Much has transpired during the Raiders’ 2019 season: Hard Knocks and the Antonio Brown fiasco, unforeseen roster turnover, blowout losses, winning streaks, record-breaking rookies, an NBA-length road trip, injuries, agony, and triumph.
But this week, none of that matters. It’s the Raiders’ last game at the storied Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, and unlike the previous time the club left, they won’t be coming back. The home team must put on a performance to remember.
Luckily, the Raiders’ opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, come into The Coliseum limping, and Oakland is favored. Still, it will take an impressive effort from Jon Gruden’s bunch to reverse their own slide down the standings.
Here are the players to watch as the Raiders say goodbye to the venerable stadium and look to send their loyal fans home happy.
DB Daryl Worley
The Raiders defense simply must play better than they did last week, after allowing the Titans to rack up 500 yards of offense before the fourth quarter even started. The day after the game, coach Gruden said there will be changes on that side of the ball.
For starters, Oakland released safety D.J. Swearinger, who had been with the club just a few weeks. In a related development, cornerback Daryl Worley is expected to log some time at the back end of the defense to make up for Swearinger’s absence.
Worley is a favorite of Gruden’s, due to his willingness to tackle. That will serve him well at safety. Plus, he’ll have plenty of motivation after allowing a 91-yard touchdown reception against the Titans. Watch to see if Worley can bounce back at a new position and help the defense regain its composure.
DE Dion Jordan
Though Gruden said changes are coming on defense, it’s rare for new players to make an impact at this late stage of the season.
But recently acquired defensive end Dion Jordan could be the perfect remedy for Gruden’s situation. The former No. 3 overall draft pick is entering his fifth game with the Raiders this week. He played 52 percent of Oakland’s defensive snaps against the Titans, slightly more than DE Clelin Ferrell, this year’s No. 4 overall choice.
He’s already made a difference, batting a pass into the air against Tennessee so defensive tackle Maurice Hurst could intercept the ball and nearly run into the end zone. Watch to see if Jordan can show his draft pedigree and find a home in the NFL with the Raiders.
DT P.J. Hall/DT Maurice Hurst
After such a putrid performance last week in Oakland, some of the young pieces on defense need to show they are part of the solution, not the problem.
Second-year defensive tackles Hurst and P.J. Hall fit that category. Each has flashed potential and provided some pressure, but they’re not providing enough punch from the inside. Upon returning to the Raiders, Gruden talked extensively about the need for disruption from the defensive tackle position, and these two have fallen short of expectations.
The Titans entered last week’s contest having allowed a whopping 49 sacks, but Oakland couldn’t notch one that day. While the entire defense is to blame, these two seemingly possess the power and quickness to do more damage. Watch to see if hey can step their game up on Sunday and ensure they’re still in Gruden’s plans.
QB Derek Carr
With the Raiders having a terrible go of it the last three weeks — they were outscored 116 to 33 during that time — it’s been especially hard on quarterback Derek Carr, who is a lightning rod among the fan base, galvanizing those who support him along with others that would rather Gruden move on from his signal-caller.
In fact, despite the atrocious defense last Sunday, it was the offense that was booed by fans. Unlike the defense, much is expected Carr and Gruden, especially after it seemed they found a groove as the Raiders climbed to a 6-4 record.
It didn’t help matters when Carr threw the ball away on a 4th-and-1 at the goal line during the final moments against the Titans. To many in the crowd, it was an unacceptable surrender. Watch Sunday to see if Carr can win the fans back in his last game at the only home stadium he’s ever known.
WR Corps
On that 4th-and-1 failure, Carr rolled to his right, extending the play, and wasn’t satisfied with his options, gesturing disapprovingly with his arms toward his receivers after throwing the ball away.
The Raiders’ offensive line often allows Carr ample time in the pocket, but frequently, Carr can’t find an open WR. Not helping matters, the position has been a revolving door for much of the season. Most notably for this week, WR Hunter Renfrow is still out after being injured in the Jets game three weeks ago. He had earned Carr’s trust and become a go-to guy.
Perhaps WR Rico Gafford — recently promoted from the practice squad and fresh off a one-catch performance with a 49-yard touchdown — can continue to make a difference. Maybe WR Tyrell Williams, a favorite of Carr’s early in the campaign, can finish strong. Zay Jones is another possibility. It would be nice if the Raiders could get a significant return for the fifth-round draft pick they surrendered for the wideout.
Wide receivers Marcell Ateman and Keelan Doss are another two players on the roster that Gruden and Carr can consider. But somebody, anybody, has to step up, especially with tight end Foster Moreau out for the season. That largely ruins the three-tight end sets the Raiders often run. Watch to see if Oakland’s wideouts can pick up the slack and give Carr some easy targets.
As the Raiders’ veteran QB, Carr is also tasked with instilling the importance of this game to his teammates while on the field. During the week, Gruden is almost assuredly hammering the point home: the Raiders need to honor the decades of history that’s taken place within The Coliseum’s walls and perform at a high level.
Plus, if the Raiders win, they will be that much closer to ending this topsy-turvy season on a high note. But on Sunday, that won’t matter. The only focus will be to win this single game and send The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum out in style, giving their fans one last celebration in the Raiders’ historic home.
