Seahawks at Raiders game thread

Published 12:59 pm Sunday, October 31, 2010

And now it’s 26-3 Raiders

Well, not much left to say about this one. This is pretty easily the worst loss of the year for Seattle, particularly when you factor in all of the injuries.

With the Giants coming to Seattle next week, the Seahawks will have their work cut out for them if they’re going to avoid falling to 4-4.

Barring something crazy happening, this will be it here until after the game.

Seahawks avoid a shutout

It’s now 23-3 following a 47-yard field goal by Olindo Mare. So the Seahawks at least avoid their first shutout since 2007, but there’s still not a lot to like in this game for the Seahawks. LT Tyler Polumbus briefly left the game with a knee injury, but he was able to come back and finish the game. Chester Pitts slid from left guard to tackle while Polumbus was out with Mike Gibson coming in at guard.

Raiders score on one-play drive

Following another fluky play—a ball bobbled by Deon Butler somehow popped up to an awaiting defensive back for an interception—the Raiders scored on the next play, a 69-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Another Raiders FG makes it 16-0

So technically it’s still a two-score game, but this one feels over the way the Seahawks. The Raiders’ last scoring drive featured a play that pretty much summed up this entire day for Seattle, as a pass bounced off one Oakland receiver, then another, then was caught by Michael Bush who turned it into a 55-yard gain. This just isn’t Seattle’s day.

A drop and a miss keep Seattle off the scoreboard

That was a brutal sequence there for Seattle, which had a chance to get back in the game after a long completion to Golden Tate and a pass interference call on Oakland. On third-and-9 at the Oakland 11, Mike Williams dripped an easy catch that would have at least been for a first down, and maybe a touchdown. That was followed by Olindo Mare missing his second field goal of the day (cue Jim Mora saying “that was not acceptable.”

Raiders now lead 13-0

Darren McFadden’s 49-yard run set the Raiders up for another field goal, and the way Seattle’s offense is playing, a 13-point deficit feels pretty big right now. Seattle is also without WR Mike Williams, who has a knee injury. His return is probable.

Still 10-0 at halftime

Seattle finally managed a couple of first downs, but couldn’t put points on the board before halftime. Things are going so poorly for Seattle that even Olindo Mare, who came into the game having made 30 straight field goal attempts, missed from 51-yards late in the half.

The bad news isn’t just in the score for Seattle. DE Red Bryant, one of the pleasant surprises of this season for the Seahawks, had to be helped off the field after teammate Chris Clemons fell into him, causing his knee to buckle. His return is doubtful.

Oakland has outgained Seattle 180-69 so far, and Marshawn Lynch has -2 yards on five carries.

Raiders lead 10-0

Oakland just added to its lead on a 30-yard touchdown catch by Marcel Reece. If that name rings a bell, that’s because he used to play receiver for the Huskies.

Seahawks have four yards of offense. Four!

Seattle is still without a first down and has four yards on 12 plays. Chester Pitts is into the game at left guard for Ben Hamilton, who was poked in the eye. Hamilton’s return is questionable.

The only time the Seahawks have moved the ball was on a 43-yard punt return by Leon Washington. That was Washington’s first punt return this season, and based off that result, I doubt it will be his last.

Raiders take a 3-0 lead

A 31-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski has Oakland up 3-0 with 5:14 left in the first quarter. Darrius Heyward-Bey got the Raiders in field goal position with a 30-yard run on a reverse, but the Seattle defense held strong after that, limiting Oakland to three points.

Hey, more punting. Fun!

We’re almost seven minutes into the game and there has yet to be a first down by either team. Um… yeah, that’s about it.

Seahawks having protection issues

After Seattle’s defense forced a three-and-out to start the game, the offense gave it right back, allowing a pair of sacks on the first three plays. Couldn’t tell on the first play who got beat, but on the second sack it appeared to be Ben Hamilton. Don’t be shocked if Chester Pitts comes on to replace him at some point. The Seahawks want to get Pitts involved at some point, so if Hamilton continues to struggle, they may give Pitts a shot soon.

Also, it was Nate Ness, not Roy Lewis as expected, starting at cornerback. That move may have more to do with Lewis’ value on special teams than anything.

Pregame

Kickoff is about 15 minutes away in a half-full Oakland Coliseum. Actually, half full might be a generous description. Currently a bunch of kids are on the field for a punt, pass and kick competition. I’m pretty sure some of the 14-year-olds have better arms that Cardinals QB Max Hall. OK, that wasn’t nice, apologies.

Weather conditions couldn’t be much better for a football game here. It’s 66 degrees and sunny with only a light breeze blowing. Back with updates soon.