It must sting for the Las Vegas Raiders to have to see their AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs appear in yet another Super Bowl.
The Chiefs are making an appearance in Super Bowl LVII after winning a thrilling game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. It’s another reminder of how far the Raiders are from contending even in their own division.
Besides Kansas City, Las Vegas also has to contend with the Los Angeles Chargers who made the Wild Card Round but inexplicably blew a 27-point lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There was some controversy late in that game as Joey Bosa looked like he might’ve been held, but officials decided not to throw a flag. The Jaguars would go on to score and send the Chargers home with yet another heartbreaking loss.
Bosa was irate with the no-call and was seen fuming on the sidelines, something that Maxx Crosby called him out for on an appearance on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast as transcribed by Austin Nivison of CBS:
“A couple games ago when the f—ing dude had a meltdown blaming the refs,” Crosby said. “I see dudes blaming the refs. ‘Oh, o-linemen hold all the time!’ I’ll never be that guy, bro. S-t like that is so weak to me. I know. I get held all the time, bro. You watch the Rams last drive against us where I was getting literally tackled, but I’m not gonna go and double down and look like a little f—ing crybaby. That’s not me.”
Officials aren’t perfect and will miss calls every now and then, though it must be frustrating for players like Bosa not to get a call in his favor in such a pivotal moment of a game. Wins and losses often come down to the margins, and a holding penalty there might’ve saved Los Angeles’ season.
However, to Crosby’s point, he has also been on the wrong end of a no-call before yet seems to have the mental fortitude to keep playing and not throw tantrums at referees. It’s a credit to him that he’s able to remain focused on the task at hand, though there may come a point where complaining is warranted.
Regardless, both Crosby and Bosa will be sitting at home forced to see their shared rival playing in yet another Super Bowl. That should serve as enough motivation for the two of them when the 2023 season rolls around.
