The Las Vegas Raiders broke their three-game losing streak in Dallas yesterday. A huge part of their victory was wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.
Following the release of Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders were left with a void at wide receiver. By default, Darren Waller became the team’s top go-to option, but Renfrow appears to be filling the hole. Against the Cowboys, Renfrow caught eight receptions while piling up 134 receiving yards, a career-high as Anthony Galaviz of the Fresno Bee pointed out.
Hunter Renfrow finished with eight receptions for a career-high 134 yards. #Raiders
— Anthony Galaviz (@agalaviz_TheBee) November 26, 2021
His reception total was the highest of the 2021 season. The closest to that total was seven, which he compiled in Weeks 7 and 9 through 10. As far as his total yardage goes, that was also his highest this season. On top of that, Renfrow averaged 16.8 yards per catch, and quarterback Derek Carr went to his trusty receiver a total of nine times. Losing Darren Waller during the game naturally meant that Carr would look to Renfrow more often. That also translated into other wide receivers, such as Zay Jones, seeing more looks. Jones ended the game with seven targets.
DeSean Jackson (102) and Hunter Renfrow (134) have both topped 100 yards receiving. Last time 2 #Raiders WRs had 100+ in same game:
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 26, 2021
10/30/16 vs Tampa: Amari Cooper 173, Michael Crabtree 108
By the end of the game, the Raiders had a historic output from their wide receiver corps. Josh Dubow of the Associated Press Tweeted that not since 2016 had the Silver and Black featured two receivers with 100-plus receiving yards in one game. When was the last time that occurred? Back in 2016, during that memorable campaign when Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree were causing havoc.
Renfrow simply gets the job done…
Renfrow isn’t the flashiest or tallest receiver on the field, but he gets the job done. Ryan Clark said it best, calling him a “no BS runner with the ball in his hands. He gets north south every time he catches it. Now, he will give you that sticky icky in his routes. Once he gets the pill though he seeks downs. First downs and touchdowns.“
When playing from the slot, Renfrow caught all four targets from Carr, totaling 105 yards in that spot. Next Gen Stats from the NFL also pointed out that Renfrow’s crucial 54-yard reception was the second-longest of his career by air yards.
#Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow
— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) November 26, 2021
“Felt like we showed the heart of our team today”
With Waller hurt and not exactly knowing how he’ll be affected moving forward, Renfrow is the de-facto number one receiver. If yesterday’s display was any indication, the passing game should be fine, especially when you consider the team still has the underrated Foster Moreau at tight end. More importantly, Renfrow is a leader and, arguably, the heart of this offense.
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*Top Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
