In true Las Vegas Raiders fashion, it took every bit of 60 minutes for the Silver and Black to secure their seventh victory of the season. The Jets stuck true to form and found a way to lose, moving them one step closer to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Derek Carr’s heave deep to wide receiver Henry Ruggs III in the final moments saved this team from the hellfire and brimstone ready to be rained down from Raider Nation.
The Raiders in one sentence
“The Jets are bringing a blitz.”
Like an 11-year old playing Madden, the ‘Gang Green’ and defensive coordinator Greg Williams blitzed relentlessly throughout the contest. Unofficially, they blitzed on 118 percent of the team’s total snaps on defense. Could they blitz on offense, they’ve would’ve done it too, but seriously, it was a ridiculous amount. This allowed Carr’s safety blanket, tight Darren Waller, to go for 200 yards on 13 catches and two touchdowns.
The Jets’ inexplicable decision to blitz seven and play Cover-0 on Ruggs’ touchdown is beyond reason. Don’t tell me it’s head coach Adam Gase and Williams intentionally losing, because there is no way they have a job a second after the season ends anyway. They are just that inept.
Name the Game
“Hail Henry”
The memory of this game will always be the bomb to Ruggs to keep the Raiders’ playoff hopes alive even though he did his very best to lose this game earlier. The deflected interception was his fault and his fumble gave the Jets the ball to take the lead. All is forgiven for the time being although his play has been very disappointing for a first-round pick.
Stat of the Game
Darren Waller – 13 catches, 200 yards, 2 touchdowns
Waller went nuclear on the Jets. His career day was flawless, not only because the stat line was insane, but also because he didn’t have any drops and drew a big penalty on fourth down late in the game. He is firmly on the path to being a Second-Team All-Pro this season.
CarrFax
Carr wasn’t fantastic. He missed a few big throws that would’ve been major topics of conversation had the Raiders failed to come back and win. However, they did win. And ‘DC4’ put the final ball on the money. If you want to read more from experts about how Carr played, just go to Twitter and search his name. That should keep you busy for a few hours.
Related: Fans React To Wild Finish By Raiders vs Jets
Good and bad news for the Raiders
-A 7-5 record and the Raiders control their own destiny. The next three games are also at the Death Star.
-This Jets team is historically bad and they took us to the wire. It’s pretty embarrassing it took that miracle to win.
Random Thoughts
- Clelin Ferrell looked like a fourth overall draft pick today.
- The defensive line’s play has been very concerning of late.
- Paul Guenther has a job but Rex Ryan doesn’t. That doesn’t sit right.
- The Jets picked up two guys from McDonald’s on the way to MetLife, they combined for 178 rushing yards on 30 carries.
- Seeing Derek Carr sprint to the pylon and extend the ball was terrifying.
- Nick Morrow is what Cory Littleton was supposed to be.
- Shoutout to the Division III Greenville University Panthers (Morrow’s Alma Mater).
- Treyvon Mullen covers dudes like a king-sized comforter in December.
- Only one target for Fullback Alec Ingold in Week 13, I’m furious.
Apology of the week
Dear Trevor Lawrence,
How are you doing, Sunshine? Listen, man, they tried. But they’ll do whatever it takes. I’m sorry.
Enjoy Clemson,
Holden.
One Prediction about the Raiders for next week
Philip Rivers gifts the Raiders an interception to seal the victory one last time for good ole times’ sake.
Go Raiders.
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Top Photo: Noah K. Murray/Associated Press