The Oakland Raiders were able to continue their perfect road record with a 30-24 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now at 5-0 on the road this season, the team returns home for a division-leading battle against the 6-2 Denver Broncos.
Quarterback Derek Carr led the way, completing 40 of his 59 passes for 513 yards and four touchdowns. However, no pass was bigger than the game-sealing one with just under two minutes left in overtime.
With 1:55 left, the Raiders held the ball at the Buccaneers 42-yard line on fourth down, needing four yards to extend the drive.
The Raiders had four wide outs lined up on the outside, which Carr trusts when the game is on the line. After he snapped the ball he threw a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Seth Roberts, who corralled the catch and turned on the jets.
Two Buccaneers then went in for the tackle of Roberts, only for them to collide with each other. Credit needs to be given to Roberts, as he kept his body upright and stayed on his feet after the contact and burst open for the 42-yard touchdown.
After the game, Roberts stated that he was prepared for the moment and was confident in his abilities, via Kyle Martin of Raiders.com:
“I was just prepared man, and ready to get it over with. I felt like I could beat those guys out there, and we all felt like that it. We were just ready to put it away and get back to the Bay, and get ready for Denver.”
The 25-year-old receiver had had a knack for making big catches this season, as he been the surprise threat while playing alongside Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. Often noted as the forgotten receiver, Roberts remains determined to demonstrate how valuable he is to this Raiders team.
While Roberts was crowded by his pumped up teammates after the game, the wide out gave credit to head coach Jack Del Rio for having the team prepared. In another East coast showdown, Roberts stated Del Rio implemented a simple principle for them to succeed:
“Most definitely, we just got off the field a few minutes ago because Del Rio said, ‘get your rest.’ I know that’s positive and a big key, the traveling and time difference, it’s crazy. Last night I really got a good rest and woke up this morning feeling good.”
On the season, Roberts now has hauled in 22 receptions for 245 yards and four touchdown catches. Roberts also was the key receiver in the Week 1 victory over the New Orleans Saints. With the team down seven, Carr connected with Roberts on a 10-yard touchdown, which set up the game-winning two-point conversion to Michael Crabtree.
The Raiders improved their record to 6-2 on the season, in a tie with the Broncos for first place in the AFC West. The Raiders now return to the Oakland Coliseum after spending two straight weeks in Florida, with their next four games at home.
