After a disappointing 27-24 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 8, the Oakland Raiders once again find themselves staring up from a hole as they look to climb back into the playoff race.
The Raiders defense looked great in spurts, as they were able to generate some pressure on Deshaun Watson as they notched three sacks. The Texans quarterback, however, proved to be too much as he was able to extend plays with his legs and burned Oakland with several beautiful throws, including a touchdown to Darren Fells after he was inadvertently kicked in the face.
Derek Carr has continued his solid play during the 2019 NFL season as he threw for 285 passing yards and three touchdowns. He was aided by the return of Tyrell Williams, who picked up right he left off as he finished the afternoon with three catches for 91 yards, and a touchdown.
The Raiders have looked good on offense which is surprising given they had to retool their system after Antonio Brown was released prior to the beginning of the season after several incidents with the front office. The wide receiver has not been able to find a new home after accusations of sexual assault surfaced, but he has not remained quiet as he took to his Twitter to give his thoughts on Carr and why things didn’t work out in Oakland:
He cool great person truly just wish he had more say so inregards of things but he didn’t want AB it’s a lot that comes with it ! I even bought em a Rolex wonder does he know what time it is he probably never put it on tell em send it to BRADY https://t.co/dXahnZ3LOZ
— AB (@AB84) October 26, 2019
The bad blood Brown harbors toward the Raiders has also apparently not subsided as he completely shot down any talk of him returning to the Silver and Black:
Not now not never https://t.co/eX0wcTHZ48
— AB (@AB84) October 26, 2019
The former Raider and New England Patriot was nothing short of a headache this season given his off-the-field antics and later his legal situation. These tweets are also doing him no favors if he truly does intend to play again at some point.
Brown figured to be the central figure in Jon Gruden‘s West Coast-style offense as he is a prolific route runner with the speed and footwork to create separation while also possessing some of the most reliable hands in the league. Carr might have been able to recreate some of the deep-passing success he has had in the past with Brown, but we will never know given how things shook out.
Despite the losing record, Gruden and the front office were wise to release Brown as he would have drawn too much unnecessary attention throughout the season. It is one of the rare situations where they definitely gained more by losing.
