It is difficult to find any positives in the Las Vegas Raiders Week 12 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons. However, this could serve as a wake-up call for the Silver and Black before they head to the East Coast.
The Raiders find themselves in the same spot they were in 2019
The Raiders are flying back from ‘A-Town’ after a crushing defeat at the hands of the now 4-7 Falcons. They originally planned to remain on the East Coast in anticipation of their Week 13 matchup due to the NFL Covid-19 restrictions. Instead, they will land in Nevada and later hop back on a plane to face the New York Jets.
Last year, the Raiders walked into MetLife Stadium confident and cocky. The venue was full of Silver and Black fans and the Jets players knew it. However, that didn’t deter the ‘Gang Green’ from spoiling any possible playoff hopes the Raiders had at the time and delivered a crushing 34-3 loss. If that sounds awfully familiar, it is because they had a similar one to the Falcons.
It feels wrong to feel any shred of optimism after such a letdown in Atlanta. Nevertheless, this could be the wake-up call this squad required to make a final playoff push. The Raiders may have been feeling themselves a bit more than normal leading up to this game after narrowly losing to the Super Bowl Chiefs the week prior.
Related: 3 Major Concerns Following Raiders Loss to Falcons
The Silver and Black can’t afford another week of sloppy football
Carr even mentioned that the week of practice leading up to their battle against the Falcons was not up to par. Looking at their performance, it definitely showed on the field. The one positive to come out of this game is that the Raiders surely got their heads right after a royal beatdown.
The Raiders hopefully have realized they can’t perform a certain way depending on who they are facing that particular week. Even if Josh Jacobs is not healthy after suffering an ankle sprain against the Falcons, Carr has more than enough weapons around him to win that game. Mistakes will happen but Carr can’t afford to keep losing the ball.
The 0-11 Jets have essentially become the laughing stock of the NFL. However, we saw the New England Patriots almost lost to the Jets in Week 9, and the Raiders would not be laughing if they become the Jets’ first win of the season.
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Top Photo: Adam Hunger/Associated Press