Maybe, just maybe, 2016 is the Oakland Raiders’ year.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Raiders pulled off a 30-24 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, thanks to a 41-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Seth Roberts. Roberts somehow stayed on his feet despite getting tackled by two Buccaneers defenders and ran it to the house for the game-winner.
The win wasn’t without drama and mistakes.
The Raiders were penalized an NFL-record 23 times during the game, docking 200 yards from the club. It’s amazing Oakland was so undisciplined and still managed to score 30 points and hold the Buccaneers off. Coach Jack Del Rio might be happy with the win, but I can’t imagine he’s thrilled with his team’s constant mistakes.
The Buccaneers had plenty of chances to win the game. Jacquizz Rodgers scored with less than four minutes remaining in regulation — aided by a two-point conversion after another missed Roberto Aguayo extra-point attempt earlier in the game — to gain a late seven-point lead. However, the Raiders took the ball up the field 75 yards and tied the game on a Mychal Rivera reception with less than two minutes on the clock.
What a drive by @DerekCarrQB and the @Raiders to TIE it up in Tampa.#OAKvsTB #RaiderNationhttps://t.co/vb5I8cn82D
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 30, 2016
In OT, both teams had possessions before the winning score. Nobody appeared to want the win before Roberts’ TD.
The Raiders, now atop the AFC West, sit in unfamiliar territory. As ESPN Stats & Info notes, the club’s playoff chances are solid. Oakland is the 46th team ever to win five straight road games, with all previous clubs making the postseason. With five out of eight remaining games at home, the Raiders are in a great position the rest of the season.
If 2016 is the Raiders’ last season in Oakland, they’re at least going out with a bang.
