Redskins defense suffocates Raiders in prime-time blowout

LANDOVER, Md. - Kirk Cousins threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns, Chris Thompson had 188 all-purpose yards and a score and the Washington Redskins sacked Derek Carr four times and held the Raiders to 128 yards in a dominating 27-10 victory on Sunday night.

Cousins was a spectacular 25 of 30, including TD passes to Thompson, Vernon Davis and a 52-yarder to Josh Doctson. Thompson had 150 yards receiving and 38 yards rushing, joining Jamaal Charles as the only running backs to put up 150 yards receiving against the Raiders (2-1) since they moved to Oakland in 1995.

Thompson was again a difference maker and has four of Washington’s seven offensive touchdowns this season. The Redskins (2-1), who piled up 472 yards, improved to 4-6 in prime-time games under coach Jay Gruden and tied the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East.

Under pressure all night, Carr was 19 of 31 for 118 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Carr had thrown 112 consecutive passes before being picked off by Montae Nicholson on the second play of the game.

Oakland’s rushing offense, which came in ranked fifth in the NFL, managed just 32 yards.

OAKLAND 0-FER

The Raiders went 0 of 11 on third down as part of their anemic offensive effort. Their 47 first-half yards were their fewest since Week 14 against Denver in 2015, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Oakland’s only touchdown, a 21-yard pass from Carr to Jared Cook, came after the Redskins’ Jamison Crowder muffed the punt return and the Raiders recovered at the Washington 18. The Raiders had scoring drives of 18 and 8 yards.

REDSKINS SACK MASTERS

The Redskins’ defensive front dominated the Raiders’ offensive line for much of the games. Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan each had a solo sack and rookie Jonathan Allen was in on two - with Junior Galette and Matt Ioannidis.

It was the most sacks of Carr since the 2015 finale against Kansas City (six).

ANTHEM PROTEST

Washington’s Dan Snyder followed the lead of a handful of other owners by linking arms with his players on the sideline during the national anthem. Seven Redskins players kneeled: tight ends Jordan Reed and Niles Paul, receivers Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Brian Quick and linebackers Chris Carter and Ryan Anderson.

A vast majority of Raiders players sat on the bench arm in arm. Carr was among those standing, along with coach Jack Del Rio.

INJURIES

Raiders WR Michael Crabtree left with a chest injury.

Oakland CB Sean Smith returned from a neck injury and was beaten down the field by Davis and others.

Redskins Reed (chest/rib), RB Rob Kelley (rib), and LB Mason Foster (shoulder) were all inactive.

Redskins RB Samaje Perine injured his hand on the play he fumbled in the fourth quarter.

Redskins OT Ty Nsekhe suffered a groin injury.

Raiders scratches were QB Connor Cook, S Erik Harris CB Dexter McDonald, DT Darius Latham, OT David Sharpe, OT Jyland Ware, DE Jihad Ward

QUOTABLE

Raiders LT Donald Penn to NBC on President Donald Trump’s comments about anthem protests: “I think it’s just going to start a domino effect. I think it’s going to start a lot more protests, a lot more guys are going to start taking knees, a lot more guys are going to start sitting through the national anthem because he’s basically calling us out.”

CARING CARR

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has always been known to be a caring person.

Before Sunday’s night game against the Washington Redskins, the ex-Fresno State star showed that once again.

Carr took time out of pregame warm-ups to meet a young man in a wheelchair with a Khalil Mack jersey.

Carr greeted and tapped him on the shoulder and signed a football with on-lookers watching.