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2021 Las Vegas Raiders - PLAYOFFS!!!! (1 Viewer)

I'm not sure we will find anybody, who in hindsight, agrees with the 4th down play.   Even in the moment, I'd imagine most fans were thinking "what are they doing?!" and then immediately holding their breath for the pending disappointment. 

What I'm most encouraged about was neither side of the ball decided to pack it in after being down 14-0.  Years past, that would have been a 'game over' score with no chance of coming back in.  But instead, this years team decided to go on an unanswered 25 point run (oh why couldn't it have been a 26 point run!!).

The team is playing with missing key parts, and finding ways to win.  Mullen looked great in coverage, I love how they are putting Moehrig in position to be successful.  The pass rush continues to be impressive.  Yannick's first step is outstanding.  Hunter is being Hunter and extending drives.   Ruggs looked great, Edwards is finding a way to contribute.  

3-0 against teams who were/are considered to be in the playoff hunt for this season, and 3 teams who each had 10+ wins last season.  I'll take it. 


And three conference wins.  Lots to be excited about so far.

 
They'll #### it up, because...of course.

But let's enjoy it now.
They don’t have to screw it up.  Gruden has the O rolling and the D is playing pretty well.  Gruden needs to coach smart and not take unnecessary chances.  This team has enough talent to play with any team in the NFL but there is little room for error.  

We should all be enjoying a great season so far.  

 
I commend Barber's efforts, but I don't like how every 3rd or 4th and 1 is an adventure these days. I wonder if it's a consequence of poor interior line play or not having Jacobs out there. From my armchair, I'd say it's a combination of both.

 
The two catches Ruggs had early in the game and then the first drive in OT where he turned and dragged his toes on at the sideline showed a completely different level of awareness and skill than I recall in his pro career to date. Hoping he continues to develop like this. 

 
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Just got tix for me and my 8-yr old son for Monday night at SoFi. Doing my part to help take over the stadium for Raider Nation. 🏴

 
bombjack said:
The two catches Ruggs had early in the game and then the first drive in OT where he turned and dragged his toes on at the sideline showed a completely different level of awareness and skill than I recall in his pro career to date. Hoping he continues to develop like this. 
Agreed. Ruggs absolutely looked the part. Welcome to the NFL, kid. Prove everyone wrong!

 
Agreed. Ruggs absolutely looked the part. Welcome to the NFL, kid. Prove everyone wrong!
He did look good. I would still rather have Lamb but Ruggs can still be a good player.   I would love to be wrong about the little decoy and will happily admit it.  

 
He did look good. I would still rather have Lamb but Ruggs can still be a good player.   I would love to be wrong about the little decoy and will happily admit it.  
I know combine measurements mean #### all once the games start in September and we all know straight line speed is what got Ruggs drafted so early. But I was shocked to see Ruggs had a 42" vertical jump to Lamb's 34.5".

Kid has hops.

 
I know combine measurements mean #### all once the games start in September and we all know straight line speed is what got Ruggs drafted so early. But I was shocked to see Ruggs had a 42" vertical jump to Lamb's 34.5".

Kid has hops.
Gruden drafted him to run fast, but from what he showed, especially the back shoulder toe drag coming from a full stop, shows they need to look at him as more than just "run deep". Even his hands on the plays were solid, reaching for the ball and snagging it. 

 
Gruden drafted him to run fast, but from what he showed, especially the back shoulder toe drag coming from a full stop, shows they need to look at him as more than just "run deep". Even his hands on the plays were solid, reaching for the ball and snagging it. 
Ruggs's development seems very clear. If he continues this level of production it puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. 

If he keeps improving...watch out.

 
Ruggs's development seems very clear. If he continues this level of production it puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. 

If he keeps improving...watch out.
He definitely looks much improved over last season.  While that should happen, it often doesn’t.  He and Edwards are making a big difference this season and a big reason that the Raiders are winning.  Prove me wrong Ruggs.  Prove me wrong.  

 
He definitely looks much improved over last season.  While that should happen, it often doesn’t.  He and Edwards are making a big difference this season and a big reason that the Raiders are winning.  Prove me wrong Ruggs.  Prove me wrong.  
As an owner in magic football, I am very aware of the consistent usage Ruggs is seeing so far this season. 6 targets/game isn't world breaking but it put him in the conversation as a weekly flex option, particularly with his long speed.

 
Ruggs's development seems very clear. If he continues this level of production it puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. 

If he keeps improving...watch out.
Think I may be rolling him out as a flex this week...said someone for the first time ever.

If you want to help out in the WDIS process I am trying to roll out a weekly WDIS thread in the SP, no one likes to go to the AC Forum. 

Everyone is welcome.

 
Got home late last night and caught up on a few things so here are my thoughts for the game...

But first, let's get the most important thing out of the way. Yes, avoid Excalibur if you go to Vegas for a home game. I knew from the warnings here it was not going to be pretty but I figured the cost difference from Vdara for the extra night or Mandalay Bay would be enough to make up for having not as nice of a place. I was wrong. So, yes, it is old and have popcorn ceiling, the room is sparse and nothing nice or extra, the tv must be first generation flat screens but the things that infuriated me about Excalibur was all the extra waiting. The check in is a huge wait (never saw a short line so it wasn't just when I came in) and the elevators are RIDICULOUS in how long it takes to get one. Tons of people pile up. It doesn't matter up or down. It is almost like they only run 2 at a time or something. On game day, I gave up and walked down the 10 stories of stairs because I had waited like 15 min (not exaggerating) to get 1 elevator that was full when the door opened! On the plus side, the room was clean, the beds were not bad and the AC compared to the Vdara was much better (I could not get my room in the Vdara to ever feel cool and I like to sleep with the air cool and at home a fan on usually). I am not sure about Mandalay Bay but I am sure it is nicer plus even though Excalibur has the tram connecting, Mandalay Bay is much more convenient- on game day, you head to the tram, I was lucky and timed it right after the two trams left which meant the platform was empty and made my way to the front of the tram area (I don't know why but people group near the middle or rear), after a 10 min wait or so one tram came back and I entered in with nearly myself until I motioned for some people to come in with me who were obviously looking for space which I assume all the other carts were full. You dump into Mandalay and walk through with signs pointing you in the right direction on to the street which is closed off. You walk across the street over the freeway and over to the stadium area. The weather was certainly warm but not too bad like Vegas can get. If you go and it is a hot day, plan for that because there is no shade and you can really cook walking there. They have some water stations in the middle of the bridge. I wanted to get set and then check out the tailgate scene but figuring out the "Clear" app thing took me forever (download ahead of time and do it or else you have to use the stadium wifi which means you have to get close enough to it to find it.) and burned up alot of time and after standing in the sun for all that time I was done with being outside and headed in. The stadium is awesome, between my seats being really awesome seats that I got for just about $400 out the door on game day morning and then the tour on Monday, it was really cool to see the Death Star in all it's glory. After the game, it is crazy, the bridge is packed with a mass of people that looks like a horde of undead from Walking Dead. One Uber driver I took before the game said don't even try Uber, you can't get close and takes longer. Another Uber said he didn't work that day just to avoid the craziness. I didn't even consider it so I didn't look to see the cost but must be expensive. Everyone pours into the Mandalay Bay and then kind of scatters from there. I didn't even try the tram back for a long time after as I was lightheaded from yelling so much so I just played a bit of slots and chilled a bit (up $5) still, it was full going back but I used the same trick of moving my way all the way to the front and was better off for it. Next time I will get a room at Mandalay Bay instead. It was cool hearing Raiders chants in both casinos that Sunday and Monday. 

The stadium. It was about 15-20% Dolphins fans and prob about 85% to capacity. Even so, it was LOUD and there was a lot of energy. Likewise, the 15-20% Dolphins fans made it less than quiet when we were on offense. I think the stadium was built to amplify noise plus us Raiders fans are not quiet to begin with. It is MUCH more welcoming to the opposing team than LA or Oakland ever was and also much more family friendly (I saw many more small kids than I ever did at LA or Oakland games). For food, I grabbed the nearest food to me which was a hamburger place. I got the hamburger and loaded fries. The loaded fries were good but the hamburger was extremely tasty. The best food I ever had at a stadium.... easily. The seats were comfy. Though there were a lot of Dolphins fans mixed in, I saw no fights or issues. 

So the game... wow. Started off a trainwreck and came back. The line is clearly not as good as last year but it held up enough and though I didn't see them really getting good push they at least were able to hold the blocks to get Barber more than a couple of yards. I know there was a lot of talk about the 4th and 1. It was actually pretty close to me as I was on the 23ish yard line. I could see Chucky's face as they called the time out. There was a lot of moaning and groaning here about it being such a bad call to go for it but nearly the entire stadium (sans me) was moaning and groaning about NOT going for it went the kicking team was sent out. More than a few Raiders fans around me were yelling encouragements for him to go for it (that is putting it nicely). I was shocked on the playcall, I was thinking a QB sneak being the better call. We were not getting any push on the line and I didn't feel that was the right call but I do find it funny how fans can make calls without no consequence either way and damn those who bear the responsibility regardless of outcome. Let me be clear, I wouldn't have made that call myself. If I did, I would have gone with a different play. But it was no where near what almost cost us the game. 

The thing that struck me as the biggest thing holding us back during the game was not that call or anything else I have seen... it was the HORRIBLE hikes from James to Carr in shotgun. There was the one really bad hike that lost us a ton of yards but pretty consistently Carr was having to spend extra time and focus on getting the ball from James. To me, it was clearly knocking him out of the rhythm of the plays and he had to fight to get back into them. James right now is my biggest concern on the team. It is only 3 games in so I am not yet giving up on him or anything but he clearly needs to step up and play better. 

The offense is really getting into that mode where the best of the best offenses are able to really use any weapon against you. We all know Waller is a baller, we all should have known about Renfrow and many of us should be getting turned around on both Ruggs and Edwards. Both are playing good ball and have grown. As I stated my case before they have really gone beyond those rookie campaigns and are showing why we drafted both. Ruggs is making some pretty darn good catches for a decoy. Edwards is showing up. Add in Jacobs to this mix and wow... what defense in this league is going to stop us? The Dolphins have one of the better defenses and one of the best secondaries and they didn't do much to stop us other than the one pick 6. 

The defense is legit. It may not be the best D in the league but it is a good D and I still believe we will see it get better. I think there was an article about how offenses will be able to attack it more and more as they learn it... BS, the Cover 3 has been around a lot and OC's know how to attack it. But more importantly, Gus does a lot more than just Cover 3. We have a lot of new guys that are familiar with the system but we have a lot of young guys getting use to it and this is all new for the team. It is no longer just hoping and praying something not terrible happens when the D is on the field, now I feel like we are playing a full 60 minutes. These guys fly to the ball. There was a play that was a kind of mundane 5 yard and tackle play, I turned to the guy next to me and said, they didn't look like much but in the last few years that tackle would have been missed and it would have been an extra 15 yards or more than they got, that is huge. 

3-0 and not like the Donkey 3-0 playing pretty much the worse teams in the league. Again, as I have been saying all off-season into this season... this is different boys.... enjoy it. 

 
The thing that struck me as the biggest thing holding us back during the game was not that call or anything else I have seen... it was the HORRIBLE hikes from James to Carr in shotgun. There was the one really bad hike that lost us a ton of yards but pretty consistently Carr was having to spend extra time and focus on getting the ball from James. To me, it was clearly knocking him out of the rhythm of the plays and he had to fight to get back into them. James right now is my biggest concern on the team. It is only 3 games in so I am not yet giving up on him or anything but he clearly needs to step up and play better. 


Really good point, this stood out to me as well.

 
One more thing... 

Go back and watch Renfrow's TD. 

Howard was on him... a top 3 CB in the league I would say, I am sure no one would drop him out of top 5. 

Renfrow used and abused him to get open for that TD. He cuts in, does a quick fake to the left then moves right before cutting back to the left with Howard on skates at that point and plenty of room for the catch and to take it up field enough for the TD. Pure genius route running. 

 
Chadstroma said:
One more thing... 

Go back and watch Renfrow's TD. 

Howard was on him... a top 3 CB in the league I would say, I am sure no one would drop him out of top 5. 

Renfrow used and abused him to get open for that TD. He cuts in, does a quick fake to the left then moves right before cutting back to the left with Howard on skates at that point and plenty of room for the catch and to take it up field enough for the TD. Pure genius route running. 
I literally re-watched that route 4 or 5 times and told my son that I’ve never seen a TRIPLE move like that. Genius route running for sure. I have a man-crush on Renfrow. I said it last year, seeing how Beasley in Buff put up over 1000 yards, I wondered if Renfrow couldn’t be the same kind of impact WR if only given the consistent targets. He does great things with the targets he does get. But, in the same breathe, I want to keep seeing Ruggs and Edwards improve and get targets too. A nice problem to (finally) have!

 
my biggest worry right now, is injuries.  the defense seems to have a guy in agony, every series.  29 has been down multiple times.  25, 27, 39, 52 just from this last game.  they all came back, but it scares me.  whatcha gonna do? :shrug:

very tough out this week.  LW will have his hands full.  really hope jacobs is back!  they dumped camp darling ragas(shocker! :rolleyes: ) does that mean richard is coming back?  and if he does, do they keep barber?  i'd rather see more scrub OL depth, personally.

and can they get renfrow off the damn ST's?  he's too valuable to be messing around as the punt returner.

RRAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIDDDDDEEEEERRRRRRSSSSSSS!

aawtfdik

 
ICON211 said:
Really good point, this stood out to me as well.
james is having a rough go of it.  he's getting tossed around a bit and those snaps!  good lord.  the talking heads have been commenting on his "flat" delivery.  meaning he puts no spin on the ball.  they really need to iron that crap out.  i miss hudson. :cry:  

 
my biggest worry right now, is injuries.  the defense seems to have a guy in agony, every series.  29 has been down multiple times.  25, 27, 39, 52 just from this last game.  they all came back, but it scares me.  whatcha gonna do? :shrug:

very tough out this week.  LW will have his hands full.  really hope jacobs is back!  they dumped camp darling ragas(shocker! :rolleyes: ) does that mean richard is coming back?  and if he does, do they keep barber?  i'd rather see more scrub OL depth, personally.

and can they get renfrow off the damn ST's?  he's too valuable to be messing around as the punt returner.

RRAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIDDDDDEEEEERRRRRRSSSSSSS!

aawtfdik


I think, but could very well be wrong, that because of the number of times that Ragas has been pulled up from, and put back to, the practice squad they were a.) forced to sign him to the active roster and the only way to get him back onto the practice squad was to cut him and hope he clears waivers. 

Related/unrelated, it does sound like Richard is ready to start practicing. 

I suspect Barber is playing his way into a longer term role because of his ability to block on passing downs. 

 
I think, but could very well be wrong, that because of the number of times that Ragas has been pulled up from, and put back to, the practice squad they were a.) forced to sign him to the active roster and the only way to get him back onto the practice squad was to cut him and hope he clears waivers. 

Related/unrelated, it does sound like Richard is ready to start practicing. 

I suspect Barber is playing his way into a longer term role because of his ability to block on passing downs. 
good points.  but i'd hate to have 5 rbs and 4 te's and be paper thin on the OL.   :shrug:   

gruden's teams have imploded in the 2nd half of the season.  partly due to injury/depth issues.  i like signings like ha ha.  kick the tires on some dudes that have played in the NFL.  and get some more damn OL depth.

 
He did look good. I would still rather have Lamb but Ruggs can still be a good player.   I would love to be wrong about the little decoy and will happily admit it.  
I'd still rather have Lamb too, and was throwing things at the TV when we took Ruggs.   Having said that, Ruggs has looked pretty good.   He doesn't have Lamb's ceiling, but he has been good.   

 
Okay I think I may have to start all Raiders & Chargers on my super-flex magic football team this week.

Carr, Herbert, Mike Williams, Henry Ruggs (aka DJ Longball Home-Run Spice @DA RAIDERS) & Josh Jacobs (if he plays).

The only problem is it means leaving Josh Allen on the bench. But I have to do it, right?

 
Okay I think I may have to start all Raiders & Chargers on my super-flex magic football team this week.

Carr, Herbert, Mike Williams, Henry Ruggs (aka DJ Longball Home-Run Spice @DA RAIDERS) & Josh Jacobs (if he plays).

The only problem is it means leaving Josh Allen on the bench. But I have to do it, right?
yes, you do.

 
my biggest worry right now, is injuries.  the defense seems to have a guy in agony, every series.  29 has been down multiple times.  25, 27, 39, 52 just from this last game.  they all came back, but it scares me.  whatcha gonna do? :shrug:

very tough out this week.  LW will have his hands full.  really hope jacobs is back!  they dumped camp darling ragas(shocker! :rolleyes: ) does that mean richard is coming back?  and if he does, do they keep barber?  i'd rather see more scrub OL depth, personally.

and can they get renfrow off the damn ST's?  he's too valuable to be messing around as the punt returner.

RRAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIDDDDDEEEEERRRRRRSSSSSSS!

aawtfdik
As you said, Mullen looked like he was dying... I mean, he took a couple of steps and would heave down... a couple of steps and heave down.... 

The good thing I like is that they are all fighting and coming back even if dinged up. It scared the crap out of me when I saw Perryman head to the locker room. He is balling for us and with his health record, it is extra scary to see him do that. 

 
I literally re-watched that route 4 or 5 times and told my son that I’ve never seen a TRIPLE move like that. Genius route running for sure. I have a man-crush on Renfrow. I said it last year, seeing how Beasley in Buff put up over 1000 yards, I wondered if Renfrow couldn’t be the same kind of impact WR if only given the consistent targets. He does great things with the targets he does get. But, in the same breathe, I want to keep seeing Ruggs and Edwards improve and get targets too. A nice problem to (finally) have!
3rd and Renfrow = gold jerry...GOLD

 
I literally re-watched that route 4 or 5 times and told my son that I’ve never seen a TRIPLE move like that. Genius route running for sure. I have a man-crush on Renfrow. I said it last year, seeing how Beasley in Buff put up over 1000 yards, I wondered if Renfrow couldn’t be the same kind of impact WR if only given the consistent targets. He does great things with the targets he does get. But, in the same breathe, I want to keep seeing Ruggs and Edwards improve and get targets too. A nice problem to (finally) have!
It reminded me of all the reports of Renfrow having his way with Jalen Ramsey (another top 3 CB in my book) and then Ramsey came ouy trying to act like it didn't happen... dude, that route would have toasted every single CB in the league. Howard obviously.... Ramsey too or anyone else you want to throw in there. Just beautiful. 

 
Another point where some love should be given is Mayock, Gruden and Barber. 

Picking up a guy off another teams PS and then he goes for 142 yards on 23 carries with a TD (6.1 average) when your line isn't playing dominantly (on our 3rd and 4th guards). 

 
ok time for random story of the night, i went to knotts scary farm last friday night with my family while i was down there visiting. i agreed to go but made it clear it was a friday night and i was gonna drink because i had been behaving for my week visiting down there. we got there early and they let us in up to a certain point, well i was bored and decided to let a “raidaahhhsss” fly and it lit up the crowd, we had a solid minute of yelling out raiddddaaahhhsss. i legit had chills, carry on

 
Carr ranked third best QB right now by Greg Rosenthal on NFL.com behind Brady and Prescott 

"The craziest part of Carr's scorching start is that he's playing behind perhaps the worst offensive line with the worst running game of his career. A great quarterback elevates others, and Carr is combining savvy decisions with more Big-Time Throws than anyone else, per Pro Football Focus. When there's miscommunication on the Raiders' offense -- such as on Carr's pick-six last week -- I now assume it was the receiver's fault. Carr is seeing the field so clearly"

 
ok time for random story of the night, i went to knotts scary farm last friday night with my family while i was down there visiting. i agreed to go but made it clear it was a friday night and i was gonna drink because i had been behaving for my week visiting down there. we got there early and they let us in up to a certain point, well i was bored and decided to let a “raidaahhhsss” fly and it lit up the crowd, we had a solid minute of yelling out raiddddaaahhhsss. i legit had chills, carry on
SoCal is such a raider town.   :lmao:  

 
contemplating going to the game this week...........anyone got any hook ups?


Plenty of great seats left on the various reseller sites - chk ticketmaster, vivid, seat geek and stub hub. Best viewing angle IMO for live football is center endzone first deck. Those seats are still available in the $250-350 range, while all the goombas pay up for side (decent) and corner (worst) views. Be ready to shell out another ~$100 for parking or walk a couple miles to the nearest LAX satellite lots.

There's an In-N-Out just south of the stadium for pregame, or if you want bomb Mexican, hit up Baja Buds on National just off the 405 about 15 min north. We will definitely be fueling up at BBs before final entry.

 
Plenty of great seats left on the various reseller sites - chk ticketmaster, vivid, seat geek and stub hub. Best viewing angle IMO for live football is center endzone first deck. Those seats are still available in the $250-350 range, while all the goombas pay up for side (decent) and corner (worst) views. Be ready to shell out another ~$100 for parking or walk a couple miles to the nearest LAX satellite lots.

There's an In-N-Out just south of the stadium for pregame, or if you want bomb Mexican, hit up Baja Buds on National just off the 405 about 15 min north. We will definitely be fueling up at BBs before final entry.
we are going to take the train in and just get tickets the day of the game.  we are going to get what ever is cheapest.  after that beugie club level experience, in vegas, i need to get back in the the thick of it, with my people. :lmao:  

 
It reminded me of all the reports of Renfrow having his way with Jalen Ramsey (another top 3 CB in my book) and then Ramsey came ouy trying to act like it didn't happen... dude, that route would have toasted every single CB in the league. Howard obviously.... Ramsey too or anyone else you want to throw in there. Just beautiful. 
Here’s that TD catch with the close up replay. Nasty as ####! 
 

https://youtu.be/_vYGlHJyai4

watch it over and over. Enjoy!

 
DC is AFC Offensive Player of the Month

The Raiders quarterback was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September. This is the first time Carr has been named Player of the Month in his eight-year NFL career.

In his path to his first POTM honor, Carr has lead the Silver and Black to their first 3-0 start to the season since 2002, and is leading the league in passing yards (1,203). He also has a 6:2 touchdown-interception ratio in the month of September, with all six of touchdowns being caught by a different receiver.

Derek Carr on 3-0 start: 'We still haven't played our best football'

Derek Carr is fast becoming an early MVP candidate after another huge win

By the Numbers: The Raiders are not short of playmakers in the passing game

Stat line: Completed 88-of-136 passes for 1,203 yards (64.7 percent) with six touchdowns against two interceptions for a passer rating of 101.4.

Became only the fourth player with at least 1,200 passing yards through his team's first three games of a season in NFL history, joining Ryan Fitzpatrick (2018), Kurt Warner (2000) and Tom Brady (2011).

Became just the fifth quarterback since the merger to win the first three games of a season while passing for at least 300 yards and two TDs, joining Josh Allen (2020), Patrick Mahomes (2019), Peyton Manning (2013) and Steve Young (1998).

Dating back to Week 16 of the 2020 season, has recorded at least 325 passing yards in five consecutive games, trailing only Rich Gannon (six games in 2002) for most consecutive games with at least 325 passing yards in NFL history.

Is the only quarterback in the NFL this season to pass for at least 300 yards in all three contests during the month of September.

His 88 passing completions are tied for first in the AFC during the month of September.

His 8.85 avg. yards per attempt ranks second in the AFC during the month of September.

His 52 first down completions rank tied for first in the AFC during the month of September.

His 11 completions on passes of 25-plus yards downfield rank first in the AFC during the month of September.

 
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