Around the AFC West: KC Chiefs clinch the division (again!)
By Ellen Mathis
Las Vegas Raiders
This was, without a doubt, the most hilarious ending to a game I’ve ever seen. I hate the Raiders. I hate the Patriots. If there was a way for both of them to lose (and no, I don’t mean tie), that’s what I would love. However, this was fantastic.
The majority of the game was pretty blah. I actually expected the Raiders to jump way out in front and they did, but of course, we have seen that a big lead is the kiss of death for the Raiders. The Patriots slowly made their way back while stifling the Raiders offense until there were just seconds left in the game. The Patriots had the ball and it was clear that with the tie, they were headed to overtime.
But wait! Let’s see what happened…
"This might be one of the dumbest teams I've ever seen."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 19, 2022
Patriots radio call of the final play from Las Vegas.
(🎥 @MrMatthewCFB)pic.twitter.com/9KyNSJva1P
The Patriots handed the ball off and inexplicably, Rhamondre Stevenson decided to start flipping the ball around in an attempt to score at the end of the game. Jakobi Meyers apparently lost his mind as well and chucked the ball to Mac Jones. Chandler Jones, however, got in the way, intercepting the ball and returning it for a touchdown. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
Just take it to overtime; you aren’t losing! You don’t need to score! What in the world?!? Bill Belichick didn’t foster much confidence in his quarterback when answering for that terrible play either:
Bill Belichick was asked on @TheGregHillShow about his comments on Mac Jones not being able to reach the end zone on the final play.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) December 19, 2022
Belichick: “I said it’s too far. It’s too far to throw on that play in that situation.”
Wow.
Bill Belichick on the final play: "We made a mistake on the play."
— Alexandra Francisco (@ByAlFrancisco) December 19, 2022
Bill Belichick on the premature long snap that led to a blocked punt: "We made a mistake on the play."
After all that the Raiders get a win and somehow are still alive in the playoff race – I mean, they won’t get in, but technically, they are alive.
Next week, we get the Immaculate Reception rematch between the Raiders and the Steelers. Look, neither team is good so maybe we’ll see something fun but it will be hard to top this week. I’ll watch because I know that in May I will miss football, but this isn’t a game I’m particularly invested in. Go Steelers, I guess?