The Raiders won’t get the credit they deserve. Not when the opposing defensive coordinator helps gift wrap the W with the most egregious call you’ll ever see to defend a Hail Mary-type situation. First, let’s get to how impressive that final play was for Las Vegas. It was a textbook example of execution at all
Quick Slants: Big W overshadowed by big gaffe
Raiders had a dramatic win. The last play was impressive:
-great blitz pickup (see Waller and Richards blocks)
-Ruggs a great route and catch
-Carr with an unbelievable throw
In addition, great to see Ferrell’s 2 strip sacks. Need more of that from him.
Yet if Raiders play like they’ve played last 2 weeks, especially with defensive ineptitude, Colts will blow them out.
Yep, time for them to step it up; must bring A-game every week from here on out.
Effectively the playoffs start now for our Raiders – no margin for error, we just need to keep winning.
Great they found a way to win after digging themselves a whole. I’d prefer us to win easier but will take any and every win for the rest of this season.
Great to see Ferrell turn up and impact the game and Mullen’s excellent work including a top quality INT was really welcome.
Looks like Trent Brown will also be reactivated this week to shore up the line against a strong Colts D on Sunday. All elements have to fire on Sunday but key maybe the pressure we can generate on the massively overrated Rivers…..
Let’s get over the gaffe element. No other QB did, or probably could do, what DC did on that pass, a jump throw and a flick of the wrist over 45 yards under pressure. How fitting it is part of Raider lore and nowhere else.
It certainly was a cardiac win especially since the offense stalled in the prior drive to score on a couple of bad throws. Nice to see Ferrell make some plays despite it being against lower competition, hopefully that boosts his confidence and he can springboard that experience into the next games.
I’m a bit worried that the last few years the team plays very well at the beginning of the season and then seems to level off/worsen later in the season. Seems to me that the team should be able to build on its early success and continue playing strong. Anyone have thoughts on why that may be? Injuries? Opponents have tape? Play-calling? Leadership? Fatigue?
That’s a really interesting question re the late season. I think that injuries and lack of depth must play into it – let’s face it, we’re still light on playmakers on the D even with first string out there!
It’s taken Carr a while to get the whole offense into his head meaning teams can see tendencies from tape and he hasn’t previously had anywhere else to go. That looks to have changed for the better.
I think we also see the impact of so many changes in personnel year on year but also just how difficult it is to change a culture…. the team is dealing with a lot of precedent of losing bigger games when the opposition also has a lot at stake. That kind of trend is hard to shake mentally.
That latter point is why I don’t care the win was close on Sunday. NFL teams seldom go 0 – 16 (even we avoided it back.in the very dark days in Oakland!). The Jets will likely beat somebody in the upset of the season but we dodged the banana skin and can move on after a great game wìnning read and throw by Carr, which could be the making of Ruggs…. bear in mind we are the only team in the crazy NFL 2020 to have beaten both the Saints and Chiefs!
Thanks for your perspective, Andy!