WR Andre Holmes takes a QB Derek Carr pass 77 yards for the TD in the first quarter. Photo by Tony Gonzales
The Raiders came up three points short this afternoon at O.co Coliseum, but the Silver and Black were able to put together their best offensive effort of the year, tallying 396 yards of total offense against the San Diego defense.
Rookie QB Derek Carr threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns, including four passes for 121 yards and two scores to third-year WR Andre Holmes.
The big receiving day for Holmes was the second most productive of his career, just behind his breakout performance in Dallas last year where he hauled in seven catches for 136 yards.
"A few times there were opportunities to make plays," said Holmes. "I was able to get open and Derek [Carr] threw it to me and I was able to make it."
The Hillsdale College product started the scoring early for the Silver and Black, as he took the third play from scrimmage 77 yards on a pass from Carr for an early Raiders score.
"It was definitely perfect," he said when asked about Carr's pass that resulted in the early touchdown. "Right when I turned, it was right there. I was able to catch it in stride; I didn't have to try and jump up and try to make a play. It was a perfectly-thrown ball."
Carr and Holmes were able to connect in the end zone once again in the fourth quarter, and after the game, Holmes made sure to praise the effort of his rookie quarterback.
"If you look at how he's playing, he's improving every game," he said. "He's a very smart player. He's a hard worker and he's improving every game and that's what he's trying to do. He can be as good as he wants to be and I guarantee that he wants to be really good."
Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano echoed Holmes' words about Carr and the performance he delivered on Sunday afternoon.
"He [Carr] really, I thought, played well today," Coach Sparano said. "The kid is a competitive kid. He's just getting better and better and better."
Although the Raiders were unable to come away with the win, Holmes was encouraged by the offensive production the team was able to get against the Chargers.
"I just think that we were able to get open and Derek threw it to the right spots, Holmes said. "I wouldn't say that there was a change so much in our game plan or having different plays or anything, we were just able to execute today."
The Raiders will be back in their Alameda facility tomorrow to watch tape, and then will return to the practice field Wednesday afternoon.
