Close however no victory cigar.
That appears to be the mantra throughout the Las Vegas Raiders’ nine-game dropping streak. While the sport led to a two-possession defeat, the Raiders definitely battled in Week 14 in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, the NFL is a results-oriented enterprise the place ethical victories depend the identical as blowout losses and it has been 10 weeks since Las Vegas has seen a ‘W’. The Silver and Black proceed to outline madness by making the identical errors, particularly Antonio Pierce, who headlines this week’s winners and losers.
LOSER: Antonio Pierce
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur wrote that Pierce seems like a damaged document as a result of the Raiders are caught, and Tafur hit the nail proper on the top. The head coach continued to say that he’s pleased with the way in which the staff fought in his post-game press convention, and that’s a good assertion contemplating his squad battled again from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit.
But, sooner or later, the outcomes have to be mirrored on the scoreboard and that isn’t occurring.
Also, Piece continues to make the identical errors in relation to recreation administration; misusing timeouts, poor problem choices and taking an opportunity on fourth downs. The latter reared its head twice on Sunday and never rolling the cube turns into much more irritating when the staff has nothing to lose at 2-10, now 2-11.
Pierce has tried the conservative strategy in relation to going for it and it isn’t working. In different phrases, he’s doing the identical factor again and again and anticipating totally different outcomes.
WINNER: Tre’von Moehrig
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Despite the staff’s dropping streak, Moehrig has been taking part in properly over the past a number of months and had arguably the most effective recreation of his profession on Sunday. The security was flying across the subject and led the staff with eight complete tackles, together with a half-sack with Okay’Lavon Chaisson—who additionally had an excellent recreation—to drive a punt within the third quarter.
Additionally, Moehrig logged one other stress the place he recovered a fumble through strip sack from Amari Burney and was credited for 3 passes defended. All of that contributed to a 90.4 general grade from Pro Football Focus which is the second-highest amongst safeties for the week, pre-Monday Night Football.
Not dangerous for a man who’s seeking to get a brand new contract within the offseason.
LOSER: Isaiah Pola-Mao
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Pola-Mao has been trending in the wrong way since making his first begin in Week 4. He’s struggled to make a lot of an influence since that outing and had one in every of his worst performances of the marketing campaign on Sunday.
According to PFF, Pola-Mao was focused 3 times and allowed three completions for a team-high 68 yards, one landing and an ideal 158.3 passer ranking. To make issues worse, he additionally had the protection’s most missed tackles with 4. Unfortunately, the third-year professional hasn’t been in a position to construct on what was a promising begin.
WINNER: Michael Mayer
Sunday was Mayer’s fourth recreation again from his midseason absence and it appeared just like the tight finish received his groove again.
He was focused 9 occasions and managed to haul in a career-high seven catches to go together with the second-most yards (68) he’s had in a recreation. The Notre Dame product additionally impacted the operating recreation, incomes a 70.6 run-blocking grade from PFF.
This was maybe essentially the most encouraging particular person efficiency to see from Las Vegas because it’s been a tricky marketing campaign for Mayer as he battled off-the-field points earlier within the 12 months.
LOSER: Aidan O’Connell
Consistency was the difficulty with O’Connell as a rookie as he’d have one spectacular outing after which battle the next week or two. Unfortunately, that development continued as he had a number of dangerous throws in Tampa Bay and accounted for 2 turnovers—an interception and a fumbled snap.
Making issues worse, the 2023 fourth-round decide will seemingly miss the remainder of the season after struggling a knee damage within the recreation. Obviously, that may stop him from having a bounce-back efficiency and proving that he’s able to being the Raiders’ long-term answer beneath middle.
WINNER: No. 1 Pick
On a associated observe, the Silver and Black’s odds of getting its best choice at quarterback within the NFL Draft elevated over the Weekend. Not solely did the Raiders lose however the Jacksonville Jaguars received which implies Las Vegas holds the No. 1 general decide heading into the ultimate month of the season.
