The Sports Xchange

OAKLAND, Calif. — The last time the Raiders made the playoffs was after the 2002 season, but Oakland took another step Sunday in its quest to end that drought.

Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 333 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns, leading the Raiders to a 34-20 victory against the New York Jets at the O.co Coliseum.

The Raiders improved to 4-3 and are tied with the Jets (4-3) atop the early wild-card standings in the AFC. Oakland already has as many wins this season as it recorded all of last season.

“We want to be expected to win,” Raiders free safety Charles Woodson said. “When we watch the media, the TV guys, whatever, I want them to pick the Raiders.

“It’s a big win for us, beating a good team. … It speaks to what we’re building and where we’re trying to go.”

Raiders running back Latavius Murray gained 113 yards on 20 carries against a New York defense that entered the game ranked first against the run in the NFL.

“We’ve been hearing it all week, that’s what they do is stop the run,” Murray said. “We definitely took that as a challenge and made sure we dictated what happened out there in the running game.”

Carr completed 23 of 36 passes with no interceptions and had his fourth career 300-yard passing game, including three this season. Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes caught two touchdown passes. Running back Taiwan Jones scored on a 59-yard pass, and wide receiver Michael Crabtree scored on a 36-yarder. Crabtree caught seven passes for 102 yards.

Jets running back Chris Ivory rushed for only 17 yards on 15 carries against an Oakland defense that was ranked third in the NFL against the run.

“That’s a testament to the guys,” said Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack, who had three tackles for losses. “We’ve been working hard.”

Jets starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his left thumb with 11:06 left in the first quarter at the end of a 14-yard scramble when he was tackled by Woodson. He left the game and took only two more snaps, those coming late in the fourth quarter after backup quarterback Geno Smith was shaken up on a sack.

“He’s going to get MRIs tomorrow, and we’ll go from there,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said of Fitzpatrick.

What we learned about the Jets:

1. They’re running out of healthy quarterbacks. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his left thumb early in the first quarter when he was tackled at the end of a 14-yard scramble. Backup Geno Smith took over and hurt his left shoulder while taking a big him at the end of a 29 yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Later in the quarter, he hurt his abdomen and banged his head on the turn on a sack. Fitzpatrick was forced to replace Smith for two plays after that sack, despite having a cast on his left hand and forearm. Fitzpatrick is scheduled for an MRI on Monday. Smith said he’s not sure if he’ll have to miss some time because of his injuries.

2. Tackling drills are definitely in order for the Jets defense. Midway through the second quarter, Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree broke three tackles during a 36-yard catch-and-run for a TD. Linebacker Demario Davis, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and cornerback Marcus Williams all missed tackles. Then early in the third quarter, Raiders running back Taiwan Jones took a swing pass and raced 59 yards for a TD, making Davis, Williams and safety Marcus Gilchrist miss. “We missed a lot of tackles,” Cromartie said. “If you look at it, I think we probably had something like over 20-something missed tackles this game. That’s something that we can not do. When you have the missed tackles, penalties and giving up long touchdowns, you’re automatically going to lose that game. It’s not going to be a good game.”

3.Injured center Nick Mangold can’t get back soon enough. Mangold missed Sunday’s game against the Raiders with a neck injury, and Wesley Johnson, who was promoted earlier in the week from the practice squad, started in his place. The Jets, who came into the game ranked third in the NFL in rushing at 136.5 yards per game, rushed for 74 yards on 21 carries. Running back Chris Ivory gained 17 yards on 15 carries, averaging 1.1 yards per try. He came into the game averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Mangold’s absence can’t account for all of the Jets’ problems running the ball Sunday, but it certainly didn’t help.

Etc.:

–QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his left thumb with 11:06 left in the first quarter Sunday at the end of a 14-yard scramble when he was tackled by Raiders free safety Charles Woodson. He left the game and took only two more snaps, those coming late in the fourth quarter after backup quarterback Geno Smith was shaken up on a sack. “He’s going to get MRI’s tomorrow and we’ll go from there,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said of Fitzpatrick.

–QB Geno Smith made his season debut Sunday in a 34-20 loss to Oakland and first appearance since Dec. 28, 2014, against Miami. Smith, the Jets’ starter the previous two seasons, suffered a broken jaw on Aug. 11 when ex-teammate IK Enemkpali punched him during an argument in the locker room. Smith, who had been active since Week 3 against Philadelphia, replaced an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick (torn ligaments, left thumb) early in the first quarter. He completed 27 of 42 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. “I felt ready,” Smith said. “I’ve been getting enough reps in practice and doing a bunch in the classroom so we were on the same page.” Smith was injured with 54 seconds left to play on a sack when he was hit in the abdomen. His head snapped back and hit the turf hard as he landed. Fitzpatrick, the Jets’ only other active quarterback, returned to the game for two plays, despite his thumb injury. Smith returned after that and finished the game. Earlier in the half, Smith took a huge hit on his left shoulder from Raiders cornerback David Amerson along the right sideline at the end of a 29 run. Smith said he’s “not sure” if he’ll miss time because of his injuries. “We did X-rays on my shoulder,” Smith said. “My abdomen feels good. Still got to monitor everything and get in the treatment this week.”

–RB Chris Ivory rushed for only 17 yards on 15 carries Sunday for the Jets against an Oakland defense that was ranked third in the NFL against the run. Ivory came into the game with 501 yards on 100 carries, an average of 5.0 yards per try. He averaged 1.1 yards per carry against Oakland.