HAIL HENRY (Ruggs)! Just when I was about to witness another chapter in Silver and Black infamy at the idea of losing to the 0-11 Jets. I'd like to think that the Jets remembered that they're tanking for Trevor Lawrence and just handed the game over to the Silver and Black.
This is arguably the worst best game for the Raiders. Even if it resulted in a win, this still felt like a loss. I haven't been this bipolar in a win since 2016 Tampa Bay when the Raiders set an NFL record for penalties in a game, but they still won. That's how this game went down.
Let's talk some positives. Have yourself a game Darren Waller! He carved up the suspect Jets defense with 13 receptions, 200 yards, 2 TDs. He should've had more because they did not have an answer for him.
Defensively, it was yet another bipolar performance. But, one player that stood out was Clelin Ferrell with 2 strip sacks. I've been critical of Ferrell as a top 5 pick. But he showed out today even if it was against a bad Jets team. They were able to get to Sam Darnold. But in the 2nd half, the run defense got gashed. The Jets running game has been non-existent. But, some guy named Ty Johnson went off with 104 rushing yards and 1 TD on 22 carries.
Let's discuss that final possession. The Raiders had a failed 4th down conversion. A Carr pass to Renfrow was called back due to offsetting penalties. Next play, they failed to convert. On a 3rd down run play, the refs signaled that the runner stayed inbounds, so that wasted precious time for the Raiders. Carr overshoots Nelson Agholor for a potential game-winning TD. Agholor had a couple of solid catches, but he didn't show up in the clutch. But, it was the rookie Henry Ruggs III with the miraculous 46-yard TD catch! Keep in mind, he made a costly fumble that allowed the Jets to take the go-ahead TD. But, he redeemed himself with the game-winning play.
That play is gonna be talked about for awhile. The Jets dialed a blitz on Carr and left the corner on an island against the speedy Ruggs. They can't lose that #1 pick, especially since Jacksonville lost to Minnesota after this game unfolded. If that is not the sign of a tanking team of throwing the game away, it's gotta be this game.
By kickoff, I was dumbfounded that Carlson didn't kick it deep and it allowed the Jets to get one more play into the end zone. This game was all kinds of weird, but the Raiders keep their playoff hopes alive. But, at what cost? It becomes more obvious after this game that this team is a fringe playoff team at best. Struggling against a tanking team is not a good sign. But, it is what it is. Raiders keep hope alive and this win was huge with Miami and Indy winning today as well. The Raiders still have yet to play those two, which will have playoff implications at stake. Indy next week is going to be a tough one. Good defensive line and a familiar rival QB comes back to the AFC West. I'll see you guys next week for that game.
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