NFL Post Game Review. To score NO points in a game is embarrassing, never mind doing it coming off a bye week but that is exactly what the Las Vegas Raiders produced vs the Vikings on Sunday night in week14 of the 2023 NFL season. Aside from games where we have been completely dominated by a team (thinking maybe the 0-38 loss to the New York Jets, 2009) this is the worst game I have seen us play. While on defense we were consistent all night in making Dobbs feel uncomfortable and not able to find any rhythm, the offensive side of the ball lacked urgency, sharpness or any direction what so ever. AP will be evaluated on the W/L column in the games he is HC for this season and so far the Losses are out weighing the Wins.
O’Connell and Offense out of their depth
Zero points against the Vikings. Zero Points against the Vikings. Not sure where to start here. O’Connell and our OC are not fit to win NFL games consistently. That isn’t there fault, they are trying their best but we need to see more for either of them to be a permanent starter in this franchise. I don’t see it happening in the next 4 games. Raiders have scored 46 points total in the past four games. O’Connell can’t get into any sort of rhythm going, what was even worse was there was no urgency, no sharpness, no direction. What was even more disappointing is that this came off a bye week, having two weeks to prepare and you can’t get a single point on the board. It is just not good enough.
Mad Maxx is a Raider
Maxx Crosby completely epitomises what it means to be a Raider and what it means to be a defender on the Raiders. He is an Al Davis type of player from back in the day and I am so happy he is on our team. Maxx registered his 12.5th and 13.5 sacks of the season against the Vikings which took him to a career high. He is closing in on a franchise record of 16 sacks in a season set by Derrick Burgess back in 2005. In five NFL season he has 51 career sacks making him one of only five players to have racked up 50 sacks as a Raider in franchise history and only one to do it his first five seasons.
We Need a new HC, OC and QB
For me AP is not our guy, Bo is not our guy, O’Connell is not our guy. I don’t blame any of these guys, they are doing all I can ask for which is give 100% everyday and be allowed to be considered for their respective jobs. But with all things considered we need to go get a coach with Head Coaching experience. We have had so many years of being inadequate that now is the time to go get a leader who has been there, seen it and done it.
It is looking like we will have a good if not great draft position depending on how the last 4 games go. Whoever is HC will have the chance to pick there QB and take the franchise in the direction that they see fit. Mark Davis has a massive decision on his hands and I hope he gets the right advice from people who at best in class at what they do, know football and importantly know what they need to win on the field.
Next up we have the visit of the Chargers. This is a game that we can win but going off our performance against the Vikings, I am not expecting much to happen. Let’s see if this offense can find some rhythm with Aiden O’Connell or if AP reverts back to Jimmy G.