NFL
December 18, 2019 — Sunday was the final home game in Oakland for the Raiders, and they left with a bang. Not a positive bang. A negative one that reminded the fans we are still in a transition period.
I’m going to try to keep this article less emotional and more analytical, so please excuse me if I go off a little bit here and there.
The Raiders in a few words:
Derek Carr, $125 million contract.
2016, playoff-bound with a 12-4 record (tied with the Chiefs)
2019, lost to the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS with 1:38 left in the fourth after a full-game lead.
Carr has indeed changed over the years. After his injury in 2016, his playing style has become a little safer. His performance against the Titans (262 yards, 2 TD, 25/34 completed) last week was FAR better than his performance against the Jags (267 yards, 1 TD 22/36 completed). Both home games. Both new-ish QBs (aside from Ryan Tannehill just dominating offensively).
Carr has lost that aggressive persona, and it shows. He used to be as stealthy as the next rookie QB and dart through openings in the defense. Now, we can count on him falling back in the pocket and losing yards, forcing the team to punt.
I don’t agree with this (even though I am as upset as the next hopeful Raider fan), but you can see the BLACK HOLE booing Carr as he left their loss against the Jags:
https://twitter.com/StanfordVoice/status/1206366895563132929
Next Steps
The hopes of competing in the playoffs this season have now fizzled away, and the Raiders will begin their new 2020 season in Las Vegas with HOPEFULLY some offensive adjustments. Will Carr be one of those? If the mock drafts circling the internet become accurate, then the Raiders have an early teen-round pick and could use that for a reliable QB. But let’s face it: since AB ruined every relationship he possibly could this year (thanks for nothing), we will likely replace him with a reliable WR1 to assist Tyrell Williams.
You know how the tortoise beat the hare because he took his time, and the hare burnt out in the end? That’s how I feel the Raiders offense begins and ends their games.
Fun fact:
#Raiders have been outscored by league-worst 81 points in 3rd quarter this season. That's the 2nd worst for any team thru 14 games since 2000, trailing only the minus-85 for the 2012 Raiders
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 16, 2019
Their third-quarter performance needs help, and it has to come from Jon Gruden’s play calling. Okay, enough hate on the Raiders.
Farewell to the bay
It’s sad to see two Bay Area teams leave the Bay Area (if you’re not from here, 49ers new stadium is in Santa Clara which is NOT in the Bay Area AT ALL.)
Because they have built a brand new impeccably beautiful stadium in Las Vegas, the Raiders have found a new home in the dry, party filled desert, and have left the Raider fan base in Oakland forever. (Unless everyone chooses a new team next year :P)
My family has attended Raider games since before I could remember, and I’m so blessed to have been a part of one of the DOPEST fan bases in the country. So long Raiders…if I go to a Vegas game. Oh who am I kidding, I love Vegas.
