Wow! What a game! After all the dust settled, the Las Vegas Raiders emerged from Thanksgiving with a winning record defeating the Dallas Cowboys.
Game of the Year
I think that might have been the best game of the NFL season so far. It had everything. It was tense, dramatic, explosive, and just plain fun amidst all the stress. Despite all the scoring, both defenses played well (except for Anthony Brown). The quarterbacks were just too good. It was an excellent dual between Derek Carr and Dak Prescott.
That was a pleasant surprise. Given both teams’ poor play, piles of injuries, and a short week, expectations from fans were low. Everyone was prepared to have their Thanksgiving ruined by a bad game in which the Raiders found a way to lose. Instead, the opposite happened.
Help From the Officials?!
I cannot believe I’m saying this. The Raiders were aided by the fact that a lot of calls went their way. Fans are surely still shocked that Darren Waller’s fumble early in the game was ruled an incomplete pass. He very clearly made a football move. Plus, the way pass interference was so tightly called was crucial to Vegas’s coming out on top. I can’t remember the last time the officials helped the Raiders win a game. Maybe 2017 in that chaotic Thursday night comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs?
The Defensive Line is Elite
It seemed like Dak was in a sea of bodies every time he dropped back to pass. It wasn’t just coming from the edges either. The Raiders got an excellent push up the middle from the likes of Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Jefferson, and Solomon Thomas. On the outside, Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby were able to stay fresh thanks to the support of Carl Nassib (until he got hurt) and, shockingly, Clelin Ferrell. The Cowboys’ run game was also stymied outside of a couple of big runs. The key to Gus Bradley’s minimal blitzing defense working is the front four creating havoc. They have done that time and time again. This is the biggest reason for the Raiders’ defensive turnaround this season.
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*Top Photo: John Locher/Associated Press