Raiders in midst of yet another late-time collapse

A promising start to the year followed by a December collapse.

Mentor Jon Gruden’s 3rd season back again on the sideline for the Raiders is searching a ton like his second right after they fell for the fourth time in the earlier 5 games with a 30-27 overtime reduction to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday evening.

Immediately after beginning the year 6-3, the Raiders blew a late guide at residence to Kansas City, received blown out at Atlanta, required a last-2nd miracle to conquer the winless Jets and then lost again-to-back again home video games to Indianapolis and the Chargers.

It’s a sample that is equivalent to last time when they started out 6-4 only to lose five of their final 6 video games to miss out on out on the postseason.

The Raiders have not formally been eradicated from playoff contention but their chances are on everyday living support. They would require to gain the ultimate two game titles and then have a entire collection of other situations adhere to, which include multiple losses by many other contenders.

“Anybody that does not assume we’re even now in this is mistaken, and we need some items to go our way,” Gruden mentioned Friday. “It would assist if some of these officiating phone calls would go our way also, but we acquired to keep actively playing. We got to obtain a way to earn our eighth game. If we can win our eighth activity and get a very little assist all-around the league, we can continue to be in till the last 7 days of the year like we have been last calendar year.”

Now the concern will be who will start out at quarterback in people online games just after Derek Carr left in the very first quarter with a groin harm that leaves him as a “50-50” proposition to perform following 7 days towards Miami, in accordance to Gruden.

Marcus Mariota experienced an amazing Raiders debut, throwing for 226 yards and a landing and operating for 88 yards and an additional score.

“What Marcus did past evening was magnificent,” Gruden explained. “When this child is nutritious, this man is a distinctive playmaker and I consider he proved it final night time.”

But he also had a late interception in regulation and was unable to punch it in on the opening push of extra time as the Raiders settled for a discipline aim, opening the door for the Chargers to drive for the sport-profitable TD.

What’s Doing the job

Passes to Darren Waller. The Raiders limited stop when once again had a major recreation, catching nine passes for 150 yards and a TD. That follows up a 200-property, two TD efficiency two weeks ago in opposition to the Jets. Waller joins Hall of Famers Shannon Sharpe (two times) and Kellen Winslow (at the time) and former Raider Todd Christensen (when) as the only TEs with a pair of 150-lawn video games in the similar season. Waller’s 425 yards obtaining the past 3 games are the most at any time in a three-sport span for a limited close.

WHAT Wants Help

Go hurry. The Raiders at the time again failed to create any regular stress from the quarterback in what has been a recurring problem all season. They experienced only just one sack and experienced only a handful of quarterback hits. Maxx Crosby has long gone five straight games without having a sack and seems to be carrying down while actively playing 82% of defensive snaps.

Stock UP

Mariota. Mariota hadn’t noticed the industry all period given that signing a contract that confirmed him $7.5 million for 2020. But he quickly shook off rust and showed why Tennessee made him the No. 2 in general decide in the 2015 draft. He turned the only participant to document at least 200 yards passing and a TD, and 50 yards hurrying and a TD in a video game he did not commence given that at least 1948.

Stock DOWN

Trayvon Mullen. The next-calendar year cornerback experienced been a single of the couple of vivid spots on defense this year but experienced a forgettable night towards the Chargers. He was penalized four instances, the most in a activity for a solitary Raiders player in four years, and was beaten in protection as very well.

Wounded

WR Hunter Renfrow is in the concussion protocol following obtaining damage in the activity. … Gruden expects WR Henry Ruggs to return to exercise late next 7 days from the COVID-19 list and is hopeful DE Clelin Ferrell, LB Nicholas Morrow, CB Damon Arnette and S Johnathan Abram can return following missing the game with accidents.

Essential Quantity

.377. That is Gruden’s career winning proportion in December as his workforce as soon as once more is falling apart late in the season. Of the 81 coaches in the Tremendous Bowl period who have coached additional than 25 December games in the normal period, Gruden’s 23-38 history gives him the sixth worst profitable proportion in the thirty day period.

Subsequent Steps

Host Miami on Dec. 26.