Oakland Raiders: Notes and Observations From Week Four

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck (91) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders rolled into the Windy City and did what they could least afford to do – lose the game. They let a prime opportunity to keep pace with the still undefeated Denver Broncos go by the boards with an uninspired effort against the Bears. Rather than heading into their matchup with Denver this coming Sunday with a 3-1 mark and a chance at a share of first place in the AFC West – a lofty perch the Raiders haven’t seen in a very long time – Oakland enters the contest at 2-2 and fighting to keep their heads above .500.

In the wake of the 22-20 defeat, a lot of people have been quick to point the fingers at HC Jack Del Rio and OC Bill Musgrave for their seemingly conservative play calling. But let’s be frank about it, there is plenty of blame to go around.

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Had Clive Walford not missed that critical block on Pernell McPhee which stuffed Roy Helu and prevented him from getting that first down late in the fourth quarter, we’re likely not having this sort of circular firing squad.

But it goes well beyond that one play in crunch time. Had this happened or that happened, had Oakland made this one play, or prevented Chicago from making that play, Monday morning would have looked much different in Oakland.

Make no mistake about it, this was a total team loss primarily because the players did not execute. Oakland played a sloppy, ragged, inconsistent, and in the end, uninspired game against the Bears. And they paid a big price for it.

In today’s media culture though, there must be reasons and people must be held accountable. So let’s take a look at some notes and observations from the debacle against Chicago.

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