Raiders Opinion: A Breath Of Fresh Air -

Jarrett Stidham exceeded expectations on Sunday. Whether that will be enough to change the Raiders in the long haul, is still up in the air.

By the time you read this, Sunday’s loss will be two days removed. Yet, what occurred in those four-plus quarters should determine the near future for the Las Vegas Raiders. Regardless of whether popular thought or not, the future of the team, appeared to turn a page. Granted, moral victories are hollow, at best. However, the last two games should feel like a complete cleansing and a fresh start for the Raiders and their fans.

The Stidham Show

For those people outside of the team facility, no one knew what to expect from Jarrett Stidham. Facing the top-ranked defense, many predicted a drubbing at the hands of the 49ers. No one told Stidham. Despite San Francisco living in the backfield with nine quarterback hits, Stidham never flinched, standing in the pocket and delivering the ball under pressure. Throwing for three touchdowns and 365 yards against the Niners will stand out as the surprise of the season. At the same time, the two interceptions set the defense back. Nevertheless, fearlessness trumps timidity on the field. Jarrett Stidham stood tall and made plays when the team needed it.

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End Of Waller?

Darren Waller caught a touchdown on Sunday, along with two other passes. At the same time, the lack of snaps he received may send a message. Waller, presumably healthy, lined up for forty plays. Meanwhile, Foster Moreau saw fifty-five. In itself, that seems rather odd. Josh McDaniels, traditionally embraces the multiple tight-end look. Furthermore, with Waller’s talent, you’d expect him to see more than sixty-one total snaps over the last two games. Could this be a harbinger of an offseason where the Raiders deal him? His dead cap hit sits at 8.9 million dollars for 2023.

Anemic Pass Rush

Once again, the defense failed to hurry the opposing quarterback. Brock Purdy looked comfortable, scanning through progressions, and finding targets. Zero inside push and only Maxx Crosby off the edge feels like a familiar refrain. Yes, Patrick Graham’s defense struggled at all three levels. In reality, the play up front continues to hurt the Raiders. During the offseason, Vegas needs to overhaul the defensive line, with the exception of Crosby. Perhaps make Chandler Jones a situational pass rusher, since the team remains yoked to his contract.

Playcalling

Josh McDaniels’ offense showed little problem with driving up and down the field against the 49ers. Unlike previous weeks where the offense would stall in the second half, the Raiders kept pushing through. Now, that isn’t a pass for previous conservative playcalling, but Stidham understood the assignment and placed the team in a position to win the game. Can’t knock the head coach for that game plan.

Mood

Sunday, as an observer felt different. For almost a decade, fans waited with bated breath for the Raiders to turn the corner. When they repeatedly failed, games felt like disasters waiting to happen. If Jarrett Stidham plays in 2023, no one knows. However, for three-plus hours on the first day of the year, he gave the fanbase hope of better days ahead, whether with him or someone else under center.