Raiders Blow Early Lead In Loss To Redskins

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders looked to get back to .500 with a win over the struggling Washington Redskins on Sunday, Sept. 29, when they jumped out to an early 14-0 lead behind a blocked punt touchdown and Matt Flynn’s first touchdown pass of the year, an 18-yard pass to rookie tight end Mychal Rivera in the first quarter.

TOD FIERNER / Courtesy
Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn only managed one touchdown in his first start with the Raiders this  season on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 against the Washington Redskins.

But it was all down hill for the Raiders after the early lead, as the Raiders gave up 24 unanswered points falling to 1-3 on the season and now just 1-1 at home.

"What we did when we were down 14-0, and that's what we've got to do the rest of the season," said Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

TOD FIERNER / Courtesy
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III helped his team to their first win on the 2013 season on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 over the Oakland Raiders.

For the silver and black, missing quarterback Terrelle Pryor was just the tip of the injury plagued iceberg for the Raiders, who would also be without the services of starting running back and full back Darren McFadden and Marcell Reece, who both left the game before the half, McFadden on the first offensive play from scrimmage with an apparent hamstring injury.

Without their best offensive weapons, and an offensive line that has been struggling, Flynn did not look at ease in the pocket, which collapsed on him several times as he was sacked seven-times in the game.

"I didn't think I wasn't seeing the field well,” said Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn.

"We needed that so bad," said Redskins defensive lineman Ryan Kerrigan. "It really feels good. Seven was kind of the magic number today - we give up only seven points, we have seven sacks, scored seven points on defense. Great feeling right now."

McFadden’s backup, Rashad Jennings, quietly came in and put up 45-yards on 15 carries, but it was masked, as the Raiders were not able to get back into the game, which saw them drop to a previously 0-3 team.

"That one hurt, said Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen. "I felt the way we were able to start out the game, getting to 14-0, but then we let them back in the game. Give them credit, they continued to fight. But we didn't do enough to win the football game.”

If Pryor is hurt again come Sunday when the Raiders host the divisional rival San Diego Chargers, Flynn might not get a chance at quarterback with Matt McGloin already being named in conversations for starting quarterback, should Pryor be out for any amount of time.

Bay Area and San Ramon Valley High School product Roy Helu Jr. rushed for his first touchdown of the season, a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter giving the Redskins their second win on the road, after being down 14 points in the first quarter since 1991.

The Raiders next game comes on Sunday, Oct. 6, against the San Diego Chargers. The game is at the O.Co Coliseum. Kick off is TBA.