Just Don’t Be Racist Baby! 

There’s No Room for Direct or Indirect Racists in Raider Nation

I don’t care what you think about Trump or Derek Carr, there’s one thing Raider Nation should agree on and that’s Black Lives Matter.

The colors are Silver and Black for a reason. Don’t rock them if you’re afraid to acknowledge a team with a history of breaking down barriers.

Remember, those Badass teams in the ’70s were renowned for acceptance with the Black Panthers and Hell’s Angels. Don’t talk about the Assassin, Snake or that era if you forget the unity they represented.

After the George Floyd protests, Charles Woodson chimed in. Josh Jacobs was tweeting a storm. You heard Zay Jones and Tyrell Jones share stories.

How could anyone say all lives matter when they’re telling you they’ve felt like their lives don’t matter? They’re sharing trauma experienced by them or loved ones.

Derek Carr voiced his support and Jason Witten stepped in. Madd Maxx gave his support. Even they understand direct and direct discrimination Black people deal with every day including police brutality. Listen…

Go back in history and you will see that being a Raider means championing diversity and exclusion. They’ve had the most non-white head coaches including the first Black and Latino head coaches. Amy Trask was the highest-ranking female executive in the NFL. This isn’t a coincidence.

Being a Raider isn’t just about being pillaging, looking intimidating or just winning. It’s a commitment to excellence on and off the field.

The Raiders have long excelled at giving back to the community. The Raiders logo it’s self is a symbol of revolt and rebellion.

Don’t call yourself a Raiders fan if you’re ignoring your privilege or the facts about racism and police brutality. You can’t say you bleed Silver and Black if you’re afraid to say Black Lives Matter.

Raider Nation is outspoken and in your face group which is why the Raiders represent counter culture. Raiders fans are a lot of things but we’re not racist.

The point is, we can disagree on Carr or Gruden or Politics but don’t call yourself a Raiders Fan is you still think All Lives Matter when camera phones show us Black Lives don’t Matter.

That doesn’t mean you have to go out and protest or loot or donate or anything else. But it does mean you need to listen and be an ally. Because racists are getting canceled across sports, from announcers to media and players.

Raider Nation won’t be any different. We’re too diverse a group to let direct or indirect racism into our group. We’re voting you racists off the island even if you call yourself “Raiders Fans.”

 

 

NFL Draft 2020: Trade Speculation and Full Mock Draft

It’s Draft Day.  No this ain’t a song and it won’t feel like that for a few Raiders on the chopping block or people who wanted to attend the event.

The Vegas Raiders were supposed to be the hometown favorites today. This draft was their official introduction to the city.

COVID-19 took all that away and now we watch as the event will be a more vintage fantasy draft like everything else that happens over zoom these days.

The spectacle is set for totally different reasons. We will see GMs flexing with ergo-dynamics and man caves. Front offices with the best communication and collaboration will thrive in this remote environment while more legacy clubs get exposed. Analytics are gonna be even more important to fill gaps left from less personal connections.

The Silver and Black will make waves through this draft with their five picks in the first three rounds. They are without a second round pick which also makes them a candidate to move back in the draft.

Remember, the Raiders don’t have late round selections either. Again, placing an incentive on why the Raiders should be active on the trade market throughout the Draft.

There are also rumors they could be in play for an edge rusher like Yannick Ngakoue but that remains to be seen. Trading our 19th pick Ngakoue wouldn’t even be bad given this draft class is deep but might not bring an instant spark like Ngakoue would to the Raiders defense. Obviously, it would be better if the Raiders could get him without forfeiting a Round One selection. That should be easier since he doesn’t want to be there but it depends on what other teams are offering.

Who can the Raiders trade Today?

Beyond their draft capital, let’s start at the top with Derek Carr. Moving Carr gets exponentially easier if the Raiders select a quarterback in the first three rounds. It also drops his trade value if the Raiders invest in a rookie quarterback since they already are paying Marcus Mariota a lot of money to be a veteran bridge and high quality backup. The Raiders would be lucky to get a second or third round pick for Carr which is probably why they will hold onto him for another season.

We also can’t forget Gabe Jackson who is the other player remaining from that 2014 Draft Class. Jackson is still a starting caliber guard and he never received his due. However, his contract and injuries make it easier to move on.

Many thought he would have already been a cap casualty. Either way, Raiders will probably try to draft an interior linemen in the middle rounds like they did Jackson. This will give Incognito a mentee and someone to push Jackson or Denzelle Good. At the very least, drafting someone makes it that much easier to dump Jackson for a late found pick.

Then, there’s the holdovers. We’ve heard talks about P.J. Hall on the trade block. How about Arden Key?

Neither player has really lived up to their draft bills or potential. They were supposed to be high risk, high reward picks in their draft. Now, they’re looking more like additional Reggie McKenzie scraps about to be thrown over board at the highest bidder.

Both guys flash occasionally and that should be enough to warrant a fifth, sixth or seventh round pick for either or both. Look at a team who values length on the edges and strength in the interior as trade partners. How about other defenses cut from the Zimmer tree? The Patriots always love making the most of draft busts on the low… how about the Dolphins who employ McKenzie and hold a plethora of picks? All these teams make sense as a draft partner for Key or Hall.

Then, there’s Tyrell Williams and LaMarcus Joyner. Both were big free agency grabs last offseason. Now, their contracts look over priced. Williams and Joyner were both leaned on by their units last year. They flashed at times but other times it was a “you paid this guy that” situations?

You can’t put all the blame on them but they certainly weren’t saviors. My point is, the Raiders probably keep these guys another year due to their investment and the fact that no one is lining up to pay those salaries. Not to mention, Williams should improve with an alpha receiver opposite him. Joyner should improve with a much stronger overall defense around them. Their roles as strong complimentary starters is what earned them these big contracts after all.

Full Seven Round Mock Draft

Obviously, this entire projection gets blown up if the Raiders make one or two trades. Either way, my only intent was to make the Raiders better with every pick. They still need a lot of talent upgrades so finding players who can push for starting jobs sooner than later ensures they pack out their new home stadium.

Round One (12): WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Whether the Raiders take their QB of the future today or next year, they need to find him a pass catcher. Las Vegas lucked out and found one of the best receivers in the Draft available at 13. This pick gets harder if a top corner is available too.

Either way, you could make a case for Lamb as the most physical receiver in this class. His YAC potential is through the roof. It doesn’t hurt that he comes from one of the top programs in the nation last year too.

Round One (19): LB Patrick Queen, LSU

Again, the Raiders proved last year they will poach the best teams in College as an effort to build a winning culture. This time they grab a defensive playmaker to compliment what they did in free agency by signing two marquee free agents for the other starting roles.

Queen would play weakside backer for the Raiders. Although they signed two coverage backers this offseason, adding Queen might mean they can finally cover tight ends as well as stuff the run.

Round Three (80): S Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne

I know it’s tough to imagine Gruden spending two of his three first picks on defense but the Raiders defense is that bad. Yes, they have Abram coming back and signed Damarious Randall to provide depth at corner and safety with Joyner.

There are questions about his competition level but he showed his athleticism and instincts translate at the Senior Bowl. He can play either safety spot as well as special teams early.  Still, Dugger is a developmental player with traits to be a real boom for Vegas as they need playmakers on defense.

Round Three (81): QB Jacob Eason, Washington

Eason is a real wild card in this draft. Nonetheless, the Raiders and Gruden get a quarterback with the size, athleticism and arm strength to play on Sundays. He is a decent enough athlete too.

Of course, Eason comes with questions about his ability to handle pressure.  That shouldn’t be anything a quarterback guru like Gruden can’t work with, right? We’ve seen him take gambles on QBs with less obvious skill sets.

Round Three (91): OL Rober Hunt, Louisiana

Hunt was the best guard available at this point. He’s a big physical prospect who can develop under whoever the Raiders start at guard as well as push for time immediately due to his size and athleticism. Either way, this would not be a bad pick at all.

Round Four (121): DB Michael Ojemudia, Iowa

Again, the Raiders need versatile and productive players as they continue trying to make that defense competent. Ojemudia is a solid pick up with 6 interceptions since 2018. He still needs to refine his technique and instincts but he offers top end traits that make him worth this selection.

Round Five (160): RB Darrynton Evans, App St.

Finally, running back is a real wild card in this draft. The corps is deep but how they rank and where the position overall ranks in the NFL depends on who you ask. Either way, Evans was highly productive at Appalachian State. He has the size and speed to play all three downs but projects as a change of pace and outside runner initially. That might seem redundant with the what the Raiders already have at the position but Evans would be a nice in-between for Jacobs and Richard. You can also never have enough running backs, especially with Jacobs battling shoulder injuries at the end of the last season.

 

Ultimately, everything is on the board for today’s NFL Draft. It will be memorable because it is the first remote draft and the first time the Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock. However, it should also go down in history as the draft that finally made the Raiders a contender. Right?

First Wave Free Agency and Pete’s Plan

NFL Free Agency officially starts on March 18th but the legal tampering period allowed them and others to make some moves before the period opens.

I planned on writing an article about how the Raiders should tackle the offseason. However, the world is practically ending so give me a break for missing the deadline.

Free Agency Tampering Reaction

The Raiders mentally read my memo because they attacked free agency exactly how I wanted. Las Vegas addressed their brutally mediocre linebacker corps by adding Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton. I worried about those two getting out of the Raiders price range but the Silver and Black are willing to pay $56 million over the next three years to make them both their starting linebackers.

Kwiatkoski’s $7 million average contract makes sense for a player who got his first year as a starter last year. Littleton’s price tag is a little much but he should bring some added athleticism and playoff experience to the Raiders.

After Kwiatkoski’s addition, the next rumored move was the Raiders signing Marcus Mariota. Again, Mariota seemed like a logical QB 1B for the Raiders. They could give Mariota a year as the athletic backup or he offers the tools to beat out Mariota outright for the spot. Either way, this QB room won’t have it’s short of rumors as long as Carr remains on the roster.

Plot Twist

Then, things kind of got weird. Las Vegas signed Jason Witten out of nowhere. Witten showed he still had some juice by finishing with over 539 receiving yards and four touchdowns after sitting out 2018. The only issue is the Raiders tight end position was already one of their strongest groups with Pro Bowlers Darren Waller as well as Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier finding their own roles.

Las Vegas continued making moves adding former Cowboys defenders in Jeff Heath and Maliek Collins. Neither were really on my radar but seem like serviceable NFL players to boister the roster competition. Heath you might remember as the player who got credit for Carr fumbling away our playoff hopes short of the end zone a few years ago. He will be 29 next year and brings 54 games starting experience.

Collins started 55 games in four years with Dallas including 16 last year. He had his best year with four sacks and brings experience playing in both even and odd fronts.

It’s ironic the Raiders went after a few Cowboys since that team underachieved enough to get their coach fired and miss the playoffs. Still, there’s a clear message getting sent to current Raiders D.C. Paulie Geunther that maybe he isn’t the made man anymore. The Raiders are plucking people from D-line coach Rob Marinelli’s tree because he might be the D.C. sooner or later.

Vegas added more defensive help with Carl Nassib. Nassib is hybrid edge rusher with 12.5 sacks combined over the past two seasons. Nassib is only 27 and should be a factor in the Raiders rotation with Collins over the next few seasons. Both these guys were excellent ascending players on fair deals.

What’s Next?

It’s hard to say. The Raiders have about $30 million in cap space currently but that does not include the reported deals for Heath, Nassib, Mariota or Witten. Those additions plus their upcoming draft picks could mean the Raiders are tapped out.

That means Gabe Jackson or Derek Carr getting traded are probably the next one or two steps. Moving Carr could save them $13.6 million in cap space or moving Jackson saves $9.6 million. Both should have markets it’s just a matter of how much. Teams knowing the Raiders could cut either won’t make it easier for Vegas to get the draft pick return they really want.

Either way, the Raiders could afford to add another corner in free agency. A veteran like Chris Harris makes sense. There are also veterans like Desmond Trufant, Ronald Darby or Xavier Rhodes who could also use a redemption year. Nickell Robey-Coleman or Mackensie Alexander could make sense if they want ascending players with experience thriving in the slot.

I also would not be immune to the Raiders adding another veteran pass rusher like Everson Griffen to give them even more chances to sack the quarterback. Something like that probably wouldn’t happen until after the draft or they move some other defensive linemen.

Plus, what about the offense?

The Silver and Black offense was solid but all the issues were not Derek Carr’s fault. He or Mariota could use some added receiving targets.

Emmanuel Sanders is a veteran guy with experience in the Raiders offensive scheme. Paul Richardson played under Gruden’s brother in Washington. Travis Benjamin or Demarcus Robinson are speedster who knows the division. Nelson Agholor needs a new start. Robby Anderson is probably the best of the group remaining and the Raiders almost traded for him last year. Breshad Perriman also wrapped up a breakout year. We also can’t forget Phillip Dorsett who had almost 400 receiving yards for the pats last year. The point is, the Raiders can add speed and deep threats ahead of what will be a very deep receiving class in the draft.

We also can’t forget backup running back. Jalen Richard is a cool guy and special team player but he is what he is at this point. The Raiders should kick the tires on a veteran runner like Carlos Hyde who has always been good at finding the end zone. Devonta Freeman also makes sense as a west coast zone back off a few bad seasons. Freeman is still 28 and could have some trend on the tires if used in situations. Lamar Miller is another veteran low-risk, high reward move or the legend of Frank Gore who would be great at getting downhill with the Raiders.

Pete’s Plan

Moving forward, the Raiders set themselves up to pick the best player available in the draft by addressing their key needs before free agency officially opens.

That means one or two of their first five picks across rounds one thru three will be a wide receiver. In between, they should still take Richie Incognito’s eventual replacement as well as another pass rusher or secondary player. Then, of course, they also got to find a quarterback even if they commit to an open competition between.

 

 

 

 

 

Raiders Rants: Antonio Brown and 17 games

Listen, I’m all in on the once a Raider, always a Raider train. There’s something about the Raiders brand and colors that is an eternal way of carrying yourself. The love and support Raiders Nation extends to the players goes beyond their career.

Except Antonio Brown. I don’t care if he is on a redemption tour texting Jon Gruden or reaching out to Derek Carr. Dude never played an actual game as a Raiders.

I don’t care if he was the star of hard knocks or last year’s offseason. His feet were too busy healing to ever be of real use for us.

Not to mention, Brown’s accusations of sexual assault, misconduct and all the other off field antics. Sure, people are due process. Yes, mentally ill people should get help. I’m not sure where Brown falls on either of those spectrum but I don’t really care because he is not a Raider in my eyes. The ghost of Al Davis and Jack Tatum should stiff arm him every time he reaches for anything with the Raiders shield on it.

Brown was supposed to be the star of our offense. An offense setup to compete for the Wild Card. They did anyways without his dynamic playmaking or him carrying the bulk of the load and doing the junk underneath work. He let us down, went to the Patriots and laughed in our face. The worst part is, he tried to sue us for our money and didn’t even finish the season with the Patriots or on an NFL roster. Again, a slap or spit or whatever disrespect to the face of the Raiders.

The point is, Antonio Brown was never a Raiders and he needs to stop pretending he was. He should donate whatever free gear he has left from the team last year. Each time he wears it, he is disrespecting the greatness of all the people who wear that iconic symbol every Saturday for decades.

For what it is worth, Randy Moss actually played a few seasons as a Raider. We all remember him saying he wasn’t a Raider before Monday night. Guys like Warren Sapp have had their beef with the fanbase. Many will take a big contract from the team and not talk about their time their even when they do get into Canton. It’s all good though, those guys earned that right having actually worn the Silver and Black. All those guys are more Raiders than A.B. ever was.

Either way, Antonio Brown shouldn’t be wearing Raiders gear. I know it’s just a hat or just fashion but he’s excommunicated from the fraternity of Raiders for sure. So please don’t comment once a Raiders, always a Raiders on the next troll pic Brown posts anywhere near the elements of the Raiders brand.

17 Games

Everybody wants to talk about 17 games as the NFL and NFLPA workout a new contract. That’s cool and all but the two-sides should stop playing and workout a deal for 18-games. We all know that’s what the NFL Owners want, more revenue. They’re gonna keep pushing towards a longer season.

The Players mine as well concede now before we have to change the record books again in ten years. It’s hard enough to add one game to the regular season. That’s why they haven’t messed with the schedules in decades. Thus, if you break what isn’t broken mine as well do it all the way.

The same thing goes for the preseason, the fourth game was already joke. The NFL makes players pay a regular gate price for a game that is usually reserved for the backups. That’s an easy game to cut or get rid of in an effort to concede the preseason in favor of more postseason action and an extra regular season week.

Again, coaches like Sean McVay and teams like the Rams already proved you don’t need any preseason action to begin with. So if you’re gonna change the preseason format that has been intact for a while mine as well cut it in half or get rid of it entirely. That’s what we actually want yet cutting one game just feels like easy and half-ass appeasement again.

Moreover, the new CBA as constructed would also add two more playoff teams total and one more game on each side of the bracket. If the goal is to add more playoff games and team, why don’t they actually do that by extending the field to 8 teams from each conference versus 6 like it is now or 7 under the new CBA.

All seven postseason seeds does is penalize the seven seed. Half of the drama about the division playoffs comes from two teams having a bye facing two teams who did not have a bye. Which team is healthier, hotter and more focused?

Usually it’s the divisional team off the bye. Now, that reward is reserved for only the best team from either conference. The NFL is literally creating a oligopoly each year with one team and everyone else fighting each other.

So again if the goal is to add more playoff teams and games, they should just do that by adding two more teams to the field and doing away with bye weeks period. That’s the winner take all postseason we actually want to see. Move us there instead of making us wait two decades and/or CBA negotiations in the process.

More Raiders Notes on the CBA

Never going to knock anything that might give current Raiders more and pension options or anything that would increase health and pension benefits for former Raiders period.

Lord knows, there are many prominent and lesser known players who gave their heads and bodies for the brand of football the Raiders have always played. Anything that helps them is good for the game of football and the brand of the NFL.

Moreover, there are expected revisions to how the league tests for THC and punishes people caught with the weed ingredient in their drug tests. Let’s not pretend that a team who has played in Cannabis capitals like the Bay and Los Angeles hasn’t had it’s fair share of closet smokers. I’m sure that will continue in Vegas which is gaining its own legal seen so again this is something could benefit for the Raiders.

Not to mention, the added details on players data is going to be good for players and teams. There’s a lot of uncertainty around that as wearables and analytics integrate into teams. The last thing we want is any MLB situation so hopefully players and teams will get educated on these fields. Although I’m not sure how the money splits.

There should also be some added language  about gambling and gambling sponsorships since sports betting is league in a few states and Nevada now hosts an NFL team. I haven’t yet seen anything about that in reports around the CBA but there could be some since it might still get revised.

 

 

Where are They Now? 2019

Here is a fun read for you all to get you through another Super Bowl Sunday without the Raiders. These players wore the Silver and Black at one point in their career. Here’s how they did this past season and a sprinkle of Raiders’ memories.

Latavius Murray, Saints

The Tay Train rushed for over 600 yards and five touchdowns as a primary backup for the Saints. He added over 200 receiving yards and a touchdown after joining New Orleans in free agency via the Vikings. The same Minnesota Vikings that ended his Saints’ run in the playoffs. PFF gave him a 73.9 grade for the season. He still has a few years on his deal.

Mario Edwards Jr., Saints

MEJ finished this year with three sacks eight TFL and a forced fumble across 14 games for the Saints. The 25-year-old spent last season with the Giants after the Raiders parted ways with the 2015 second-round pick.  New Orleans can cut him this offseason with limited dead money or they can keep him for a $3.24 million cap hit.

Taiwan Jones, Texans

The former Raiders running back, corner and special teams player spent this past season with the Houston Texans. He rushed for only 40 yards in 11 games but he made his biggest impact in the wild card round of the playoffs. Jones caught a short pass and took into 34 yards to bring Houston into field goal range in overtime versus Buffalo Wild Card weekend. Jones spent the last few seasons with the Bills even earning special teams captain honors too.

AJ McCaron Texans

McCaron never made a start in his one season with the Raiders last year, after they gave up a late-round pick for him. However, the 29-year-old started week 17 for the playoff-bound Houston Texans. A.J. completed 57 percent of his passes for 225 yards, no touchdowns and an interception versus the Titans.

Gareon Conley, Texans

Conley is the 2017 first-round pick who should’ve been a draft day steal due to some bad circumstances. The OSU product battled injuries with the Silver and Black before they shipped him to the Texans for a third-round draft pick. Conley got 11 passes defended in eight games with the Texans but did not catch an interception. He also added 27 tackles. The 24-year-old improved with the Texans pass rush but PFF gave him an average grade of 63.2 for the season. He will be a free agent after the 2020 season.

Eddie Vanderdoes, Texans

Vanderdoes appeared in only three games for the Texans. The former Raiders third-rounder battled injuries for a couple seasons before the Raiders said peace out. He had eight tackles in those three appearances.

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

Of course, we can’t forget about Marshawn who made headlines coming out of retirement when Seattle desperately needed a running back. Lynch stayed in shape all year. Then he joined Seattle towards the end of the season when all their runners got hurt. Lynch rushed for 34 yards on 12 carries in the regular season, including a TD. He got three TDs in the playoffs but only 33 rushing yards across those two playoff games. Ultimately, he wasn’t enough to help the Hawks beat the Packers in the playoffs.

Neiko Thorpe, Seahawks

Thorpe is in his fourth season with the Seahawks since he and the Raiders parted ways in 2015. Thorpe finished this season on IR after Seattle re-signed him in the offseason. The 29-year-old has mainly been a backup and special teams player the past few seasons.

Obi Melifonwu, Patriots

Practice squad counts? This combine phenom and 2017 second-round pick spent the past two seasons on the Patriots practice squad. They signed him to a reserve contract after the season even though the 25-year-old did not appear in a game last year.

Marshall Newhouse, Patriots

Newhouse spent only the 2017 season as the Raiders starting right tackle. He bounced between Buffalo and Carolina last year but started for the Pats this year. The Saints cut him before the season and Newhouse appeared in 15 games for New England. His playing time tapered off towards the end of the season.  PFF graded him 62.8 across 729 offensive snaps for the Patriots.

Shilique Calhoun, Patriots

Calhoun appeared in 15 games for the Patriots as a standup edge rusher. He registered one forced fumble and 9 tackles. The 2016 third-round pick spent three years with the Raiders before they finally let him walk. he did not play in the final three games or playoff game.

Jared Veldheer, Packers

One of the last great picks of Al Davis, Veldheer joined the Packers late. He only played in two regular seasons game for the Packers. However, he played most of the offensive snaps in the Divisional round versus the Seahawks. The 32-year-old veteran has battled injuries since leaving the Raiders but he is still a solid pro at the final stage of his career.

Stefen Wisniewski, Chiefs

The Wiz Kid was one of Reggie McKenzie’s first draft picks. However, he walked to the Jaguars a few years later. He spent the last few seasons playing guard for the Eagles including their Super Bowl season. The Chiefs picked him up in the middle of the year. He played in limited spots until the final two weeks of the season. He has played a ton in the Chiefs last two contests during the regular season and the two playoff games. He is basically the only former Raiders player in the Super Bowl.

Corey Liuget, Bills

The Raiders signed Liuget after the preseason. He did not get a sack for the Silver and Blak but he did get one along with ten tackles for the Bills in seven games. The former Chargers first-rounder battled a lot of injuries during his time there.

Jon Feliciano, Bills

Feliciano famously said he could start. He got more than $7 million from the Bills in free agency last year to prove that. The 28-year-old played over 900 offensive snaps and got a 64.1 grade from PFF.

Lorenzo Alexander, Bills

This 36-year-old Oakland native spent only the  2015 season with the Raiders. He broke out as a Pro Bowler the next year. The past few years he has bounced in and out of the starting lineup. This year was a down year with only two sacks in 16 games and seven starts. The backer appeared in 48 percent of the Bills snaps which is his lowest percentage since leaving the Raiders. He is a free agent this year.

Lee Smith, Bills

Derek Carr’s former security blanket and expert blocker returned to Buffalo this year. He caught only four passes in five starts across 16 appearances. He did play a ton in the Wild Card game the Bills lost.

Seth Roberts, Ravens

Speaking of Carr’s favorite weapons, Seth Roberts played in 16 games with the Ravens. He caught 21 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 28-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Ravens after the Raiders cut him in the offseason.

Jihad Ward, Ravens

Ward matched his Raiders career sack total in 11 games with the Ravens, registering only one sack. Ward got three last year with the Colts but only stayed three games with them this year. The 25-year-old former Raiders first-rounder is a free agent this offseason.

Justin Ellis, Ravens

Nose tackle Justin Ellis got his walking papers from the Raiders this year. He went on to play in four games for the Ravens this year. Ellis registered six tackles for the year and one in the playoff game versus the Titans. He is a free agent after this season.

Not that you were wondering.

Still, once a Raiders, always a Raiders. Did I miss any?

 

 

 

Playoffs, 2010s and Winning in Denver

The Raiders gave Los Angeles the homecoming and goodbye it deserved with a big win over the Chargers this past Sunday. That plus some help kept them alive in the playoff hunt.

Sometimes when you win, you really lose.

All week I’ve been taking shit for saying the Raiders don’t deserve the playoffs but it is true. Our team isn’t very good on either side of the ball. We haven’t made a ton of adjustments. Injuries do not help either. All the stats prove that.

Nonetheless, I understand why people are in love with the idea of the playoffs. It is an all new season and a chance to keep playing for a Championship.

Still, if the Raiders do not stand a realistic chance, why show up? Just to say we did. It’s Just Win Baby! Not participation trophies.

Sure, if Tennessee and Pittsburgh lose maybe they don’t deserve the playoffs. However, there are already enough wins from the Raiders season that they don’t need one more blowout loss to the Chiefs or Texans to hinder the confidence of their young players. They don’t need that to be the lasting memory pending free agents have.

Instead, I’d rather have the Raiders finish where they are. An 8-8 team with promising prospects over their division with a 4-2 AFC West record assuming they beat the Broncos. That’s enough for me.

You want to sell stumbling into the playoffs off win over the Chargers and Broncos as added value? Nah, I’m good. Raiders got hella picks and a new stadium coming. A Playoff loss ain’t gonna do anything. I’m good on the false hope and failing up.

Let’s take a higher draft pick and go into the offseason with something to prove after missing the playoffs by a game.

The end of a decade

Playoffs or not, the Raiders will play their last game of the 2010s. This decade will go down with the 90s as the only two decades the Raiders never made a Super Bowl.

How will we remember this decade? What will we remember?

It’s fitting the Raiders are ending the decade as a 7-9 or 8-8 team. This decade was really a mixed bag of high expectations, underachieving an chaos. We saw the team figurehead and owner die. We saw four head coaches and two GMs.

We had a plethora of QBs before landing on one. Every other position was pretty much a revolving door of draft picks and bargain free agents. Many of the ones we developed left and few of the ones we signed really developed into anything more than what they were.

The team made the playoffs once, maybe twice if they make it this year. Otherwise, they were basically had no chance every other year.

We are closing out a stadium too. Ending the flooded toilets and baseball field but also saying goodbye to the most unique NFL market and tailgate experience.

Thus, the 2010s was really just a blur. IT was a mixed bag of false hope and just getting by,.

Luckily, the Raiders prospects for the next decade appear to be much higher. We know who the GM, Head coach and home market will be for the foreseeable future. We got plenty of draft picks and cap space. The players are young and the culture is brewing. Peace out 2010s.

Beating the Broncos

The formula for beating the Broncos is going to be the same as any week. The Raiders won last week because their secondary stepped up, they created pressure and their receivers made some plays. Oakland will need all that this week too.

The Raiders secondary will get challenged by Courtland Sutton. He’s big and fast. The Broncos tight ends are also solid.

Upfront, the Raiders got to pressure rookie quarterback Drew Lock. The tougher issue is doing that while also not creating too many cutback seems or running lanes for Phillip Linday or Royce Freeman. We know that Broncos offensive zone scheme too well.

Offensively, the Raiders also got to see if Hunter Renfrow can make good on last week’s performance by doing it again. Denver’s defense is far from the greatness earlier this decade but it is still really good in spots.

The o-line will face Von Miller. Our offensive line is going to need to step up like they did last week, especially since four of the five starters were on the injury report last week. Moreover, the Raiders are going to be without Josh Jacobs. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are playing for contracts and roster spots next year. They did well last week but they need to do it again too.

Ultimately, the Raiders should win this game. Yes, it’s on the road and they are banged up but they have a sizeable advantage at QB. That is if Carr can actually get his life together and win a cold weather game.

Either way, the Raiders need to win this game. Not for the playoffs but for themselves. For their jobs and pride. F the Broncos!

Sticking to the Script versus the Chargers + One Last Goodbye/Homecoming

The Oakland Raiders have to beat the Chargers this week. There is not much to play for this week for either team as both AFC West teams are virtually eliminated from the playoffs. You might even argue that a win here would hurt the team’s draft pick.

However, the Raiders are still a young team. They got to teach their young players that you beat those Bolts and the AFC West no matter what. That is what Raiders fans want, because we hate those long-time rivals. It is also a message that makes business sense if the Raiders want to build a contending culture.

Think about the Pats. They make the playoffs every year partly because their division has been so bad.

Speaking of scripts, we know how this game goes. Chargers special teams or Philip Rivers makes an error that costs the Chargers the game. The Raiders just need to keep themselves in the game so they can capitalize on that error, whatever it is.

That will be challenging with Jacobs and a couple of starting offensive linemen missing the game. That’s why we will once again turn to Derek Carr. The past couple of weeks showed us Carr is not our only hope. However, it is not all his fault.

We also got to see the coaching step up. The Raiders have been so bad in the second half and part of that is coaching. You must adapt and make adjustments or you will get your chain snatched.

One More Awkward Goodbye

Not to mention, this homecoming and a goodbye. The Raiders played an era in Los Angeles. They almost built a stadium where the Rams are building a stadium. They almost linked up with the Chargers to build a stadium. They won a Super Bowl in the Rose Bowl. They reportedly sold 10 percent of their tickets in Vegas too.

“We were born in Oakland, and Oakland will always be part of our DNA,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said by phone this week per the L.A. Times. “But there were some great years in Los Angeles that will also be part of our DNA, and we’ll never forget that.”

Davis also talked about what he learned from the L.A. Raiders and their efforts to relocate:

“I learned a big lesson in L.A. when we were there the last time,” said Mark Davis, in a column this week about the Raiders return. “I was ready to return because I understood the difference of how we approached it when ‘Just win, baby’ was good enough.

I get that Davis is saying it isn’t enough to just show up in a new market and say we’re the NFL team, we’re winning and please support us.

However, Davis is omitting what his fan base wants most. That is winning.

It is not called a commitment to mediocrity or just stan baby. Raiders fans have always been about winning, whether you’re a Panther or Hell’s Angel. Black or White, Raiders Nation always been about winning.

We are all desperate for success, especially in our modern era of draft busts, stadium rumors and coaching mediocrity. It’s been almost twenty years. This decade is going down with the 90s as the only two eras the Raiders did not make a Super Bowl. Damn.

So the Raiders got to do right by L.A. by closing it out with a win even if they couldn’t do that in Oakland. Here is a few exerts from my FullPressCoverage.com op-ed which tied Southern California Raiders fans to their neighbors in the Bay.

We all are sad and feel for Oakland because we know what it is like to watch them leave, we know what it is like for the NFL to ignore us even though we did nothing right and we know what it is like to be in a market without the NFL. Here it is modified to just the blog and opinion part:

Oakland is Home Even For L.A. Raiders Fans

Raiders fans in Oakland aren’t the only ones sad about the Silver and Black leaving their home in the East Bay. Fans from neighboring Southern California know what it is like to lose the Raiders too.

Since the Vegas rumors emerged I’ve taken the stance that the Raiders belong in Oakland here and on various blogs. Yet, I’ve always tried to understand the greatness of the L.A. Raiders. 

Why do so many people across my region follow a team that hasn’t given them a real reason to in almost two decades?

More importantly, would this community follow a team that broke their heart to another new frontier when they have other NFL options, the Chargers and Rams, in closer proximity? 

Oakland is Home

The Oakland Raiders played their final home game in the East Bay on Sunday. It was the day we were dreading since the Silver and Black announced their future plans for Las Vegas a few years ago. 

An already sad occasion got worse when the team lost in the final seconds to a playoff irrelevant Jaguars team. Fans booed, threw trash and showed their disdain for a garbage product that has the audacity to leave them for greener pastures. 

There is no doubt the East Bay will miss the Raiders the most. I’ve always said Oakland is Mecca for Raider Nation. That won’t change. 

Oakland paid for that team to return from L.A. in the 90s and they are still paying for it. The city inspired the team’s names, color and attitude. That community supported the Raiders through their worst decade ever, the 2010s, despite all the constant relocation rumors. 

However, the team leaving their home will be felt throughout Raiders fans, including those fans in the team’s former place of residence, Los Angeles. Oakland is the foundation. 

Since the Vegas rumors emerged I’ve taken the stance that the Raiders belong in Oakland here and on various blogs. Still, I’ve always tried to understand the greatness of the L.A. Raiders and how the presence of two NFL teams, not the Raiders, changes their lives. 

Most of the marketing about the Vegas Raiders surrounds its proximity to both the Bay Area and Southern California. In fact, the stadium’s name rights owner Allegiant Airlines plans for major promotions in those markets to get fans too Raiders games. Vegas is even closer to for Los Angeles drivers L.A. because it is only a 3-4 hour push depending on traffic.  

That doesn’t mean Los Angeles is jumping for joy that their neighbors in the Bay are losing their team to another state. Many forget the Badasses won a Super Bowl XI in the Rose Bowl as the Oakland Raiders. Others forget they are L.A.’s only Super Bowl Champs as the winners of Super Bowl XVIII. You might also remember the current site of the Rams and Chargers SoFi stadium was almost home to the Raiders first. 

Still, Raiders fans in L.A. and Southern Calif., know what it is like to lose their favorite team too. Many people like me didn’t even know what it was like to have an NFL team until a few years ago. 

Southern California’s Connection to the Raiders

A column from the New York Times in 2016 went into the disappointment Raiders fans felt when their team would not return to L.A. because the Rams and Chargers got selected:

“But while Rams fans seemed to go into hibernation during the team’s absence, Raiders fans continued to wear their colors. They remained drawn to their team’s brash play and menacing image even though its performance on the field was often uninspiring. Many Raiders fans in Los Angeles remain attracted to the team’s mystique — its silver and black colors, the pirate logo, the team’s longtime owner, Al Davis, who died in 2011 but who in his prime strutted the sidelines in leather and snubbed his nose at the football establishment.”

An L.A. Times article by Dylan Hernandez described the Raiders return to L.A. in the 2018 preseason. Hernandez said Raiders fans outnumbered Rams fans at least three to one.  

The 19-15 loss was the Raiders first game the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in almost 24 years. 

“Even when the Rams ran out, they were booing them. It definitely made us feel right at home. Truly appreciate them. Wish we could’ve won a game for them.” Former quarterback EJ Manuel said after that preseason game.

Former Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie was at that game too. McKenzie spent his first four years in the NFL as a Los Angeles Raiders linebacker. 

Gilbert Manzano Review Journal said you could hear Raiders fans answer when the P.A. chanted, “Whose house?”

“It just tells you how strong Raider Nation really is,” McKenzie said after that game. “Once a Raider fan, you’re always a Raiders fan. They bleed silver and black.”

“I think the combination of Oakland and L.A. will migrate to those games (in Las Vegas),” McKenzie said when he was still G.M. “I think we’re going to get a true Raiders fan base.”

Head Coach Jon Gruden said it was awesome being back in Los Angeles too. 

“(The Raiders) have history here, a championship history here. There’s still a lot of fans that remember those teams, and rightfully so.” Gruden said after the 2018 exhibition versus the Rams.

Even more recently, a L.A. Times article recently described the L.A. Coliseum or Dignity Healthy Sports park as places where you will see all kinds of team jerseys including Raiders jerseys.

Columnist Arash Markazi wrote that the city has plenty of NFL fans, but many might not call the Rams or Chargers their favorite.

Arash adds: 

“It’s not an indictment on Los Angeles as an NFL city but rather an indictment on the NFL’s failure to understand Los Angeles.”

L.A. will always be a part of the Raiders story whether the NFL recognizes it or not. That’s why it is so sad to witness them ripped from our neighbors in the Bay. 

A NFL.com article from Marc Sessler said it well: 

“And while all this history unfurled successfully for a time in Los Angeles, nothing we imagine and feel about the Raiders would have been possible without Oakland — oft-drowned out by the lights and call of San Francisco, but cut from a cloth utterly unknown to any other gridiron home-front.”

I will always take the stance that the Raiders belong in Oakland. However, I will also always try to understand the greatness of the L.A. Raiders and how two present NFL teams, not the Raiders, changes their lives. 

Nothing Like Oakland

For over 20 years. Los Angeles had no football team. That is not something I wish on my future generations in the Bay. Those circumstances make you vulnerable to Cowboys and Patriots fans because anything is better than rooting for the 49ers. I felt a similar disdain for the Chargers despite their proximity. It was in my blood. 

I chose the Raiders and never regretted it despite the constant Sunday headaches from bad play. Every Raiders tailgate I’ve ever been to in Oakland is among the best days in my life. The people are one of a kind. Having a place where you’re not the only weirdo Raiders fan is an epic experience. 

That will always be in Oakland. There’s nothing like it. You can find it in L.A. if you seek it out. Something similar might grow in Vegas but it won’t be the same.  

Don’t feel too bad for L.A. We have two teams for just about every sport along with Hollywood and tons of entertainment options, including close proximity the Strip and Las Vegas. 

Yet, all of that is not enough for Raiders fans in L.A. to forget about our Raiders whether they’re in Oakland, Vegas or L.A.

You can find just the original reporting portion updated here.

A Goodbye to Oakland and Beating the Jags

Oakland is an Experience

Everyday for the past four years I’ve woken up and looked at the Oakland Coliseum, Alameda Coliseum. O.co or whatever it is called. A few years back someone bought me a picture of the stadium printed on canvas.

It’s a reminder of the place I feel most at home.

Gruden hit it perfect when talking about the Black Hole via an ESPN article earlier this week:

“There’s something about these people. They’re nuts. They’re the closest thing to me that I’ve ever seen. We have that in common.”

You get that feeling throughout the entire Raiders gameday experience. Some of the best days of my life are the Raiders games I’ve gone to.

Last month, My friend and his wife along with me and my pops traveled to the Bay for Oakland’s final Thursday Night Football game versus the Los Angeles Chargers. It was my first night game in the Coliseum and a very tight turnaround from early Thursday A.M. until Friday the next morning.

The tailgate was as great as ever but we had to prioritize trunk space in my sedan over bringing the full BBQ and meat experience. Luckily, one neighbor from Sacramento, Ron, was a butcher. He hooked us up with a cowboy-cut steak large enough for our part of four. The tender meat possessed all sorts of flavor from the charred bone attached and the carmelized fat. It literally made our day.

I’d be lying if I said this is the only time I got help from generous tailgaters at a Raiders game. I can’t recall all the paper towels, lysol wipes, utensils and helpful hands setting up I’ve acquired from literal strangers. There is no tailgate like a Raiders game. UCLA, USC, Rams and more are cool but they are no Oakland.

Tailgating is an uncertainty headed to the new stadium. However, the Oakland tailgating experience was one of a kind. It is something you had to experience whether you were a Raiders fan or not. Sometimes, just being there feels like a win.

The Legend of Oakland 2.0

All week, there’s been great reporting from across the Bay Area. Scott Bair, Vic Tafur, Jerry Richardson, and Paul Gutierrez all taking their own angles on The East Bay’s final home game for the Raiders. Those

Various fans and legends have all talked about their favorite moments and pieces of Raiders history in the Coliseum. Of course most of them revolve around Oakland and Raiders Nation.

Kirk Morrison, hit it on the head with this quote via Gutierrez:

“The positive I took from those years was the fans, always showing up. Being a Raider and being a Raider fan is not about sports; it’s a lifestyle. One that says, ‘We don’t take nobody’s s—.”

For me, that’s what I’ll always remember. The great fans. I did not grow up to see the Badasses. I missed Madden, Tom Flores, Marcus Allen and most of the Raiders greats. Heck, I barely recall the first Gruden and Gannon days.

I will remember Raiders twitter. That time we got #DJAXtoOakland trending. Or the many free agents we tried to tamper with. All the second guessing of Reggie McKenzie.

I’ll remember the one playoff season. The taste of greatness I never really got to experience got delivered by a QB from Fresno St. and former NFL Linebacker turned head coach from Heyward.

I will remember the draft headaches from Jamarcus Russell all the way to D.J. Hayden.

I will remember the bit of home gamebreakers like Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford, Darren McFadden and others gave us. Did we win? Nah, but the only glimpse of hope we had each week came from those guys.

How about standout defensive players like Thomas Howard, Derrick Burgess, Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt or Michael Huff. These alumni might not ever make a Hall of Fame but they’re legends and icons for those of us that never had any.

What about all the veterans that passed through. Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Tuck, Lamar Woodley, Doug Martin, and the list goes on. Sure, we were a blimp in their career but I won’t forget the excitement we sold ourselves.

Remember Charles Woodson’s return? Or the Goat’s final game versus the Chargers on Christmas Eve. Marshawn Lynch’s addition was crazy too in its own way.

Plus, the hoggies like Jared Veldheer, Stefan Wiśniewski or Jon Feliciano. Lamar Houston, Stacy McGee, Desmond Bryant and others we developed through the years. You have to look fondly at those considering all the times we missed.

All the coaches that passed by. Some too early like Hue Jackson and Lane Kiffin. Others too late like Art Shell and Norv Turner.

The man, the myth and legend that was Al Davis patrolling the sideline in his all white and Raiders gear. The bowl cut infamy from Mark Davis that watches from the box these days. They are the foundation of the story too.

Goodbye to Raiders Nation’s Mecca

Good and bad, we leave an era behind today. No matter what the Raiders become it won’t be the same as Oakland.

A NFL.com article described it pretty well.

A pro football team born in the ebb-and-flow fires of the AFL — tinged initially with threats of bankruptcy — only to morph into a rough-and-tumble underdog puncher predestined to permanently rock the 100-year-long storyline of the NFL.

Whatever it means to be a Vegas Raiders fan it won’t be the same as an Oakland or L.A. Raiders fan. Either way, there is not much we can do but say Goodbye to Oakland.

Goodbye to the place that inspired the colors and names of the Raiders. Goodbye to the City that supported the team through nearly two decades of trash play.

Goodbye to the community this renegade team supports and represents. A place significant to culture. A place important to history whether it is the Black Panthers or Hells Angels.

Goodbye to the place that welcomed the Raiders back when they left. Goodbye to the place that welcomed me and Raiders fans from outside of the area every single week.

That’s why this hurts so much. Oakland has been nothing but great to the Raiders. It is not their fault ownership can not front a stadium like Kroenke and the Rams. This is California in 2020 and no team is getting a stadium built with tax paying dollars with homelessness and everything else on our agenda.

So this blow to Oakland is felt throughout Raiders nation because the team is not relevant. The Raiders need a lot of stuff to happen for them to have a craps chance at the Playoffs. It would have been nice to bid the city farewell with one last playoff role.

Instead, Oakland gets gifted one last mediocre season. They got to watch young talent like Maxx Williams and Josh Jacobs flash only to see them blossom in another city and time down the line. It hurts but might only hurt less if the team leaves on a high note. They got to beat the Jaguars for this to be a true Goodbye.

Either way, it will probably feel far less kumbaya and more like Cleveland, Baltimore, Seattle or any of the times a pro team just up and left the community that berthed them.

Ending On a High Note

Back to the game today. Josh Jacobs is expected to play today. You saw what the team is like without him in the second half last week. They needed a playmaker. Jacobs would’ve worn on the Titans by that point in the game.

Oakland needs better QB play. They need to create more pressure upfront. They need better receiver and DB play. These are all things I’ve been screaming for literally every week. Some weeks it has been enough and others it hasn’t come close.

My bet is that it will come closer to enough this week. The Jaguars are in about the same boat as the Raiders. They have some talent, youth and experience. They lack the QB play to get them anywhere near consistent but they are good for a surprise.

The Raiders can not afford to come out slow. They can not afford to mess around because the Jaguars will surprise them. They matchup well especially with their strong defensive line.

Still, the Silver and Black got to bring it together for a win. They got to come out hot and hyped. They better since it is Oakland’s final week as host. For now, all I’m screaming about. Goodbye to Oakland. But I’d like to toast to one more win in the Easy Bay.

 

Carr Stannery and Beating the Titans

Stop the Stanning

It is hard for me to remember an issue more divisive than the future of Derek Carr with the Raiders. For the past year or so I’ve been writing the end is near for Carr and there is not much he can do about it. Carr is a fine enough quarterback, unfortunately, games like the last two weeks show us that he is not elite nor enough to put this young team on his back. That’s OK. It’s a reality.

D.C. will always be my guy. He’s statistically one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history. For the better part of six years, Carr has been our only hope.

However, those days are numbered. It’s not all on Carr but this team doesn’t have the time to wait for Carr to take a leap he should have already taken. This team is already in the middle of a soft rebuild and relocating. Carr might be the captain that steadies this ship but he has taken it as far as he can go. Somebody else is needed to take this team to the promise land.

Nonethless, Carr stannery is weird and unnecessary. I’ve always kind of swam against the mass of Raider Nation, for better or worse. However, Carr is more divisive than Rolando McClain, Kahlil Mack’s trade, Amari Cooper, Aldon Smith, Darren McFadden and the laundry list of issues we argue about.

I get it Carr shows flashes. He has the intangibles. But if it isn’t enough to win on the East Coast, in the cold or over the Chiefs than it does not matter.

The awkward part is the number of fans who would rather enable their favorite quarterback than face the facts.

No where in the Raiders Nation code of ethics does it say commitment to solid or good. It does not say just be mediocre baby.

The Raiders need to win and that starts with their signal-caller. Fans don’t need to PR or defend Carr. He is a grown-ass man, paid a ton of money. He knows how this game works. Carr saw his older brother go through it. He knows he is accountable and his win, loss record is not where it needs to be.

Granted Carr could turn everything around with a good game and by winning out. If Carr makes the playoffs he will certainly buy himself more time as the Silver and Black franchise player.

Either way, it might not be enough to erase the fact he is closer to game manager than an elite QB.

Win or Go Home versus Titans

Speaking of making it happen, Carr and the entire Raiders need a show out. Oakland still has a long shot at the playoffs if they win out. That is all void if they do not beat Tennessee first. The Titans are ahead of them in the standings.

It won’t be an easy feat. The Titans are running the ball well with Derrick Henry. Their offensive line is physical. Ryan Tannehill is playing well. The defense is sleeper good, especially if Harold Landry is drawing Brandon Parker as a consistent matchup at right tackle.

Still, Tennessee is beatable. They also draw the Saints and Texans twice so they are far from a lock for the playoffs.

This is a prime opportunity for the Raiders to redeem themselves. Their playoff hopes were looking good before that huge loss the the Jets. Now they are back at home and playing one of the hottest team’s in the league.

A win on Sunday could give the Raiders the confidence they need headed into a final playoff push.

It is going to take their defensive line having a huge game. Oakland’s defense has been my key for basically the entire season. Break out games for the unit like versus the Chargers result in wins.

Even average games aren’t enough when the offense struggles like they have the past two weeks. The defense has actually been solid enough to win the past two weeks. Too bad the offense put them in many bad spots and did no favors.

Still, the defensive line needs to force Tannehill into bad throws. They got to stay discipline too because one bad move and Henry is cutting it back to the house.

On offense, it is clear Josh Jacobs can’t do everything. He had a major game versus the Chiefs but it was not good enough largely due to bad play by Derek Carr and all the Raiders receivers.

Carr needs help from someone not named Jacobs or Waller. He needs one of his receivers to make a big play down the field.

Ultimately, the Raiders are built to pound the football and throw it deep to their receivers. That requires Carr to not turn the ball over as well as receivers getting separation and making a catch.

In the end, the Raiders will need Derek Carr to make a play. He should be able to outplay Ryan Tannehill at home with the season on the line. But if he doesn’t we might be having a different conversation next week.

It would be great if the Raiders could get both sides of the ball playing up to par at the same time. That’s what we need to do to beat the Titans and have any shot at the playoffs.

 

 

Time for the Carr to rev versus the Chiefs

The do or dies add up. It is getting dramatic saying if Carr doesn’t perform this week this it.

The truth is, Carr is playing well enough. He completes 70 percent of his passes and he posses all the intangibles you need in a QB, Carr has led his fair share of game-winning drives and is usually good for more touchdowns than interceptions.

However, Carr has only beaten the Chiefs twice in his career and one time in Arrowhead. Carr and Gruden need to prove their offense can play to the standard Mahomes and Reid are setting for the AFC West in Kansas City.

Carr and the Raiders could turn around their entire season and playoff hunt with a win over the Chiefs. No one is going to give them a chance but remember the Raiders came out strong with a 21-point lead in the first half.

The Chiefs offense showed up and they rallied. The Raiders and Carr need to show that same poise and will to beat the Chiefs.

Unfortunately, Carr will remind you it is a team game. Oakland will need a great team performance if they want to have a chance.

The Raiders won’t have the advantage on offense since the Chiefs receivers are much more dynamic. Oakland does have an advantage at running back with Josh Jacobs and their tight end Darren Waller is pretty good too.

Carr will need to lean on that in this game. His offensive line is going to need to come up big as well.

Neither defense is very good though. That means the Raiders will need Carr and the offense to manage the Chiefs defense as well as match them.

If everything goes right, in a perfect world, the game could very well come down to a Carr needing to orchestrate a perfect drive or complete a perfect throw.

And that is when the spotlight will again shine on Carr. Carr is going to need to show up big if the Raiders have any shot.

If D.C. can’t pull through that might be the beginning to the end. He already got yanked last week as his whole team did not show up versus the Jets. Expect Carr to catch even more blame if the Raiders don’t look competitive this week.

Win or lose, it won’t be all Carr’s fault. Nonetheless, Carr might catch all the blame if he is not enough to help the team win. Fair or not those do or dies add up and the final sum might be this week’s AFC Championship.