Reaction: Las Vegas Raiders Fall to New England Patriots
Henderson, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders fell to 2-1 for the season with a 36-20 loss to the New England Patriots. But the story as to why goes much deeper.
The Raiders franchise, famed for the Silver and Black and the pirate with the eye patch was etched in the foundation by former owner Al Davis, whose motto was, "Just win baby."
So with a franchise that avoids excuses, the reasons are legitimate. The Raiders were coming off a short week, having just played on Monday night and turning around and flying to the East Coast for the game on Sunday.
But the reasons are even more detailed.
To their credit, not one coach or player made excuses. They shouldn't, but as a beat writer, it is my job to be truthful and say why it happened. It's easy to do.
The Raiders, physically beaten up entering the game, watched their list of wounded grow longer today and to many, that is an excuse. Be that as it may, it is also reality.
Jon Gruden stepped to the post-game microphone and made no excuses. But I pressed him. I asked with so many injuries coming into this game, and then during the game, can you make too much of a loss? Don't you have to keep it in perspective with a 16-game season?
His frank answer showed his frustration: "Yeah, I mean it's hard, no doubt. We lose Brian Edwards today. We've already lost Tyrell Williams. We've lost Ruggs, two right tackles, and our left guard, our middle linebacker. We're in our second game. You start to wonder what the hell is going on, but this is the National Football League. It's for mentally tough men. We're all professionals. We're all getting paid. We if we need some young guys to step up, so be it."
But while the Raiders' head man was down, he refused to stay negative. He recognizes that the Raiders return home this weekend to the Death Star for a big contest, and he has to keep the ship full steam ahead.
"We gotta get a good-looking medical report, see who's going to be able to play," Gruden said. "But I like our team. Showed at times today. I wasn't perfect either. I made plenty of mistakes, but I do like the team. I like the way they hustle; I like the way they finish. We just gotta play better in some key situations."
How to watch or listen to the Las Vegas Raiders versus the Buffalo Bills Sunday?
TV: CBS 1 PM ET/10 AM PT
Radio: Raider Nation Radio
Odds: Unavailable at this time
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