Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick recently recalled how he effectively dashed the Las Vegas Raiders’ playoffs hopes last season.
Fitzpatrick, now with the Washington Football Team, helped deliver the Raiders’ eighth loss of the 2020 campaign. By doing so, Las Vegas was essentially knocked out of playoff contention. However, to simply pin this shortcoming on Fitz would be shortsighted considering the Raiders were previously 6-3. Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins delivering the death nail on the team’s 2020 season is more accurate. A true microcosm of yet another collapse under head coach Jon Gruden.
The Miami Herald spotlighted Fitzpatrick’s recent interview. The signal-caller originally spoke with Pablo Torre on ESPN’s Daily Podcast, breaking down the play.
“I’ve been known in my day to dial some stuff up to draw it in the dirt if you will. And that particular play I had a very good feeling they were going to be playing Tampa 2, so I had a very good feeling they’d have a Mike linebacker kind of running in with (tight end) Mike Gesicki, two safeties, and if I could spend enough time staring at Mike, I might, I just might have a chance to hit our single receiver down the sideline.”
The Raiders’ defense faltered yet again…
Fitzpatrick alluded to the predictability that haunted the Raiders defense under Paul Guenther. The pass completion combined with Arden Key’s penalty encapsulated the defensive struggles. By all accounts, the Silver and Black should’ve walked away with this victory. Prior to the Dolphins getting the ball back, the Raiders had gone ahead on a Daniel Carlson field goal. There were literally 19 seconds left with a score of 25-23, done deal, right? Alas, it was enough time for Fitzpatrick.
Fitz himself was in amazement as he threw up the pass but admits that he didn’t realize it had been completed. Though he does vividly recall nearly getting his head ripped off by Key.
“…it was just such a cool play. It was an amazing moment.”
There’s no doubt this moment will surely go down in Fitzpatrick’s top ten list. Unfortunately, this is a moment that the Raiders and Raider Nation will like to forget. The team should’ve been in a better position, record-wise, but that’s another debate for another day.
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*Top Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports