Raiders lost to Steelers because of missed opportunities and miscues
PITTSBURGH (AP) — No miracle ending this time. Las Vegas Raiders will get even more.
New England won the game on Sunday with one of the most unbelievable walk-off touchdowns ever recorded in NFL history. The Raiders didn’t manage to keep up the momentum and lost 13-10 to the Steelers Saturday night. This loss effectively knocked them out of the playoffs.
Las Vegas led for over 50 minutes, but gave way down the stretch against the emotionally charged Steelers (7-8). Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh’s rookie quarterback, drove 76 yards in 10 plays. The last 14 of those plays were on a strike to George Pickens, a rookie wide receiver with 46 seconds left.
When Derek Carr threw his third and final interception — a floater that Pittsburgh’s Cam Sutton corralled with 29 seconds left — all the good mojo the Raiders had built while winning four of five to get back into the fringe of the postseason race had vanished.
It will be done by turning it over three more times, committing a few costly penalties, and not being able to take advantage Pittsburgh’s inexperienced offense.
The game was close until the very end, following a pattern that became second nature to Las Vegas under Josh McDaniels’ inept first season. The Raiders’ defense kept Pittsburgh out of the endzone for the first 59 minutes. Maybe it shouldn’t have.
“We’ve pulled out plenty and then to lose in this fashion when you have a shot to win, you realize you’re close but close doesn’t really count in this league,” said McDaniels, whose team has played in 12 one-score games so far. “I obviously have to do a better job to try and close the gap.”
Carr wasn’t blamed for his performance in frigid 8-degree weather (minus-13 Celcius), and he didn’t look cold on an opening drive that he ended with a 14 yard touchdown to Hunter Renfroe.
Las Vegas was unable to create any real breathing space due to its return to the same sloppy form it had during its 2-5 start. Carr had three interceptions in Pittsburgh territory. The Raiders allowed Pittsburgh to linger for too long, even after a 15-yard facemask by Foster Moreau, a tight end who brought back Josh Jacobs.
“We thought we were making strides in some areas and obviously we didn’t do that well enough today,” Carr said. “Just got to do what we were supposed to. Moving on… Tomorrow you’ve got to get ready for the next one. But this one stings.”
Because of its big picture meaning. Las Vegas is built for winning now. It will still miss the playoffs, barring some miracle, despite several splashy offseason moves like trading for Davante Adams, wide receiver.
Adams’ play was dynamic but only two catches of 15 yards were made by him on a night that Pittsburgh’s veteran defense had enough stops to make it stop for its young offense, which has no skill-position players older than 26.
“We’re talented, but talent doesn’t mean wins,” Carr said. “I’ve seen that firsthand in different years.”
The Las Vegas defense played well for most of the night, but lost defensive end Chandler Jones — whose unlikely walk-off lateral return last week against New England breathed life into the Raiders’ season — to an injury. Denzel Perryman, an inside linebacker, joined Jones on the sidelines late.
Pickett took control of the game in the last seconds, despite having two of their linchpins injured. His best throw was his last, a fastball over the middle to Pickens, who easily split defenders even though he’s Pittsburgh’s best — and sometimes only — downfield threat.
“When you turn the ball over and give the other team more opportunities than you have, good field position, it’s impossible to overcome,” McDaniels said.
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