HYATTSVILLE, Md. _ The Raiders engaged in a peaceful protest Sunday night and then took pacifism to an extreme in a 27-10 loss to Washington at FedEx Field.
Most Raiders players, arms interlocked and faces deadly serious, did not stand for the national anthem in a form of protest against racial oppression that took different forms throughout the NFL.
Once the game began, the Raiders were beaten in every conceivable way in a game that was far more lopsided than the scoreboard indicated. Washington outgained the Raiders 472 yards to 128.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins held a decided edge against Derek Carr, completing 25 of 30 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Carr (18 of 31, 118 yards) and the Raiders offense never approached the level of explosiveness or efficiency it had through the first two games.
The Raiders were soundly beaten on both sides of the line of scrimmage, including a rare instance where their offensive line was overpowered by an opposing defensive front.
It delighted a home crowd of 77,123 which at times broke out in a "USA, USA" chant aimed at Raiders pregame anthem protesters, although Washington had some players taking a knee as well.
Cousins, playing under the franchise tag for just under $24 million, looked the part in the first half of the quarterback could pass Matthew Stafford and Carr in terms of a higher salary.
During the week, cornerback David Amerson, a former teammate in Washington, said it was up to the Raiders to prevent Cousins from developing a rhythm because he was capable of throwing for "outrageous" yards.
In the first half, Cousins was 15 of 16 for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
