Raiders Opinion: The Key In Striking Balance

              Over the last two seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders have remained perfectly steady as a balanced offense. Both the 2019 and 2020 NFL seasons showcased a Raider throwing for 4,000 yards and another rushing for 1,000. Now to the “major milestone” folks, both of these stats are about 1,000 yards away from a truly remarkable milestone. Additionally, neither Derek Carr nor Josh Jacobs seems to be clamoring to make charges to reach those incredibly lofty goals.

 Settled Numbers

  In their current state, the Raiders frankly do not give quarterbacks and running backs much of an option to pursue these goals anyway. Coincidentally, Carr and Jacobs will both tell anyone who asks that it has never been about the stats, but about winning. In a bit of a good news/bad news situation, one of these players will get closer to reaching their next major milestone, and in 2021, that person is Derek Carr.

Upswing

  Carr’s forecasted boost is no slight on Jacobs, as the third-year running back runs like a bat out of hell every time he gets a carry, but this feels like the year coach Jon Gruden gets sick of being average. However, with the new and constantly improving defense making great strides, this could be an opportunity to slightly dial back the offense and rely a bit more on defense, but that mindset is nonexistent with pressure mounting for Gruden to perform.

Aggression?

  This year feels like the year Gruden slams down the accelerator and instills an “all out” mentality on both sides of the ball. After all, what does he have to lose? Each year that the Raiders hover around .500, Gruden’s 10-year deal sours a bit more. Over the years, Carr has shown that he is not the type to throw heaps of interceptions. Henry Ruggs has showcased his incredible speed and Darren Waller has proven to be a matchup nightmare. Hunter Renfrow comes through in the spotlight and perhaps John Brown simply needed a change of scenery.

Truth

  At this point, the Raiders going 8-9 and 3-14 under Gruden is the same: missed playoffs and another disappointment. Despite the annual echoing of “playoffs or bust,” a failure this season feels like the first one that will turn the rage normally sent Gruden’s way towards Mark Davis for not getting Gruden out. Remember Jack del Rio going for two against the New Orleans Saints to seal the game in Week 1 of 2016? Where has that been with Gruden? Where are the aggression and fire?

Analysis

    I refuse to believe this is a cash grab for Jon Gruden. He says he wants to win in the Silver and Black and his actions off the field reflect that. But his play-calling and in-game decision-making seem like he might be content to collect his massive paycheck and coast to the offseason. This upcoming season is the season to show the NFL he still has some magic left. The offense is the best it has been in quite some time and the defense is young, aggressive, and improving. There is no reason the Raiders cannot be an aggressive, two-way team with both offense and defense heavily contributing to a playoff run.