Five takeaways from Raiders’ blowout loss vs Bengals

After signing former third-round NFL draft pick Desmond Ridder off the Arizona Cardinals‘ practice squad on Oct. 21, Ridder saw extended action for the Raiders against the Bengals.

Ridder replaced a benched Gardner Minshew in the third quarter with the Raiders trailing the Bengals 31-10. The former Atlanta Falcons draft pick directed five Raiders drives in the second half.

Ridder did orchestrate one touchdown drive on the Raiders’ final possession of the game. Ridder connected with rookie tight end Brock Bowers on a 22-yard touchdown strike with :41 remaining. The 6-foot-3, 207 pound quarterback finished his day 11-of-16 passing for 74 yards with the lone touchdown.

Ridder was sacked and he fumbled on the Raiders’ second-to-last series. That was one of two Las Vegas turnovers on the day.

With the Raiders’ decision to bench Minshew in favor of Ridder, it opens up the dialogue on which quarterback will start for Las Vegas after the Raiders’ bye week in their Nov. 17 contest at Miami.