The Las Vegas Raiders have officially been eliminated from postseason contention with their last-second 26-25 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.
Although the Raiders were already desperate for a win going into this pivotal matchup, the was their last chance to keep their postseason hopes alive. They have now been eliminated after losing five out of their last six games to put the finishing touches on yet another second-half collapse.
Las Vegas had every opportunity to put the finishing touches on a big win. Tight end Darren Waller did all he could with five catches for 112 yards to secure his second straight 1,000-yard campaign.
After Miami managed to tie things up at 16 with a field goal, quarterback Derek Carr quickly responded with an 85-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Unfortunately, a missed extra point from kicker Daniel Carlson would ultimately prove to be quite costly down the line as the Dolphins answered back with a big play of their own from running back Myles Gaskin and the successful PAT to take a 23-22 lead.
The Raiders managed to regain control thanks to a defensive pass interference call on cornerback Byron Jones that put the ball at the 22-yard line. Rather than go for the touchdown, head Coach Jon Gruden opted to run the clock down before settling for a field goal from Carlson to go up 25-23 with 19 second left in the game.
Gruden’s decision would prove to be quite costly as Miami moved within field goal range due to a 41-yard gain by wide receiver Mack Hollins that was supplemented by a 15-yard facemark penalty on defensive end Arden Key. Kicker Jason Sanders was able to put the nail in the coffin with a 44-yard field goal to secure the victory and keep their respective playoff hopes alive.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, this is more of the same as they have only made the postseason once since 2002. Gruden will have his work cut out for him this offseason as he looked to return this storied organization to prominance.
