Well, well, well Raiders fanatics, the season has come to an end. Let’s not cry because it’s over, but smile because it happened. Actually, let’s complain about how it happened.
The Raiders in one sentence
‘The Raiders beat the Broncos in spite of themselves’
Despite unloading the entire clip into their own foot, the Raiders found a way to defeat the Denver Broncos in the closing seconds to manage their eighth win of the year. Las Vegas turned the ball over four times and committed 14 penalties. Amazingly, that was enough to win.
Name the Game
“The Redo”
In 2019’s season finale, the Raiders scored in the final moments to bring them within one behind Denver. Head coach Jon Gruden went for two and quarterback Derek Carr’s pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage. This year, the Silver and Black scored in the final moments to bring them one behind. Gruden went for two again and DC4’s pass found Darren Waller.
Both games had zero playoff implications but the parallelism between the two was fun.
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Stat of the Game
Darren Waller- Nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Plus a Raiders franchise single-season record.
Waller went nuclear once again to break the Raider franchise record for receptions in a season. He finished the year with 107 catches. That’s insane, especially for a tight end. He was their best player all season and should be Second-Team All-Pro this season.
Carr fans will surely say he managed another comeback win and game-winning drive. Meanwhile, his critics will surely say his turnovers were the reason Las Vegas had to come back and win. Also, he’s the reason they almost lost. Both have some truth.
News heading into the offseason
After this nail-biting season finale, the Raiders are not losers anymore. However, they aren’t winners either. 8-8 is no man’s land.
Random thoughts about these Raiders
- Week 17 was the perfect game for wide receiver Bryan Edwards to build on for next year.
- Drew Lock was tied for the NFL lead interceptions then he played the Raiders’ defense and looked like prime Peyton Manning.
- Three offensive players had the same number of tackles as defensive end Carl Nassib.
- Safety Johnathan Abram didn’t commit a personal foul!
- The Silver and Black got all three milestones on offense. (Carr 4,000 yards, Josh Jacobs 1,000 yards, Waller 100 receptions)
- I’m going to miss waking up on Sunday to watch opposing teams convert third and longs.
Apology of the Week
Dear Broncos Fans,
Denver says they are sticking with their head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback trifecta for next year. For this, I’m sorry because they are all abysmal. The rest of the AFC West thanks you and laughs at you. But not me, I sympathize with you as a tortured Raiders Fan.
Your Frienemy,
Holden.
One prediction about the Raiders
Okay, fine guys, I’ll do a Motley Season Review. You can stop flooding my DMs about it.
Also, this Las Vegas team is unbeaten in 2021, is this our year? Probably.
Go Raiders.
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