The Raiders did their best to kill any argument they belong in the playoffs. A 43-6 loss puts them in ninth place and outside the postseason. The only good thing is Baltimore lost in their J.V. Wednesday game. Vegas still has head-to-head matchups with the Colts and Dolphins who are ahead of them in the standings so not all hope is lost.
Still, last week’s collapse was oddly familiar to the egg they laid last year around the same time. The seams came undone on that year but Gruden and others swear this is a different team.
Either way, if 2020 was a game it felt like last week. We knew the Falcons were a threat so we did not completely overlook them. We thought we were discipline enough to beat a deadly virus disguised as a common cough. Scoreboard told a different story as the Falcons hit the Raiders in the mouth like COVID hit our entire way of life. The Silver and Black went from being the physical team versus the Chiefs to getting bullied by a team with an interim coach and no playoff chances.
Sure, you can expect a let down after the Raiders came so close to beating the Chiefs the week before. It was a West Coast team traveling East. They had COVID issues too. All good reasons to que the it’s a trap memes!
This week, the Raiders have no excuses. People like to point out that teams have ended losing streaks versus the Jets. Sam Darnold hasn’t thrown a TD pass in four starts. Frank Gore keeps fighting time as he is their feature back off his best game.
It will be cold and Derek Carr won’t get the benefit of the dome. We know how he struggles in the cold but I can’t believe we are talking about him securing the ball this late in his career. He had three fumbles and three interceptions last week. It was his second game with multiple fumbles. His turnovers have been major in all of our losses this year.
Beating the Jets starts with controlling the ball. Vegas will also be down Josh Jacobs who is nursing an ankle sprain. Trent Brown also won’t be returning so who knows what to expect at right tackle. Right when we thought Brandon Parker was turning a corner he gives us a game like last week.
Not to mention, our defense still looked like Swiss cheese. They were still short handed due to the virus and they will be again with Carl Nassib out. Damon Arnette is also out due to a concussion. Maliek Collins ends a disappointing year with IR. Jonathan Abram will also be out.
On the other hand, Clelin Ferrell will return and Vic Beasley makes his debut. Some good news for the Raiders front seven.
Still, this could easily set the stage to the Jets finding themselves and putting together a win. Their coach is on the hot seat and Trevor Lawrence is in their sites which means New York’s effort could go either way.
The Raiders defense is messy and their offense will be down their identity which is Jacobs. Another poor defensive showing should send Paulie G. packing. Injuries can only save so much mediocrity.
On offense, the Raiders need to get back on track versus a Jets defense that ranks towards the bottom of the league. Their secondary is incredibly young so that should mean the Raiders look to get Henry Ruggs involved early and often. They will need his playmaking and speed in the cold. What New York does have is a near unblock-able Quinnen Williams. Blocking him is challenging enough but the Raiders added o-line injuries to Good and Brown could make him a real factor.
Ultimately, the Raiders got to forget about last season and last week. Carr has to put his cold and east coast struggles behind him by finding ways to convert on third down and not turning the ball over. He is the Raiders advantage given Darnold’s struggles. Carr can’t put his already struggling defense behind by turning the ball over.
Vegas’ x-factor is Davontae Booker. The former Bronco is averaging 5.5 yards per carry behind Jacobs rhis year. He earned himself some playing time and this is the game where he may shoulder the load in the cold. Look for the Raiders to give it to him early and often.
Defensively, the Jets do have size and speed at receiver. The Silver and Black are already undersized in the secondary which means the Jets could challenge them down field. Add the fact the Raiders are down bodies in the secondary and they will have their hands full.
New York also features one of the best young tackles in Mekhi Becton. Still, the Raiders figuring out the pass rush is once again imperative to winning. It will be harder given Nassib and Collins are out. Hurst could be out and oh yeah they have injuries in the secondary again.
It’s hard not to sound like the sky is falling after last week’s loss. The challenge is the Raiders have looked good versus playoff teams like the Chiefs, Browns and Saints but also looked bad versus middle of the road teams like the Falcons and Patriots. We are three quarters of the way through the season and should be playing our best ball. Instead, we’re worried about stacking three losses amid all these injuries.
As much as it feels like the Raiders are better and finding an identity, we still don’t know what to expect on a week to week basis. Should the Raiders beat up on a Jets team that is going the other way? Yes. Could they lose on the road to young team with all these injuries. Yes. Predicting what team shows up this week is as good as a guess.
If the Raiders want to make the playoffs they better find a way to make up for their sins with an imposing win versus the Jets. They need the confidence and their reserves need the experience amid all these injuries.
Even if mathematically there is a still a shot, a loss here could signal the end of a lot. The end of the coordinators in Vegas. The end of the Carr chapter. Or at the very least the end of our legitimate playoff hopes. But fuck it Just Win Baby!
