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Halftime Report: Raiders keep it close in Baltimore

Defense Keeps Things Close

The Raiders defense did not allow a single third down conversion on seven attempts last week. Today against the Ravens, their third-down defense traveled again. The Ravens finished the first half just 3-8 on third down.

Both teams' defenses have been stout in the game, with the Raiders trailing the Ravens, 9-6.

After Lamar Jackson totaled 122 yards on 16 carries against Kansas City in Week 1, the Raiders defense held him to just 11 yards on two runs.

Crosby Continues to Climb

Maxx Crosby has been getting after it. On the Raiders' fourth defensive snap of the game, Crosby took down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for a six-yard loss.

Crosby now owns 54.0 career sacks, passing Bill Pickel (53.0) for sole possession of fourth on the Raiders' all-time sacks list.

That was just the start of a dominant first half for the sixth-year defensive end. He finished the first 30 minutes of play with 1.0 sack, three tackles for loss and a pass deflection.

Bowers Makes History and Carlson Bounces Back

Rookie tight end Brock Bowers tallied three catches for 16 yards in the first half.

It brings his season total to nine receptions, the most by a Raiders rookie tight end in his first two NFL games. The only Raiders rookie with more catches in his first two career games is wide receiver Amari Cooper (12 in 2015).

After converting one of his two kicks in Week 1, Carlson connected on a 51-yard attempt and a 53-yard attempt in the first half to keep the Raiders within a score heading into halftime.

Offense Starts Slow

The Raiders offense totaled just eight yards over their first three drives of the game but got things going on their first possession of the second quarter. The eight-play, 37-yard drive featured four completions from Gardner Minshew II to Brock Bowers, Davante Adams and Michael Mayer.

But after the flurry of quick gains through the air, the offense couldn't keep the momentum going. A run on third-and-three resulted in a three-yard loss and forced the offense to settle for a 53-yard field goal from Carlson.

After the defense held the Ravens for another field goal, the offense got great starting field position at the Raiders 47-yard line but couldn't capitalize. On the second play of the drive, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey reeled in an interception to take the ball away again.

Outside of the interception, Minshew (14-of-16) threw just one other incomplete pass.

View photos from the Raiders' Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

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