quarter and was immediately ruled out of the game with a knee injury.
Along with O'Connell out, the defense couldn't keep its feet on the gas – allowing two touchdowns in the final quarter of action.
The Silver and Black have four games left this season to put it all together, hoping to close out on a high note.
"Appreciate the effort, the grit, the fight," Pierce said. "Listen, it's tough and these guys, they're not flinching. … They still believe. Again, got the ball right down there at the end of the game. ... These guys compete their asses off. Nobody wants to get off the field."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 25-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) and running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) and guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) and defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) and running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ramel Keyton (82) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 27-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
