| Raiders QB Carson Palmer had a big day Sunday, but Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin had a bigger day, resulting in a 42-32 Bucs win. (US Presswire) |
After winning back-to-back games and climbing out of an early 1-4 hole, the Raiders took a huge step backward Sunday, losing 42-32 to Tampa Bay and falling to 3-5, two games behind Denver in the AFC West. Bucs rookie running back Doug Martin embarrassed the Raiders' defense, rushing for a Tampa Bay franchise record 251 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries. Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer passed for 414 yards and four touchdowns, and he led an impressive fourth-quarter comeback after the Raiders fell behind 28-10, but the rally died with one of his three interceptions.
Offense: B-
The Raiders racked up 424 yards of total offense -- all but 22 through the air -- and scored 32 points, despite losing RB Darren McFadden to an ankle injury midway through the second quarter and all but abandoning the run after falling behind in the third. On most Sunday's that should be more than enough to win. Palmer rallied the Raiders from 18 points down in the third quarter to within 35-32 with 3:51 to play. Palmer, though, was intercepted three times, including a killer pick while the Raiders were driving for the potential tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown. TE Brandon Myers caught a career-high eight passes for 59 yards and his first two career TDs, and FB Marcel Reece caught eight passes for 95 yards -- both career highs -- and one touchdown. Previous game’s grade: C+
Defense: F
It's hard to describe just how bad the Raiders' run defense was Sunday in the second half. That's when Martin rushed for 220 of his franchise record 251 yards and all four of his touchdowns. He gashed the Raiders for TD runs of 45, 60 and 70 yards before capping the Bucs' scoring with a 1-yard touchdown. LBs Rolando McClain and Miles Burris had a rough day against Martin, as did CB Pat Lee, who missed a tackle on Martin's 67-yarder. Safeties Matt Giordano and Tyron Branch -- the last line of defense -- were no help, either. After making strides at cornerback, Michael Huff took a big step backward, giving up a pair of Josh Freeman touchdown passes and a 64-yard pass to Vincent Jackson. Previous game’s grade: B+
Special teams: C+
The Raiders' special teams produced a big play early in the first quarter when DE Lamarr Houston blocked a Bucs field-goal attempt and returned it 34 yards, setting up Sebastian Janikowksi's 29-yard field goal. Punter Shane Lechler had a bounce-back game, averaging 54.5 yards with a net of 43.0 on four punts. Janikowski made his only field-goal attempt. The Raiders coverage teams allowed a 34-yard kick return and a 26-yard punt return but no game-changers. On the flip side, the Raiders return men did nothing of note. Previous game’s grade: B
Coaching: D
Defensive coordinator Jason Tarver and coach Dennis Allen -- a former D-coordinator -- have plenty of blame to share for the Raiders' defensive meltdown in the second half when Martin ran wild. No, they can't make the tackles, but they needed to do something, anything, to stop the onslaught. Once again, the Raiders were killed in the third quarter, this time by the count of 21-0. For the season, they've been outscored 88-24 in the third quarter. Maybe the Raiders should stay on the field during halftime. Trailing just 35-32 with 2:42 left to play, the Raiders got the ball at their own 38. Instead of working their way downfield, the Raiders got too greedy. Palmer threw incomplete to Rod Streator on a deep strike, then was intercepted on a 15-yard throw for Denarius Moore -- an obvious communication breakdown. Previous game’s grade: B
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.