AFC West Report: Which teams look like real contenders?
By Ellen Mathis
Las Vegas Raiders
Oh, Derek Carr, you are the king of writing a check your mouth can’t cash. Let’s revisit what Mr. Carr had to say before the Chargers game:
Derek Carr on road games vs. the #Chargers: “Whether it was in LA at that soccer stadium or in San Diego, it was another home game. You always looked at it as another home game and that was no disrespect, it’s just a fact."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 30, 2021
He expects it again this week.pic.twitter.com/3ruDiaMqFE
LOL. Seems like Los Angeles actually did show up and actually beat you. Plus, apparently everyone has you figured out: hit him once and he starts to shrink away when he feels a whisper of pressure. You love to see it.
The Raiders were hoping to maintain their undefeated season, but alas, they could not. Their defense was hard hitting and it was a great game, but they just don’t have the talent that the Chargers have. If I had bet on this game, I probably would have leaned Chargers simply because in my mind, Derek Carr is an average quarterback. I know national media wants to crown him MVP, but he always plays well for a couple games and then… well, Raiders gotta Raider, right?
My favorite play, however, did not come from the winners of the game. No, it came from Hunter Renfrow. If you did not see this, grab some popcorn and take a seat:
HUNTER RENFROW HIT STICK TO PREVENT THE FAKE PUNT COMPLETION 🤯
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/pm3hAkOgUf
Watching that play live was so impressive. Hats off to Renfrow (actually keep your hat on buddy, there seems to be some balding). The Raiders looked to have some fight after they came out of the half, but they weren’t able to put it all together. Pressure eventually got to Carr and the Raiders dropped to a three-way tie (although technically the Chargers are in first since they have the tiebreaker) in the AFC West.
I think what really sunk this game for the Raiders was that they had a ton of injuries in their secondary. Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, and Nate Hobbs all left the game with injuries which left them shorthanded against tough Chargers receivers. That kind of injury-laden game to a position group is a recipe for disaster. Herbert took advantage of the weakness, rightly.
Luckily for the Raiders, they have a pretty soft game next week. The Raiders play the Bears. That team, under head coach Matt Nagy, is fraught with controversy at the quarterback position. While Andy Dalton is nursing a knee injury, rookie Justin Fields has assumed the starting position. However, for some reason, Nagy won’t name him the full time starter when he clearly has more upside. I don’t understand what is going on but it certainly makes the team an easier target on the schedule. I think the Raiders win and advance to 4-1 on the season.