For lack of better words, the Raiders were bullied by a physical Washington Commanders team, resulting in a 41-24 defeat.
The Commanders got off to an explosive start, as their playmaking receiver Deebo Samuel Jr. recorded a 69-yard kick return, already placing their offense in scoring position.
Washington followed up with five straight rushes that ended in quarterback Marcus Mariota rushing into the end zone for two yards.
On the Raiders' first drive of the game, they also found early success with a 45-yard catch and run by Jakobi Meyers off a play action pass from Geno Smith. However, two run stops and a incomplete pass to Brock Bowers forced a Daniel Carlson 37-yard field goal.
Mariota continued using his legs with what could've been a huge chunk play on a read option. However, defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV hustled down the field to punch the ball out of the quarterback's hands. Booker's college teammate, Kyu Blu Kelly picked up the fumble recovery at the Raiders 24-yard line.
While the fumble prevented the Commanders from putting more points on the board, the offense couldn't capitalize on the momentum from the turnover as Washington forced a three-and-out.
The Commanders took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter with a 45-yard field goal made by Matt Gay, serving as redemption for a missed field goal wide left in the first quarter.
The Raiders offense responded with their best drive of running the ball on the day. Ashton Jeanty picked up 34 yards on the ground, and the nine-play, 80-yard drive ended with Smith finding Tre Tucker wide open for a 10-yard touchdown pass, their second touchdown connection of the season. Jeanty finished the game with a career-high 63 rushing yards against Washington.
"Once we got going, I thought Ashton did a really good job with his opportunities," Pete Carroll said postgame. "He got a lot of carries today. It was a good ball game for him. It was tough and he played tough."
After tying the game at 10 points midway through the second quarter, things took an unfortunate turn for the Silver and Black.
The Commanders scored 24 unanswered points starting with a 60-yard rushing touchdown by Jeremy McNichols. It was an uncharacteristic play for the Raiders defense, which had seemingly cleaned up its tackling issues from the preseason. McNichols bounced off three defenders near the line of scrimmage, sprinting full speed ahead to the end zone. Gay would tack on a 56-yard field goal before the end of the half to take a 20-10 lead.
After a Raiders three-and-out to open the second half, Commanders receiver Jaylin Lane returned a punt 90 yards to the house for another score. Shortly after, Mariota found Terry McLaurin for a 56-yard connection that set up a one-yard touchdown rush for Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Washington held a commanding 34-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
"If you give up big plays, you're no good," stated Carroll. "We were no good today."
As time ticked down, the Raiders continued to lean on Tucker, who caught another two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. It was his first career game with three receiving touchdowns, and he finished as the game's leading pass catcher with eight receptions for 145 yards.
However in defeat, he was not able to enjoy his performance to the fullest.
"We did not play clean. We need to go back to the drawing board, fix some things," Tucker said on "Raiders Gameday." "The main thing is just staying together. We're only 1-2."
The glaring concerns from the Raiders' loss is their performance in the trenches and on special teams. They allowed 245 yards in kick and punt return yardage, as well as 201 rushing yards while Geno Smith was sacked five times by the Commanders.
"It's Week 3 in the NFL and we've got a long season ahead of us," Smith said. "It's never easy to lose a game, you want to win all of them but that's not the reality. The reality is that we're faced with a battle in front of us. As a quarterback, as a football player, I look forward to the challenges. We're embracing that as a team and as a locker room."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 37-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 37-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98), defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96), linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) makes a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with guard Alex Cappa (65) after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a PAT during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96), linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) goes for a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs into the end zone after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with tight end Ian Thomas (80) after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs after making a 61-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) goes for a 61-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) and cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
