Chargers Gamenight Thread
High stakes in the last game of the season? We've been waiting quite a while for something like this. Time to take that next step! Go RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 5:12 PM
High stakes in the last game of the season? We've been waiting quite a while for something like this. Time to take that next step! Go RAIDERS!
posted by Raider Take at 5:12 PM
52 Comments:
OMG!!!! RAIDERS IN THE PLAYOFFS BABY!!!! SUCK IT, CHARGERS!!!!
We tried to lose that game so many times, I cannot believe we could not stop them on six 4th and 10 or mores. Also, the same play with Mariota and Renfrow gave the ball back to the Chargers to try and tie it was boneheaded. You cannot run the same formation fake play twice in Pee-Wee football, what makes Olson think it will work in the NFL?? This was all grits at the end for the Raiders in OT. Derek Carr came out balling, and Josh Jacobs running like a beast with hurt ribs. Derek Carr and Jacobs won this game for us.
On to Cincy, while the Dunderdolts go home. The Pacific Ocean was made from the tears of Chargers' fans. JUST WON, BABY!
"Just Won Baby," love it!
Giving up three 4th and 10s in the final drive PLUS the equivalent of 4th and 12 on the last play of that drive, PLUS 4th and nine in overtime is some kind of special.
But...But they did it. They did it. What a show of grit, not just tonight, but over the past several games.
We have something we haven't had for a while: Belief.
Raider Nation!
Holy Toledo, one of the most zany, improbable seasons in the history of pro football. Outstanding.
The San Diego chicken rolled over in it's grave.
This team, is one of the most character rich Raider teams in it's history.
No matter what happens next week, couldn't be more proud of a Raiders team and I have seen quite a few. What else is there to write, except, maybe the Raiders already have their Head Coach.
Crosby is a super star, Jacobs is running like he wants it. Carr has become a magician. Renfrow is a star. D-line gave Herbert a rough ride tonight, he is one heck of a QB. Fat lady still hasn't sang.
RAAAAAAAAIIDERS
Sandy
That may be the one game which the players truly demonstrated they are better than their coaches. Grit and determination trumped play calling.
There was some horrendous (ZBS) run blocking early in the game, but Jacobs persevered after it looked like the Raiders went with more conventional blocking. We already knew Jacobs is tough, this game just sealed it for everyone else.
I second the motion calling BS on that ridiculous play-option redo with Mariota. Olsen, are you kidding? And they allow the edge defender to walk into the back field on the side the play is designed to go.
Carr did not have his best game passing, e.g., missing Jones and Waller on critical plays, but he secured the ball and managed the game to victory. Ironically, Carr gets another walk-off win (#30 in his career) but the last drive belonged to Jacobs and his blockers.
Raiders D played out of their shoes. It would have been nice if a timely blitz was called on any of those seemingly endless 4th down conversions, especially, at the end when lineman on both sides were exhausted. Yet, the defense is largely responsible for the win.
I will say, Bissacio was engaged. Dude was up and down the sideline and looked to be yelling at his defense for untimely holding.
Lots to process still but they friggin' did it. They sent the other team home!
10-7, #5 seed in the playoffs.
Thank you, Raiders!
Finally the playoffs!! And this time with Carr healthy at Qb. Thrilling win that brought back memories.
Remembered those old shootouts with Snake/Plunkett vs Fouts. Raiders always seemed to come out on top of those battles too. Penalties, crazy plays, nothing could stop the old Raiders, and now, today's Raiders!
Was watching the game, and Raiders struggled with the run early on. I kept saying to TV, don't give up, keep running it, holes are gonna come open, and with Jacobs and O-line leading the way, they sure did.
I think that's the key vs Bungles also. Gotta run it right at'em and see if they can stop it for 60 minutes. Can't wait to watch this game !!!
Such a fantastic win, on the 45th anniversary of our first Super Bowl with Madden too. Ghost Ship, I agree very similar to the ol' Snake/Plunkett/Fouts shootouts.
My complaint is in the press conferences. Bisaccia revealed they were content with ending the game in a tie, opted to do 3 straight runs, and their mindset changed when the Chargers called timeout with 38 seconds. Jacobs said it made him mad, and he wanted to close it out, so he ran 10 yards and set for the FG. The mindset not to win is not the Raiders way, and that narrative angered me a little when I saw that. That is the mindset that needs to change.
Our first playoff game is won, now we go to Cincy. JUST WIN, BABY!
Ghost Ship, I believe the Raiders success on the ground came after the Raiders appeared to change their blocking style. I want to watch the game again and see if that's correct. Early on, missed blocking assignments plagued them, especially, when then pulled the guard.
It would have been a huge disappointment if that game, which the Raiders controlled for 52 minutes, ended in a tie. Playing not to lose is unacceptable.
The Raiders played not to lose to end the first half. Why go to the trouble of taking a timeout to get the ball back if all you plan to do is kneel on it? Just for the punt? A throw down field could have ended in a catch or penalty, either of which might have led to a score.
In the end, winning that game outright was the ONLY choice, and prevents the Raiders from having to play the Chargers again, should they advance.
I want to make note of something. Best I can tell, it took the Raiders defense (Bradley) 17 games to finally cover the RB coming out of the back field. There were two plays in particularly which Herbert was under pressure and looked for that outlet which wasn't there. I think it might have been Deablo in coverage but it was brilliant. One time ended in a crushing sack.
So many games this year the Raiders left that outlet wide open to opposing teams. Yesterday, they closed that door. That said, Herbert was masterful at looking thru his progressions.
The reason why the Raiders running game wasn't working was the play calling was way to predictable. By the end of the game, Chargers were spent, so predictable started working.
Raiders have seen Carr throw too many picks at the end of the half, Raiders should not have gone for 2 points after their last TD.
The red zone follies continue, this game should not have been so close.
Olson has some good moments, but he also has his old school moments and refuses to change up if it isn't working. He also called some great plays when they needed them most, like that 20 yrd draw play on 3rd down and 20. Notice the refs marked the ball 2 yrds back of a 1st down on that play. And then the booth, who was responsible for calling down to the refs, waited until the last half second before they would stop and review.
Saying the run game was predictable is a bit vague. When the guard pulled, he missed his block. That happened more than once. Bad plays and bad execution.
Regarding the end of half decision to kneel, I'd ask the same question: If they don't plan to run a play, why force the punt? Fielding a punt is just as high-risk as throwing a pass, if not more. Also, Carr throwing an INT deep in Charger territory with less than 10 seconds remaining is not a risky play. So what if it's intercepted.
The 6 straight 4th down conversions and the 21-yard TD with 5 seconds remaining in the game are absolutely staggering. After watching some highlights, I see more clearly that Bradley went to 3-man pass rush and dropped everyone else in coverage. Not once did he think, well, maybe this isn't working and go to back to 4-man rush or blitz. He got exactly what he deserved. Herbert is way too good to allow time to dissect the field like that... which he proved with flying colors.
Hopefully, Bradley is smarter now and won't pull the same crap at Cincy.
The Raiders were leading at halftime and the way the 1st half played out, it was good to go into the half with a lead, there was no need for a desperation bomb. How many times have you seen Carr drop back on an obvious pass play and get sacked and fumble or even get injured? Or throw a pick 6? One could pick either way, going conservative in a playoff type game, makes sense.
There was no imagination in the play calling, in the running game in the 1st half. It was run on 1st down for no gain and then throw 2 plays to make up for it. Play action on 1st down? Didn't see it and with no gain on 1st down, the D could pin back their ears and go for the QB. Too predictable. Olson needs to out think instead of trying to out muscle.
I don't disagree with not taking unnecessary risk, which is why I question why they invited that situation with a timeout. Initially, I thought, okay, the special teams will bring everyone and try and block the punt, but they didn't do that either. Forcing the Chargers to punt the ball to the Raiders side of the field for one kneeling play was, IMO, a bigger risk than Carr throwing a pass from a shotgun play.
So they were willing to take a chance on one play but not another. Not sure that call made sense to me.
what are the odds of throwing a bomb from your own 30 yrd line and creating points with 10 seconds on the clock?
what are the odds of Carr dropping back under pressure, make a bad decision or get hurt? Or fumble?
I hope the Raiders advancing into the playoffs doesn't hurt their chances of landing Harbaugh. Apparently, he's negotiating a potential new contract with Michigan, while leaving open the possibly of flight to the NFL.
Bissacia is a good coach, and a nice guy, but how's he different than 10 other coaches the Raiders have had? If anything, he's less experienced and not as well versed in either of the two primary phases of the game.
Bradley is okay, but he has no excuse for unprecedented 4th down conversions yesterday.
Olsen is flatly incompetent and a liability to Carr and the Raiders offense. If Bissacia is retained, Olsen likely stays... which makes the move to Harbaugh even more critical.
The half can't end with a defensive penalty. A deep throw by Carr and a PI puts the Raiders in Carlson's range... unless Carr can't throw 35-40 yards. 10 seconds might be enough time for a deep sideline route as well. It's a timing pass, not one which Carr holds the ball for a pass rush to find him.
Again, I don't disagree. Risk aversion is not a bad thing. But maybe then don't take the risk of muffing the punt return either.
there would be no one on one coverage on the play, it would be a deep zone so the PI thing rarely happens in those circumstances.
I was told on this site that hiring Harbaugh was a done deal?
It's not?
Raiders obviously should wait until their season is over. Maybe Davis made a deal like he made with Gruden well before it was public.
How about Daniel Carlson. Unsung hero of many late game comebacks. Dude is money. He deserved another ST player of the week.
Speaking of kicks, Bisaccia should have kicked the extra point!
Maybe he made a deal? I was told it was a done deal and that it was reported all over NFL.com.
The team is playing hard for their HC right now. When the players do that, it means they like their coach. If they stay with Bisaccia, it would mean stability and without changing schemes again. This team wants stability, needs it.
True, the team is playing hard for Bisaccia and he's very likable. But unless they make it to the SB, he's not a next level HC. And keeping Olsen would be a huge mistake, IMO.
I'm watching the game again right now. Early 2nd quarter there's a run play which Raiders pull the guard and tackle and the Chargers totally blow up the play in the back field. That's what the Raiders get from Olsen and Tom Cable.
Raiders have a long history of failure with zone blocking. They also have a long history of success with power blocking, smashmouth football. That's what Harbaugh potentially brings, and it's more consistent with what I imagine guys like Simpson, Leatherwood and company played in college. ZBS is for the birds.
Olsen wasn't the OC at the start of the season, he was an assistant to Gruden. Getting a true OC will be one of the Raiders' to do lists.
If the team keeps moving forward like they are, it will be hard to convince the players that getting a new direction will be what is needed.
The O-line has a lot of new pieces and they are young. It takes the O-line time to gel and get to their potential as a unit. We can see they have been improving with each game, Cable is a very good coach. Imagine if they had the 2 starters at G this year.
The Raiders win the biggest game they have had in years and some fans complain the day after, strange days indeed.
If Bisaccia stays at HC, which is a real possibility, then fire Olson and maybe Bradley. Olson was listed as the OC at the start of the season, but the play-calling duties belonged to Gruden. Olson was more of a glorified QB coach. I am not going to worry about the HC position until we are knocked out. However, I will say that Brian Flores is more intriguing than Harbaugh, so is Mike Zimmer.
When the Raiders lost Darius Philon, the defense seemed to dismantle a little bit. He was all over Herbert, almost as much as Mad Maxx. I think if we had him in the Chargers' last drive, they don't convert one of those 4th downs.
NY, Leatherwood played ZBS at Bama. In fact, most NCAA teams play in a ZBS which is why it is becoming more popular with mobile QB teams. With that said, the Raiders did an excellent job of playing a hybrid ZBS/Power scheme. The last running play that Jacobs did was a pure power block from the O-Line.
Jalen Richard is the unsung hero of this game as well. Not only was his 3rd and 23 yard run for a first down amazing, he lit it up in his pass blocking and pass reception game. Dude is a straight up stud, and a player that has really grown on me since he came to the team and took over. I may be looking to get his jersey soon.
If the Raiders are going to pull the guard and/or tackle, they need to execute that play far better than they did yesterday when the Chargers regularly blew it up in the back field.
I would assume that if Bisaccia is retained, he will retain his entire staff of coaches and assistants. That's axiomatic. So suggesting Olsen will be replaced is hardly realistic. You get one, you get them all. It's not a la cart.
I understand this is still a work in progress. If the Raiders continue to advance, the decision to change coaches becomes much more complicated... and unlikely.
Raiders have won 4 straight and I couldn't be prouder of their determination and resiliency to end this season. But the reality is, Bisaccia was hired as interim HC. Discussing the game and future HC of the Raiders are both relevant.
You assume, has anyone ever told you about assuming?
If he retains the position, it will be up to him to decide with the GM if the OC can be upgraded. Olsen was not hired to be the OC, he is an interim OC and can be replaced as easily as hiring a new HC. Where does it say in the rule book that it's not a la cart? Assuming.
I would bet that Cable is going over the film and that they will be working on the pulling of the G and T in practice. A team always has something to work on, it's the nature of the biz.
You guys are so salty, in spite of all the negativity on this board, the Raiders did what none of you thought they could and you two are wrighting numeorus critical posts before the game is 24 hours old. Total arm chair qb
Sandy
Let's talk about Mad Maxx what a night, relentless. How about Daniel Ice Carlson. Jacobs a career high night. God Bless Coach Rich he has done an amazing job. Derek Carr what a leader and that pass to Jones on 3rd and 8 in overtime 10 out of 10.
The Raiders dealt this year with racism, death not just we lost so and so to an acl and they still made the playoffs. Mayock and Gruden built a great roster. All the best Mark Davis your Dad would be pround.
Just win baby, that was a win for Coach Madden
Sandy
As sandy writes a salty post.
It's going over what the team can do better while complimenting the team as well. If that is salty, then so be it.
Any proof that Harbaugh is a done deal yet?
Some folks believe Rich Bisaccia has earned the head coaching job. I get that. Bisaccia is a player's coach and well liked across the board.
After firing America's dumbest head coach, Bill Callahan, Raiders have had several nice guys and player coaches.
Norv Turner
Art Shell
Tom Cable
Hue Jackson
Dennis Allen
Tony Sparano
Jack Del Rio
Jon Gruden
Honestly, there are some really talented coaches and genuine nice guys in that bunch, but they all flamed out as HC for one reason or another. Some of them bounced back into coordinator roles in a big way, but just weren't cut out to be HC.
Bisaccia is the guy who held the Raiders together in a time of need, during the most unusual circumstances. I don't want to undercut that but, IMO, Bisaccia falls more into the list of coaches shown above than he does in the elite class of Tomlin, Reid, Belichick and Payton, or Carroll, Arians and John Harbaugh.
So Mark Davis has to decide what direction he wants to take the Raiders. Does he want to stay the course with another nice guy (see list above), or does he want to hire an experienced proven head coach?
Every game the Raiders win makes it harder to decide but, in the end, this isn't a charity non-for-profit organization.
Bisaccia's job interview ends when the Raiders finish their season. If by some miracle they make it to the SB or even the AFC title game, I would expect him to be retained as HC.
The Bengals beat the Raiders badly while Bisaccia was HC. This week's game will speak volumes to Bisaccia's ability to prepare the Raiders, like he did against the Chargers. I think the Chargers game was his most impressive as HC. He was animated and appeared engaged in all phases.
Personally, I hope Bisaccia makes it impossible for Davis to do anything but retain him as HC.
With the Raiders back in the Playoffs, with a healthy Derek Carr, I have written this to the cadence of "The Autumn Wind."
I call it "The Sea of Change":
The autumn wind is changing, the pirates are heading back out to sea.
With a will in their eye, a spring in their step, they set the sails for victory.
His ship is weather beaten, but his cannons set to attack.
He rallies his men, positioned to win, and lets everyone know, "We're Back!"
There is a groan throughout the country, a new fear of the villain of old.
And the League quietly shakes and quiver and quakes, trying to hide their gold.
The autumn wind is a Raider, ready to pillage once again.
Riding the seas of change, the time is now, with laughter and cries of "JUST WIN!"
Nice, Nate.
Lots of barnacles on that ship. Let's hope this team can channel the pirates of old, because the new Raiders live in the desert where water is a mirage.
Sad to hear about Philon he was playing so well.
Sandy
Carlson named special teams player of the week for the fourth time this season.
That was a no-brainer!
Ok, not to be outdone, Crosby was AFC Player of the week.
These two guys will need another big effort this week. Carlson and Crosby are key cogs!
The weather is looking like snow for the game in Cincy. I think the Defense is going to have to hold up against the run and not over-pursue their lanes. Josh Jacobs is going to need 20+ carries. Not too mention, Jalen Richard more active in the run game to give Josh a breather. Carr is going to have to make quick/short passes to Waller, Zay, Renfrow, and Edwards on crossing routes, out routes, and skinny posts. We have to get the end zone, not sure how kicking FG's will pan out in this game.
Both teams have to play in the same crummy weather, both teams will have to control the ball and the clock with the running game. Greg Olson is going to have to be more creative there in his play calling, running up the middle all game is not going to work. He who stops the run will win this game. JUST WIN, BABY!
In sports its an often overused cliche about dedication, team unity etc. However, this Raider team is really unique in that respect. It has been a long long time since there was a Raider team comprised of dedicated, united, hard working guys who love being Raiders. I think this made a huge differnece.
This video of Zay Jones is a good example. The guy had serious issues in Buffalo and has worked his ass off and rode the bench the last three years and now when the team was in dire straits at WR he has stepped up and made a huge differnece.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1480996686688362502
Sandy
I have no idea what to expect or who shows up to play Saturday. The Raiders have already proven they have moxie. A win Saturday would be icing on that cake.
Like the Chargers, the Bengals handled the Raiders earlier in the season. I think that, and their TD underdog status in Cincy this week, only motivates the Raiders.
Lots of talk about Bisaccio possibly in the running for "coach of the year." IMO, he should be one more win away from a shoo-in to get it. The Raiders have pulled off an improbable 4-game winning streak to finish the season, just when they should have folded. Bisaccia deserves a lot of credit for that.
But please don't get this post confused with my previous posts about who should coach next year. I just don't want to take away from what Bisaccia has clearly accomplished in an unprecedented season.
Honestly, my biggest concern right now is what toppings to order with my pizza this Saturday!
Imagine what Derek Carr is feeling. This is his first playoff game, and the Raiders first legit opportunity to win a playoff game in 19 years (Connor Cook had no chance).
No matter what happens Saturday, the Raiders will have no excuse not to make the playoffs again next year. The bar has been reset.
GO RAIDERS!
NY, I would not say the Bengals handled the Raiders. It was a 3 point game with 6 minutes to go in the 4th and then the wheels came off. Bengals TD, followed by Carr interception that gave them the ball at the Raiders 25 and another TD followed by Raiders fumble.
Borrow passed for 148 yards, Most of the damage was done in the run game by Mixon.
On the road, cold weather, turf not exactly favorable Raider condistions. It will take an awesome day rushing the passer from Maxx and Yannick and Jacobs showing up big time.
Per your comment on pizza I am trying to convince myself we are playing with the houses money and I should just enjoy the moment. Once the game starts I am sure that will go out the window---lol
Sandy
32-13 final score and 37.20 to 22.40 disadvantage in time of possession. Plus, Jacobs had 37 yards rushing, and Drake only another 23 yards rushing and 1 catch for 6 yards.
Pretty lopsided all the way around. That was a home game.
Raiders may need another epiphany. After watching the past four weeks, I'm not counting that out.
This is definitely not the same team. I believe the Cincy game is where Drake was injured and came out. Jacobs has dealt with injury all season too (broken ribs). I think the Charger game showed Jacobs isn't 100%, but he is near 100%.
The wheels did come off for us at the end of the game, despite time of possession and our rushing yards, the score was 16-13 when the wheels came off. DC passed for 215 yards, Waller had 116 yards and 7 receptions. Bengals could not stop Waller.
The lopsidedness of the game came at the end with Interceptions, fumbles, which led to Cincy's TD's. The Bengals did not just win the game, but the Raiders gave them the win.
This Saturday, the running game has to be there. The forecast in Cincy says snow, but a local friend said they are calling for about an inch, but you never know. If it is light snow, then we have a shot at some short passes, and gain yards after the catch. The one thing the Raiders have to do to shut down the pressure that Cincy's defense will bring, is the screen pass to Jacobs and Richard.
All in all, I am feeling good about this game. This is a winnable game for the Raiders, and this team can only beat themselves at this point. JUST WIN, BABY!
Except for last week, the Raiders have not been lighting up the score board. Arguably, the defense has been pivotal in the current run (6 straight 4th down conversions aside), while Carr and the offense has been inconsistent.
Bengals bring a much better run defense than the Chargers, potentially leaving Carr to shoulder the workload with less than ideal WRs like Jones, Edwards and Jackson. Renfrow and Waller will be blanketed.
I think folks can stop pretending Leatherwood was a good first round pick.
Leatherwood finished the season with 65 pressures allowed, the worst mark in the league, and finished second-worst in PFF pass-blocking grade.
Maybe Leatherwood will find his way and keep his starting job, but his first season was a disaster in terms of pressures and penalties. Being the worst at your job is never good.
Too many times this season, Leatherwood, Simpson and Parker were seen standing over Derek on the ground after their assigned blocks put Carr there. The Raiders really suffered this year with a patchwork O-line (all players the Raiders hand-picked!).
I forgot Morrissy was signed off the Raider PS. That sucks. He looked promising. The Texans started him in four games.
For a little more context, Leatherwood's PFF pass blocker grade was 29.0. That might be the lowest grade in NFL history.
With obvious need on the O-line again this off-season, the big question is, will the Raiders once again reach for second or third round talent when drafting in the first round?
With their recent first round picks, the Raiders have drafted RT, WR and CB, and none were consensus best players available at their position when drafted.
All three positions remain in desperate need.
Thank you New York or should I call you Eyor I'm glad you took this playoff week to shit on one of the players and criticize the Raiders drafting which I'd in large part why they are in the playoffs. God forbid we should enjoy this moment.
Sandy
Lol, should I tell you a bedtime story? The numbers don't lie. Leatherwood has been a liability to the Raiders.
He was so bad at RT, the Raiders replaced him with Brandon Parker. That pretty much sums it up. Since then, he's also struggled at guard.
These things don't exist in a vacuum. Raiders gave up more pressures and sacks this year, by a wide margin. It's a critical part of the game that the Bengals will try to exploit.
I hope the Raiders coaches and players are more serious than you are.
Leatherwood and Parker will need help against the Bengals on their right side.
NY yes I would love to hear you read Winnie the Pooh but I'm worried that you've criticized Christopher Robinson for being a boring play-caller. We all know Leatherwood is having a crap season so he looks like he has potential as a run-blocker I just thought you'd lay off that until the season was over. How about that Hunter Renfrow.
Sandy
Sandy, it's the end of the season. The final numbers and grades were just posted yesterday. Sorry to bruise your sensibilities by discussing it in real time.
For all your sugarcoated perspectives, a fairy tale would be more appropriate.
NY my "sugar coated" outlook has proven to be a lot more realistic and accurate than anything you have said this year. 10 wins and in the playoffs. Sorry bro you are not just doom and gloom you are also plain wrong about this team all year.
Sandy
Curious, what have I posted that's flatly wrong? I never made any predictions about wins and losses this year, and virtually everything I post is my opinion, based on then available information. I often say as much (IMO!). By comparison, you employ righteousness and moral superiority, and incorporate hindsight "I told you so" whenever possible.
At one point this season, you went on a tirade about the Raiders draft failings, but as you got over that, you criticize me for suggesting the Raiders have not drafted well. It's a bit Jekyll and Hyde.
talk about salty.
This game is going to be hard for the Raiders to keep their emotional level where it needs to be. The last game vs the Chargers, was a very emotional game.
Seen so many times a team comes out flat because their emotional level isn't where it should be because of such a big win the week before.
But this Raider team has been surprising all year, can they do it again?
Yup we all know Leatherwood had a rough year. We all know about the high picks that didn't turn out, but guess what, they made the playoffs, is there something to be said about that?
Is there something to be said about making the playoffs? Lol. yeah genius it means they are a really good team
Post a Comment
<< Home