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It’s been a long time since Jon Gruden went to New England as Raiders coach, as he’ll do this Sunday against the Patriots. A lot has happened since that day. Some things haven’t happened at all.
The year was 2002, and the Raiders lost the landmark “tuck rule” game, a playoff classic in a snowy Foxboro Stadium. The general consensus is the Raiders were robbed of a win by the officials, despite a call that was technically — and incredibly — correct.
It was Gruden’s last game of his first run as Raiders coach, as he was traded to the Buccaneers after that season. He later won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, against the Raiders (also incredibly). But he’s never defeated Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who was New England’s coach then just as he is now.
Belichick has racked up six Super Bowl titles since the “tuck rule” game, which greatly aided the start of the Patriots’ dynastic run, led by Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, who has since moved to the NFC. New England won its first title in 2002 after beating Gruden and the Raiders in the controversial playoff game.
And though Gruden moved on to Tampa Bay and had success, he lost to Belichick in his only chance with the Bucs. According to the Associated Press Gruden is 0-2 lifetime against his “tuck rule” foe, who is a defensive guru.
In fact, in Gruden’s second loss to the Patriots, his offense failed to score a single point.
It’s just two games, due to Gruden choosing the Monday Night Football booth over the sidelines for years, but the competitive Gruden surely wants to prove his modern, west coast offense can overmatch Belichick’s defense.
Especially considering that through two games in 2020, the Raiders offense has carried the club, with the defense struggling mightily. Can they continue their hot streak against Belichick on the road, setting up a possible victory?
First of all, Gruden will be without starting right tackle Trent Brown once again. But that hasn’t stopped the Raiders from scoring 34 points in each of their first two games.
Also, Las Vegas won’t have the services of wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who was ruled out on Friday.
Though Ruggs III has made an impact, quarterback Derek Carr completed passes to 11 different receivers against the Saints. Veteran wideouts Zay Jones and Nelson Agholor contributed in the Week 2 win, and they should be ready to step up in New England.
The two biggest factors for Gruden are still in play. That’s running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller. Jacobs, along with a high-performing offensive line through two weeks, makes Gruden’s offense go. Success in the run game makes everything easier for the Raiders’ offense and allows the defense to remain fresh, too.
Through two games, the Patriots allow 4.2 yards per rush, good for No. 11 in the NFL. Creating lanes for Jacobs will be a tough task for Las Vegas, which is also dealing with an injury to guard Richie Incognito.
But if the Raiders are to keep their high-scoring offense rolling, the run game must be established to some degree. Belichick is likely to pay special attention to Waller in the passing game, but if Jacobs is a threat and Waller occupies multiple defenders, the Raiders can use play-action and Carr’s other receivers should be open.
Especially considering that New England allows 8.3 yards per pass attempt, which is the 25th best mark in the NFL thus far. Carr, who had three touchdown throws in Week 2 with a QB rating of 120.9, will be counted on by Gruden to perform, whether the run game gets going or not.
In fact, it’s possible that Gruden prepares a pass-heavy gameplan. Though that’s unlikely considering the Raiders’ strength on offense.
Regardless, if the offense can score more than 30 points once again, they’ll give themselves a great chance to go 3-0 on the year. That’s an incredibly high number, however — scoring that many points per game seemed like just a dream during the offseason.
But the Raiders’ offense is hot. This is the time for Gruden to finally beat Belichick — the unquestioned best coach in the NFL — and his defense.
And while winning on Sunday wouldn’t erase the “tuck rule” game, when cornerback Charles Woodson forced Brady to fumble, um, I mean, to throw an incomplete pass, it could create brand new memories, not to mention put Las Vegas at 3-0.
“He did fumble that damn ball,” Gruden said Tuesday, of the infamous play. “But, I kind of felt like I was back in a time warp seeing Sean Payton and Drew Brees last night. Carolina Panthers, I thought I was back in the NFC South. Anytime you step in a stadium like that, it does bring back memories. Some of the memories aren’t great, but we’re excited to play.”
That’s because Gruden wants to start his own dynasty, just as the Patriots did with an assist from the tuck rule back in ’02. He’d love for his mission to get a boost against New England, and Belichick stands in his way. One game at a time, however, and this has a chance to be a big one for Gruden and the Raiders.