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Just Win Baby; Two in a Row for the Las Vegas Raiders
Just win baby? Commitment to Excellence? That’s certainly what it’s felt like for the last two weeks. After going winless for ten straight weeks and aiming to pull off the ultimate tank job, the Raiders have won two games in a row. After traveling down to New Orleans to visit ole friend Derek Carr and the Saints, the Raiders emerged victoriously 25-10. They weren’t playing winning football all season long, but have strung together two impressive games. As great as that is, it’s certainly hurt their draft stock.
What Are We Doing?
There’s no denying that every fan in Raider Nation wants the team to draft its next franchise quarterback. For majority of the season, the Raiders were trading off with the New York Giants (who also won this Sunday) for the first overall pick. Coincidentally, both teams need a new quarterback. Shedur Sanders or Cam Ward seem like the consensus pick and could help these two teams go further along than where they are now. Not so fast for the Raiders.
The Raiders were sitting pretty in the top five the week they took on the Jaguars. After defeating the Jaguars, the Raiders slid out of the top five and moved to sixth overall. After beating the Saints? The Raiders now sit at number eight, making their next potential quarterback a long shot to grab.
You never play to lose. You ALWAYS play to win and compete and be competitive. But when you go all season long losing in all different fashions and lacking the fundamental things to execute properly and now all of a sudden you are winning games, it truly is puzzling to see. The irony is Antonio Pierce has the same record that Josh McDaniels does as a head coach for the Raiders (9-16). Not good company to be in. Drafting the next franchise quarterback isn’t impossible, but it’ll cost to move up in the draft. Telesco and Co. have work to do. But this win did come with a big piece of history that fans will never forget.
Bowers Makes History
There it is. It finally happened. Brock Bowers makes history, for the league and also for the Raiders itself. He has been every bit worth of that 13th overall selection and is without question the team’s most valuable asset. A record that has stood the test of time has finally been broken.
MOST RECEIVING YARDS IN A SEASON BY A ROOKIE TIGHT END❕#BrockForOROY | @brockbowers17 pic.twitter.com/kQnTV85uUZ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 29, 2024
Bowers went on to break the record set by Mike Ditka for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. It was set at 1,076 and when Bowers broke it he was at 1,088. He now sits at 1,144 yards and still has one week left of football to play.
Not only that, but he broke a Raiders record, which was also set by a Raiders tight end. Under former head coach Jon Gruden, he LOVED tight ends and revitalized Darren Waller. Waller was heavily involved in the Raiders pass game, and set a franchise record for 107 receptions in a single season. Bowers has now surpassed that with 108 and continues to set the record he already broke this season. Bowers reflected on his season and what’s he’s accomplished after the game.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Bowers said after the game. “It’s always been a childhood goal to play in the NFL, obviously. Then to come in here and be able to catch as many balls as I did and get as many yards as I did, it’s pretty shocking to me. It’s pretty cool.”
Bowers is only a rookie, but could very well be one of the best tight ends in the league for years to come. This has been an impressive rookie season and a player that very well should be a rookie of the year finalist.
Unsung Heroes Emerge
You have to love the unsung heroes that emerged in this win. The run game finally came alive, which was wonderful to see. The season has been dreadful trying to run the ball and the run game could never get established. Ameer Abdullah has been a force for the Raiders for two weeks in a row, but especially today on the ground.
Abdullah had 20 rushing attempts and surpassed 100 yards. In fact, it was the first time all season that a Raiders running back surpassed 100 yards all season long. Mattison came the closest (92 yards) in Week 7 against the Rams. Abdullah was also factored into the passing game, having 32 yards on three receptions.
Well connected 🛜#LVvsNO | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/f6DveutCFb
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 29, 2024
Scott Turner finally got Tre Tucker involved and they managed to use his speed and find ways to get him the ball. His touchdown was quite impressive, finding a way to get behind the defenders and find himself open in the end zone.
Aidan O’Connell was efficient, going 20 for 35 yards and two touchdowns. The defense did their job getting to Spencer Rattler, limiting the Saints in the run game and the pass game.
It’s a win you can be proud of, but a win that makes it frustrating regarding the draft position.
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