So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

was when their starting cb got benched for Hayden. It was after that Cooks TD too. Also, raiders moved Osmele to left tackle to help Carr come back. Now this was the loss that truly unnerves me because 1.We had a big lead and 2.This wasn't a pass rushing team that disrupts the QB. So the fact we lost this game here does not sit well with me and it is ultimately why we are 5-8.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

What?

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

The turning point in the Raiders game was Breaux getting injured. If that doesn't happen we win. Likewise, if PJ Williams doesn't get knocked out in week 2 against the Giants we win. I truly believe those 2 injuries cost us big time.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Oh ...

Off the top of my head ... bad clock management, abandoning the run game & the lack of a pass rush.

Lastly, no depth at the corner back position.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Side note ... IIRC the officiating was pretty bad in this one.

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orlea...6046b2d24.html

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

The loss for the Raiders, in hindsight, did portend alot of things to come...

- Injuries

- Close game, letting the NFL Officiating a$$f*ck us

- Throttling the offensive play calling instead of keeping the gas pedal to the floor

- Failing to stop deep passes on defense

- Abandoning run game, not mixing road grading with spread formations

- Poor special teams play

It was all there on display and with the exception of a newly installed defense gelling and getting relatively healthy...

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

It was the early warning signs of how this season was to go.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Speaking of turning points, though, this franchise has turned the corner...

It would've been nice for the new defense and the rookies to have gotten a playoff run for experience for next season...

But we gotta realize there were a lot of moving parts this season, especially with yet another newly installed defense...

The mistakes were more glaring because we are that close, but organization and coaching staff issues must be addressed - promptly...

The turn went about as well as a double wide haul in a French Quarter intersection...

But it's there, we can all see it to some degree or another...

We're a couple of free agents a No-Silly-Sean-Sh*t--Just-Let-Ireland-And-The-Real-Souts-Do-It Draft from getting this rig rolling...

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

When we lost to the Raiders we started having to fight our way back to a winning record AGAIN! Injuries killed us to start the season. Oh yeah, that and special teams.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Injuries did kill us plus a new DC getting his program in place.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

Lack of depth is an understatement. It wasn't just lack of depth, it was lack of starters

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

When you have a two possession lead and was scoring at will pretty much throughout that game how do you give that game away. The saints only scored one more FG in the next three drives. A lot of good teams in the league come back from down two TDs to teams all the time. I watch a lot of Redzone so I should know. You don't act like you have the game won when you score 24 points. The saints underestimated Carr. And I don't believe that injury was to blame at all.

But there's an article about it. Sean Smith had a bad game and the team benched him.

Re: So the turning point against the raiders week 1
 

I don't think the Raiders start scoring all those points to come back if it's Breaux and Williams out there instead of relying on Crawley. You're also correct though regarding taking the foot off the gas.