Well, you can erase that misleading title I came up with in the Q-by-Q post. In case nobody is aware, the Raiders have signed another 1-year lease extension at the Coliseum, allowing the team to stay in Oakland for at least one more year. But other than that, I’m still pretty angry about the Raiders allowing that TD. You can’t consider that garbage points because it opened up some opportunity for the Bills to potentially win it on a field goal, but it’s a good feeling to win the last home game of the season, especially since there’s uncertainty where the Oakland Raiders go from here once their lease extension at the Coliseum is up.
The Positives
Derek Carr, 17 of 34 passes, 214 yards, 2 TDs. Without question, Derek Carr is the franchise QB of the future. Like I said time and time again, it’s been rough for him, he doesn’t have enough help, he had the toughest schedule to cope up with and the piled up with his naysayers crying for Matt McGloin to start or ridiculously saying “bring Pryor back.” However, Carr is taking those baby steps and it has showed against Kansas City on Thursday Night, in the Battle of the Bay game, and now this game. Here, he learned when to perform in the clutch when the game is too close for comfort. The Bills are within two, Carr answers with a long bomb to Holmes and sets up a TD pass to Olawale to give the defense a nine point cushion.
Kenbrell Thompkins, 5 receptions, 90 yards. I’m surprised a competent team like the Patriots let him go just like that. Anyway, Thompkins had his best game as a receiver for the Raiders after basically being extraneous in the offense since being claimed off waivers. Thompkins’ 50 yard catch from Derek Carr set the tone on what kind of game he’s going to have and he stepped up big time when other receivers can’t make a play.
Andre Holmes, 3 receptions, 73 yards. Though Thompkins had the best game out of all the receivers, Holmes stepped it up when it mattered the most. Derek Carr was pretty much running away from the heat and just heaved it to Holmes to move the chains into Buffalo territory. Holmes may not have done much, but his jump ball catch was huge to keep the Bills on their heels.
Linebackers. Khalil Mack had 3 solo tackles, 1 assist tackle, and a sack, and he was getting pressure in Kyle Orton’s face and stuffing the run game. If this season so far does not give Khalil Mack Defensive Rookie of the Year with the way he has performed all season long, then the NFL truly hates us. Miles Burris was everywhere also, racking up 11 solo tackles and 2 assist tackles. I’m still not sold on Burris being the “Mike” linebacker, he’s better off on the outside. Ray Ray Armstrong also stepped up and had a pretty good game.
The Negatives
Missed Red Zone opportunities. The margin of victory would’ve been a lot bigger if it weren’t for those missed red zone opportunities. We’re lucky none of those red zone opportunities that the Raiders missed didn’t cost them in the long run and neither did the missed Janikowski field goal as well. That serves a life lesson to score touchdowns and not field goals, you never know when your most reliable kicker will miss it in crucial times when needed. I’m just saying, probably the only negative I will note up. The defense played solid until the Bills’ final drive. We could be talking a bigger margin of victory rather than a victory on a safety lead.
Conclusion
Well, we got another win, but I don’t know how this shakes up our position in the draft. Considering the Jets, Titans, and Bucs are still at 2 wins and the Jaguars also got their 3rd win. No matter what happens to our spot, I just hope Amari Cooper is still available on the board. I know we have many other needs, but we need a playmaker to take off some pressure from our receivers. Nonetheless, great win and the Raiders stay in Oakland for one more year. Get something done! I’ll see you guys for the Denver game next week. Stay tuned for the quick recap of the Lakers-Kings game today.
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