Loser: HC Jon Gruden
While the team had every chance to win, it felt like the coach was playing to lose. Jon Gruden’s conservative nature crept back into the fray with the Raiders depending on field goals that led to a 30-23 loss and his 23rd since 2018.
The Raiders lost two opportunities to field goals when they decided to kick them on fourth and short. The first half on their first drive where they settled for a 54- yard field goal. Then after halftime, they had another fourth and two but settled for a short field goal instead to make the game 17-16. When they did go for it on fourth down, it was a lousy run call, especially with the Bills crashing hard on the run.
The slow play on the last drive was just as ugly, with no urgency from the offense. This was the game where Gruden needed to elevate his team to victory. The coach continues his conservative nature that will not win you games in 2020 NFL football. Gruden has to be aggressive on fourth down and be better coaching throughout the game, or this won’t be a playoff team.
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