Here's to Next Year

Here’s yet another, late season game in which both teams are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. This will be a game used to help mold both teams in the future. Putting some good things on tape, making an extra effort play, or contributing on special teams are all things that will be considered come roster-building time. So, what is the outlook for each team? For the Raiders, I think a complete revamp is in order. There will be guys you keep; Aidan O’Connell, Brock Bowers, Trea Tucker, Jakobi Meyers; some defensive guys like Robert Spillane and Tre’Von Moehrig, but most of the team will be on the chopping block. I’d keep Gardner Minshew for QB depth, but I imagine they will have designs on a QB in the draft this year. Hopefully, Antonio Pierce will be back, like Demeco Ryans, he is a former player that is a true leader a team can rally behind. He is also not a bad coach. The Raiders have had impressive games against Ravens, Rams, and Chiefs twice, as all of these games ended in one score or less. There will be a lot of restructuring, but I don’t think all is lost for this team.

The Saints will have a much bigger question about what to do with Derek Carr next year. He really hasn’t played bad enough to warrant moving on from him, but there was a lot left to be desired this year. He only had 2,145 yards, 15 TDs and 5 INTs in his 10 games played this season. They definitely have pieces between Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, (who is out for the year), Rasheed Shaheed, and their tight end pair in Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill. Kendre Miller has also shown promise in his few moments this year, paired with Jamaal Williams and Kamara, they could have a decent backfield. Their defense will need a lot of work next year, as they stand 3rd worst in the league. Oh, right, there’s a game between these two teams. I think the Saints take this one at home, the Raiders are 1-7 away this year, and the Super Dome can get loud.

POSTGAME:

Aidan O’Connell once again has Las Vegas’ front office in a tailspin. They will obviously go get a QB in the draft this year, but I mean, this kid can play. He has shown that now over two years, he just needs some support and belief. He finished the game with 242 yards, going 20/36 and throwing 2 TDs and 0 INTs. And these pieces the Raiders have, some won’t be kept, but they have playmakers. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 115 yards. Seven different receivers targeted multiple times a game and all of them coming up with catches and yards. That’s team play, even when your team isn’t the best. The Saints have that issue, but again, no true head coach, lots of injuries, just a bad year. They had trouble, but that’s kind of what we expected.