The only team to beat the defending Super Bowl champs this season, the Raiders stumbled and bumbled their way to a 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, a setback that was every bit as ugly and lopsided as the score. Las Vegas backed that up with an equally ugly effort against the New York Jets when it took a desperation Hail Mary pass from quarterback Derek Carr to rookie Henry Ruggs III to prevent what would have been a crushing loss to the only winless team in the NFL.
Once in control of their own destiny, the Raiders now need a little help down the stretch.
“It’s time to really put this thing together,” defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell said. “When we put it all together I don’t think there’s a team in this league that isn’t afraid of us. People have seen that. We beat the so-called world champions. We beat the Saints. We’ve played well against the top tier teams. We still have a long way to go. For this last stretch we have to focus in on putting it together as a team and realizing we have the ability to go really, really deep into the playoffs.”
First, however, Las Vegas has to get into the postseason party.
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.
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This story is from the January 2021 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Raiders’ good, bad, ugly
NEWS & NOTES
The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.
Looking back at 2020 season
The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.
Gruden feeling the heat?
“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.
Checklist for 2021
Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.
