Raiders Review: The Miracle Before Christmas Lifts Vegas

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If you say that the ending of the Raiders/Patriots game was predictable, no one on this planet will ever believe anything you say.

Due to a catastrophic error, the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New England Patriots, 30-24. Few will remember the drives, yards, and tackles. Not to mention, a Raiders offense that sat comatose for much of the second half. Not to mention, a rush defense that looked absent once again. On top of that Josh McDaniels will escape the verbal gallows of fans and press alike for another few days. New England did him the greatest of solid in bailing out a Raiders team that looks hellbent on squandering another double-digit lead.

The Sunday Comeup

Now, in all candor, Patrick Graham’s defense played abysmally for most of this season. Yet, today, they held the Patriots to just eighteen points. Furthermore, his squad smothered Mac Jones, allowing just 112 passing yards. Corresponspondingly, unheralded players like Amik Robertson turned up and showed out. Robertson’s three passes defended and sticky coverage survived a New England comeback that would have destroyed pre-Christmas week for the fanbase. Granted, Graham’s defense disappointed for spurts during the game. However, a positive scoreboard temporarily absolves shortcomings.

The Play

First, why are the Raiders rushing three? Mac Jones wasn’t going to launch a fifty-yard dart into quadruple coverage. Instead, they opted for a draw that would chew up time and send the game into overtime. Now, the next series of events still boggles the mind. Rhamondre Stevenson decided to lateral the ball. Why? The Raiders were happy to go to overtime. Next, when Jakobi Meyers uncorked a lateral pass that traveled quite a distance in the air, where what he throwing it? Did he not see Chandler Jones standing right next to Mac Jones? Well, one of the league’s highest-paid pass rushers transformed into the league’s largest cornerback, snatching the ball out of the air. Before his travel to the end zone, Jones planted the Patriot’s quarterback firmly into the turf with a soul-snatching stiff arm.

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Meaning

The Raiders keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. More importantly, they needed a crazy win to jolt their senses, something to get their heart pumping. In a season that looks rather lost and rather pitiful, the closing sequence gave the Raiders not only victory but a small semblance of holiday spirit.