With the Oakland Raiders coming away with a victory against the Denver Broncos in Week 12, the AFC West title race has gotten more interesting. At 5-6, the Raiders have a realistic shot at winning their division despite their inconsistent 2017 NFL season performance.
The biggest news out of Oakland recently has been Michael Crabtree and his suspension from the NFL. Crabtree was involved in an altercation with Aqib Talib that landed them both two-game suspensions.
However, the NFL later decided to reduce their suspensions to just one game and according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Crabtree said the fight was not planned:
The league said it was premeditated on my part,” Crabtree said in his phone interview with Vic Tafur. “You know what premeditated is? When you say you’re going to do something, do it, and then laugh about it with the media after the game. Like (Talib) did last year. That’s all on him. I’m not trying to get revenge. I’m trying to get a catch in my 122nd straight game and help my team win a big game. I don’t want to get kicked out. I know what’s at stake for my team.”
A two-game suspension seemed excessive after both players were ejected from the game, but fortunately Crabtree’s will now only miss one game. Still, his loss will hurt given Amari Cooper’s uncertain status.
With Crabtree out for Week 13 against the New York Giants, Derek Carr will likely lean on Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson to fill the void. The silver and black should win this game against a reeling New York team.
