Raiders at Rams Quick Hits

Photo by Tony Gonzales

The Raiders fall to 1-11 with today's 52-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams, dropping the team to 0-6 on the road this season. Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano now owns a 1-7 record in his current position and a 30-39 (.435) mark as an NFL head coach. 

The loss brings the Raiders' all-time record against the Rams to 8-5 (.615) and 0-2 in St. Louis. Oakland is now 0-3 against NFC West opposition with the team's final test coming next Sunday at home against San Francisco.

The Raiders' defense continued to show improvement on third down, holding the Rams to just 4-of-18 (22.2%) on third down in the game, including six three-and-outs in the second half and four straight after the intermission.  

The defense is 10-of-47 (21.3%) on third down over the last three games, marking the best three-game stretch since the Raiders allowed nine first downs from Weeks 15-17 in 2012.

Individual Notes: Offense

T Donald Penn started his 120th consecutive game at tackle, the second-longest streak at his position and the third longest among all offensive lineman. 

QB Derek Carr finished the contest 24-of-39 passing (61.5%) for 173 yards with two interceptions. Carr passes Vince Evans (240) for the 15th most completions in franchise history.

WR James Jones hauled in six passes for 33 yards (5.5 avg.), giving him at least two receptions and 15 yards in every game this season (one of 25 players in NFL entering Week 13).  

Jones entered the game fourth in the NFL in third-down receptions (22-198) and added another five catches for 27 yards on third down.

RB Darren McFadden finished with two receptions for 18 yards (9.0 avg.), passing Hewritt Dixon (1,750) for the fourth-most receiving yards by a running back in franchise history.

McFadden also moved ahead of Napoleon Kaufman (5,899) for the seventh-most yards from scrimmage in Raiders history, totaling 45 yards of offense (27 rushing, 18 receiving).

RB Maurice Jones-Drew posted five carries for 21 yards (4.2 avg.), establishing his presence early with a season-long 13-yard run and a nine-yard gain through the air in the second quarter.

FB Marcel Reece's second reception pushed him ahead of Charlie Smith (1,596) for the sixth-most receiving yards among Raider running backs. Reece finished with six catches and a team-leading 48 receiving yards, marking his first time leading the team since Nov. 18, 2012 vs. NO (90 yards).

Reece's six receptions push him ahead of Mark van Eeghen (162) for the seventh most receptions by a Raider running back.

QB Matt Schaub entered the game in the fourth quarter in relief of Carr, recording his first completion as a Raider to WR Andre Holmes for 16 yards.

G Gabe Jackson recorded the second reception of his career on a deflected screen pass in the second quarter. Jackson joins G Khalif Barnes (two – 2010) and G Bob Mischak (two – 1963) as the only offensive lineman in franchise history to catch multiple passes in a season.

Individual Notes: Defense

DE Justin Tuck finished with two tackles, both for losses, one sack for seven yards and one pass defensed, according to in-game press box statistics. Tuck picked up his third sack of the season on a third-and-long in the second quarter, bringing down Shaun Hill for a 7-yard loss.

Tuck now owns 63.5 career sacks and has a sack in three of four career games against the Rams (2.0 on 9/14/08 and 1.5 on 9/9/11).  

Tuck continued to disrupt passes at the line of scrimmage, patting down a Shaun Hill attempt in the third quarter for his fourth pass broken up this season. Along with an 8-yard takedown of Tre Mason on first down, Tuck's deflection forced the Rams' fourth straight three-and-out in the second half.

LB Sio Moore led the unit in tackles with seven (six solo), according to in-game press box statistics.

Individual Notes: Special Teams

P Marquette King, the NFL's leader in punts and punting yards, booted eight punts for 353 yards (44.1 avg.). King landed two punts inside the Rams' 20-yard line, increasing his season total to 24.

CB Chimdi Chewka was active on special teams, posting three special teams tackles, according to press box stats.