Oakland Raiders: The good, bad, and ugly from week two loss to Denver
By Kevin Saito
The Oakland Raiders dropped a gut-wrencher of a game in Denver in week two – time to take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from the loss.
Well, at least the Oakland Raiders can say they didn’t have anybody retire on them at halftime. Have to take the Silver and Black linings where you can find them, right?
There’s no question that heading into week two, the Raiders needed to make a statement. And they did. Unfortunately, that statement isn’t what anybody hoped it would be. And suffice it to say, within the Raider Nation, the natives are quickly growing restless.
Head coach Jon Gruden rolled into town like a conquering hero. Crowds cheered, bands played, people wept, and parents named their children Chucky to honor him. All that was missing was the triumphant Roman chariot ride straight to midfield in the Coliseum. Surprisingly enough.
More from Las Vegas Raiders News
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- Raiders: Bryan Edwards out, Henry Ruggs doubtful for Sunday
- Raiders: Damon Arnette re-injures thumb, could be headed to IR
- Raiders fall short in letdown Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots
- Raiders: Game breakdown and prediction for Week 3 at New England Patriots
Perhaps, Mark Davis should have given him that after all – and included the man standing behind him whispering, “remember, thou art mortal,” into his ear.
One offseason and two games into his second go ’round as Oakland’s skipper, and Gruden is already being burned in effigy in the streets. Obviously, this is not how he’d envisioned it all going down when he came down out of the press box, and strapped on the headset again.
But, here we are. Two weeks in, two losses. Although, there are plenty of encouraging things to take away from both games, the NFL isn’t a league where moral victories count for anything. In the NFL, you win, or you perish.
The Raiders played a solid game against Denver, and for the second week in a row, took a lead into halftime. And, for the second week in a row, they failed to close out the game. The plan for the game was pretty solid, overall, but it’s more than clear, this team doesn’t have a finishing move.
Which is a problem.
The Raiders have been Jekyll and Hyde between the first and second halves, so far this season. They come out like gangbusters, only to fizzle out over the final 30 minutes of game time. It’s a disturbing trend, to be sure. And one they’re going to need to reverse sooner, rather than later, if they hope to keep their heads above water and climb back into this thing.
While the Raiders try to figure out how to get out of the hole they’re digging for themselves, let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from their week two loss to the Broncos.