Raiders overcome loss of Jimmy Garoppolo for 2nd straight win
The Raiders’ understated locker room seemed unbefitting for a team that just won another game.
But then, their demeanor in the aftermath of a 21-17 victory over the Patriots on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium is far more telling than whatever puffing out their chest was missing after notching their second straight win.
It was equal measures of happiness, disgruntlement, encouragement and conviction.
The mix of satisfaction and frustration is the result of winning three of six games yet never coming close to throwing their best punch this season. Sunday was a classic example, as the Raiders survived the Patriots while scoring just one touchdown on six trips to the red zone and producing eight points in the second half.
They also lost starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the second half because of a back injury.
I just saw Jimmy Garoppolo get into an ambulance and he’s being transported from the stadium now. Just happened to be walking in tunnels and saw him get in. #Raiders
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) October 15, 2023
It took another gallant effort from the defense, including the sack and safety Maxx Crosby and Bilal Nichols combined on with about two minutes remaining, to close out the win.
“That certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there; I don’t think anybody would misinterpret that,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said. “But there were definitely some good things that we did, periodically, through the game in all three phases.”
Or, as running back Josh Jacobs said about the team’s mood: “It’s still a little chippy because we feel there’s a lot more we need to do.”
Need to and are capable of doing, players say.
“That’s what’s so encouraging,” said safety Tre’von Moehrig, who came up with his second interception of the season. “We know we can play better.”
The hopefulness is in winning two straight games to plant themselves in the thick of the AFC playoff race. That, despite the offense not cracking the 20-point threshold this season before Sunday and playing one full game and two quarters Sunday without Garoppolo.
Two weeks ago, rookie Aidan O’Connell replaced Garoppolo when he was out with a concussion. On Sunday, Brian Hoyer came off the bench after Garoppolo took a wicked hit late in the first half and was taken to the hospital at halftime for further evaluation of the back injury.
Hoyer did just enough in the second half to help stave off the Patriots by throwing for 102 yards and leading two field-goal drives. It was enough for the Raiders to wake up Monday alongside a bunch of fellow postseason hopefuls.
The Raiders understand they have more to give, but they’re proud of the way they worked to get back into contention after dropping three straight games.
“Don’t you dare apologize for victories in this league,” McDaniels told his team. “We don’t give any fish back here.”
The conviction rests with a defense that keeps getting better and the much-needed resiliency being built.
The Raiders didn’t flinch when Garoppolo, who led three first-half scoring drives while completing 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards with one touchdown and one interception, was forced out of the game.
“Jimmy’s our brother; we’re praying for him, and hopefully he’s all good,” Crosby said. “But you gotta go out there and win. It’s as simple as that.”
In coming up with the late-game safety, Crosby rebounded from the fourth-quarter roughing-the-passer penalty he took that led to a Patriots’ touchdown to cut the lead to 19-17.
“I felt like I let my team down,” Crosby said of the penalty.
Rather than sulk, he did something about it.
“Literally I told the guys, every single one of them, I got you all, I got you all.”
Soon after, he and Nichols sandwiched Patriots quarterback Mac Jones in the end zone to clinch the win. It was the second consecutive week the defense came up with the game-saving play.
“I’m not trying to speak too ahead of time, but defense wins championships,” said cornerback Amik Robertson, whose interception closed out the win over the Packers last Monday. “And we know if the offense is struggling, we have to pick up the slack.”
For now, that is how the Raiders have to win games. Whether that recipe stands the test of time remains to be seen. But the Raiders will take it without apology.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow@VinnyBonsignore on X.
