No fue fácil pero Las Vegas Raiders terminaron su temporada de manera positiva.
El Plata y Negro superaron cuatro balones perdidos, 14 castigos para 111 yardas y un inicio defensivo flojo para barrer la serie ante los Broncos y terminar la temporada 8-8.
"Estoy contento de que hayamos terminado de la manera correcta," dijo Maxx Crosby poco después de haber bloqueado un intento de gol de campo de 63 yardas en los últimos segundos del partido.
Waller y Jacobs fueron heroes de nuevo
La receta del éxito fue familiar para los aficionados de los Raiders: una fuerte dosis de Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller.
Jacobs terminó el partido con 15 acarreos para 89 yardas y dos touchdowns, el segundo de ellos desde la yarda uno concluyendo una serie ofensiva de 77 yardas y con el cual los Raiders tuvieron la oportunidad de conseguir la ventaja en la consecuente conversión de dos puntos. Carr conectó un pase de dos yardas con Darren Waller para ganar por un punto, 32-31.
Por su parte, Jacobs se convirtió en el primer corredor de los Raiders en iniciar su carrera profesional con temporadas consecutivas con mas de mil yardas terrestres, en tanto que Waller rompió la marca de recepciones en una temporada de Tim Brown, impuesta hace 23 años.
Carr termina fuerte
A pesar de lanzar dos intercepciones, Derek Carr jugó impresionante acumulando 371 yardas y dos pases de anotación aparte de la conversión de dos puntos.
El partido en Denver dio por terminada una de sus mejores temporadas estadísticamente hablando: 4,103 yardas (marca personal), 27 touchdowns y solo nueve intercepciones.
Carlson rompe record
Waller no fue el único Raider en imponer marca personal y de equipo.
El pateador Daniel Carlson superó la marca de franquicia impuesta por Sebastian Janikowski en puntos anotados en una temporada al terminar con 148 puntos.
Después del partido, expresó su gratitud en Twitter:
View photos from the Raiders' Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams unit during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 33-yard field goal during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) after making a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) and cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), defensive end Kendal Vickers (91) and linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) celebrates after making a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) celebrates with wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) after making a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Raekwon McMillan (54) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Devontae Booker (23) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch for a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with teammates after making a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
