Raiders winners and losers in demoralizing defeat vs. Rams

The Raiders gave their fans hope after three straight thrilling wins but on Thursday night against the Rams, that hope turned back into despair.

Las Vegas failed to put away an undermanned Rams team and in the end, Los Angeles drove 98 yards for the winning touchdown with just seconds to go. Quarterback Baker Mayfield led the way after joining the Rams two days before kickoff.

Instead of making progress after their three-game winning streak, the Raiders once again blew a lead, as they were ahead by 13 points in the fourth quarter. They should have been ahead by more, but timely mistakes held them back. Here are the winners and losers for the week as Las Vegas fell to 5-8 on the campaign.

Loser: Defense/Patrick Graham

We’re starting with losers first this week, and the defense, led by coordinator Patrick Graham, is No. 1 on the list. Facing Mayfield should have been an easy assignment, as he barely knew the playbook. Allowing him to drive 98 yards in just over a minute was astonishing and simply unacceptable.

A spirited effort by the defensive front went to waste, as the Raiders tallied four QB sacks, five tackles for loss, and six QB hits.

Loser: CB Sam Webb

This loss was a team effort, but I’m about to single a few players out, starting with cornerback Sam Webb. He’s filled in admirably for a secondary in search of answers and facing injury problems, but he allowed the game-winning touchdown and he didn’t even see it coming.

This TD from @bakermayfield ➡️ @VanJefferson12!

📺 @NFLonPrime | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdmlymg pic.twitter.com/xska07A2VD

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 9, 2022

Loser: DE Clelin Ferrell

The Raiders were ahead 16-3 in the fourth quarter and had just forced the Rams to punt. Many football fans across America were likely bored or had stopped watching. But defensive end Clelin Ferrell went offsides on the punt and granted LA a first down. (Hall was flagged on the play too, but the penalty was declined.)

The Rams went on to score a touchdown and were down just six points to the Raiders with 3:19 to play, setting the table for Mayfield’s comeback.

Loser: CB Amik Robertson/DT Jerry Tillery

The Las Vegas offense went three-and-out after the Rams pulled within six points, and a 64-yard punt from A.J. Cole pinned LA back at their own 2-yard line.

Safety Duron Harmon intercepted Mayfield on 3rd-and-2 but CB Amik Robertson was called for a blatant holding penalty. A play later, defensive ends Maxx Crosby and Chander…