The Oakland Raiders looked like they were going to be the victors against the Houston Texans this past Sunday after creating a sizable lead early. But as the game unfolded, it became clear that they had no answer for Deshaun Watson, and he wound up leading the Texans to a 27-24 comeback victory.
Although he had a good game from a statistical standpoint, Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams feels he could have done more to help the team earn a victory. Williams finished the game with 91 yards on just three receptions, all coming in the second half of the game.
Williams did have a crucial dropped pass late in the contest. The long pass looked like a catch from the broadcast view, but upon further review, it was clear that Williams could not hold onto the ball as he hit the ground. Williams knew what went wrong and hopes to correct it, via Scott Blair of NBC Sports Bay Area:
“I just have to come down with it,” Williams said “I have to be strong with it at the point of contact. It’s as simple as that.”
Williams did record one touchdown in his first game played in four weeks, his fifth of the season. Plantar fasciitis has held him on the sideline since Week 4, but having him back on the field gives the Raiders some much needed vertical depth.
Although there is no telling what the Raiders could have done had Williams caught that pass, it certainly would have given them another shot at a touchdown. Even a field goal could have tied the game up and put the pressure on the Texans. Instead, they had to punt it away allowing the Texans to run the clock down for the victory.
Williams understands that that catch was crucial to success and hopes to work on little things like that:
“I’ll look back at this game and see missed opportunities for myself,” Williams said. “I just have to make those plays on that last drive. There are easy fixes. I just have to make those plays.”
While the Raiders have gotten by fine without contributions from Williams thanks to the brilliance of Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs, both players did not have their best games in Week 8. Waller recorded just 11 yards on two receptions despite being targeted eight times and Jacobs has been dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him to be limited, recording just 81 total yards from scrimmage.
As long as Williams and Waller stay healthy, the Raiders aerial game should excel. Derek Carr will have a number of options to work with, and of course, there is little you can do to stop Jacobs when he is healthy. The Raiders finally return home this Sunday, taking on the 3-3-1 Detroit Lions as they look to get back on track.
