It’s about dang time that Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden starts getting some credit around here, alright? The coach who is more often found in meme form than he is receiving his due has taken a team injured at every level and led them through a gauntlet of an opening half-season with a borderline miraculous 4-4 record.
The latest? A win against the Detroit Lions in which the Raiders did just enough to squeak out the victory after the Lions’ final drive stalled at the 1-yard line with just a couple of ticks left on the clock. So, as always, having re-watched the game, here are my takeaways:
Derek Carr Straight Slingin’ It
This might not have been Derek Carr‘s best game statistically, but in every other facet it’s hard to imagine him playing much better. Despite missing center Rodney Hudson and losing tackle Trent Brown just minutes into the game, Carr handled the rush (and a handful of low snaps) to perfection — finishing 20-of-31 for 289 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
But honestly? That doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. I mean, just look at these throws:
Gruden has done a good job of stacking Hunter Renfrow to give him free releases. He picks up a first down on an F-Drag with a tough contested catch. Great ball placement by Derek Carr to give him a chance. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/0Go5eIXQ2W
— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) November 3, 2019
Going to need to check the film but Derek Carr’s ball placement has looked on point today. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/s03rJJUIR8
— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) November 3, 2019
Gorgeous throw by Derek Carr to Marcel Ateman pic.twitter.com/bAWQepiGem
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) November 4, 2019
Dude……#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/21rGZyHQCe
— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) November 3, 2019
Derek Carr and Hunter Renfrow are starting to gel. It’s going to be a great Silver and Black combination for a long time. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/jm2IudSPuw
— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) November 3, 2019
Insane. People have questioned and doubted Carr for the past 12 months — and I’m not even saying it was unfair — but how anyone who is even remotely open-minded could say this guy doesn’t have what it takes to be the quarterback of the Raiders moving forward is beyond me.
Defense plays opportunistic football, barely survives
I said in my preview that turnovers were going to be especially important for a Raiders defense that has struggled (to put it lightly). Well? They came up with two turnovers backed up against their own end zone, and that was the difference in this one.
Besides the turnovers, though? WOOF.
I’ve never seen a team give up more big yardage plays when it feels like they’ve finally put themselves in a decent position. Maybe I’m alone, but I’d rather the defense face a third-and-four than a third-and-thirteen because it just feels like the big play is right around the corner.
This group is obviously young and banged up, so there are some legitimate excuses for defensive coordinator Paul Guenther — but if this team is serious about making a darkhorse push for the playoffs this unit needs to tighten up a bit.
Karl Joseph, defensive play of the season
With one play left, the Lions were at Oakland’s 1-yard line and I’m imagining there wasn’t a whole lot of optimism within the Coliseum about whether the Raiders defense could get the stop they need.
After a play-action fake, Stafford rolled left and was pressured by rookie Clelin Ferrell before launching a ball towards the back of the end zone where tight end Logan Thomas was waiting. Thomas, who is 6’7″, did his best to box out the 5’9″ Karl Joseph — but to no avail, as the latter put his body on the line, essentially executing a front-flip while knocking the ball away to clinch the Raider victory.
After letting one slip away in Houston last week, the Raiders desperately needed this one — and Joseph made the play when he needed to.
Offense was really good — but far from perfect
With 14:52 left in the game, the Raiders took a 24-17 lead thanks to a nice link-up between Carr and rookie tight end Foster Moreau. On the next two defensive drives, the Raiders did what they needed to do and forced a pair of punts — the first two Detroit punts of the game.
Now, with the ball back, all the offense needed to do was run some clock, score some points and finish this game off. Except….they didn’t.
The first drive lasted just three plays and netted -7 yards while running off a total of 1:23. The second? Three plays, seven yards and 1:29 off the clock.
This led to Detroit getting the ball back and marching down the field to tie the game. But just think, the Raiders defense, which has been brutal finally gets two stops in the fourth quarter and the offense just couldn’t capitalize. That cannot happen.
Part of the problem I think was the running game wore down in the second half, gaining just 44 yards on 14 attempts after halftime. When you consider that the offensive line was down two key pieces, that makes some sense — but it definitely made closing this game out harder than it needed to be.
Next up: Chargers on a short week
We’ll have a full preview coming later this week, but let’s just say this game doesn’t feel as easy as it did 48 hours ago. The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off an utterly dominating performance against the Green Bay Packers — bringing their record to 4-5 on the season before they travel up north for a Thursday night matchup.
