LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers dives into the end zone for a touchdown to win the game 30-27 during overtime against the Los Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Raiders lost another game against a weak opponent, and the team’s playoff chances took a huge hit.
The Las Vegas Raiders faced some early adversity Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers when Derek Carr left the game with a groin injury. Marcus Mariota was forced to fill in at quarterback and fans may have panicked.
But the former No. 2 overall pick actually played a solid game and was the team’s leader passer and rusher on the night. The problem was on defense. The Raiders let rookie quarterback Justin Herbert dominate and throw for 314 yards. The worst part? Making key mistakes in an overtime period that ended with Herbert scoring a touchdown with outstretched arms to win the game.
Raiders defense has a bad night
Carr leaving the game with an injury could have been the story of the night. But the Raiders prepared for such a situation by giving Mariota serious money to be the backup.
Perhaps a bigger story was the Raiders firing defensive coordinator Paul Guenther just a few days ago. The entire unit was reset on a short week and the end results didn’t improve after what can arguably be called a panic firing.
Herbert was only sacked one time and looked like a veteran quarterback throughout the game. Then came overtime.
The Raiders led a 14-play drive that ended with a field goal to make it 27-24 with just over three minutes remaining. Las Vegas’ defense followed that up with a total collapse.
A 20-yard pass interference call bailed out Herbert, who then threw a 53-yard pass to get his team right near the end zone. Add in a late helmet-to-helmet hit, and Herbert dove over the end zone to win the game before Raiders fans knew what happened.
The Raiders want to compete to win a Super Bowl. Giving up a five-play, 75-yard drive to a rookie quarterback to lose a game is not a great way to achieve that ultimate goal.
Las Vegas started the year with a 6-3 record. Then adversity hit and the team nearly lost to the New York Jets in Week 13. Carr going down was not even a factor in this latest loss that puts the team’s playoff hopes on life support. The problem is the defense, and Gruden may be wondering if letting Guenther go was worth it after dropping to 7-7.