‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'

Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Wanted: Defensive coordinator

The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Raiders’ good, bad, ugly

NEWS & NOTES

The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.

Looking back at 2020 season

The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.

Gruden feeling the heat?

“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”

From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards

S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.

Checklist for 2021

Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.

‘It's fun to learn positive things once in a while'

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has had his hands full trying to keep the Raiders in the playoff hunt and he’s found plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their chances. Gruden talked to reporters about some of the team’s players who will be key down the stretch, including kicker Daniel Carlson who quietly has put together a very solid season.

TIME FOR PLAYOFF PUSH

What appeared to be a pretty clear path to the playoffs following their last-second loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 quickly turned into a rocky road that had the Raiders on the outside looking in at the postseason.

DESPERATE DEFENSIVE LINE

It is no secret that the key to a good defense starts up front. Playing well in the trenches can make up for a host of troubles on the back end and makes any defensive coordinator’s job much, much easier.

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

TEAM THAT BUILT ITS HISTORY AND LEGACY OFF OF THE DEEP BALL

Morrow making moves

For a guy who went undrafted and who has never really had a lock on a starting job, Nicholas Morrow might very well be the most important player on the Raiders defense this season.

Incognito out after surgery

Richie Incognito’s season officially ended after the veteran offensive lineman underwent foot surgery in late November. It also might have signaled the end of Incognito’s stay in Las Vegas.

Free agent frenzy turns to fizzle

From the first pick to the last, the NFL draft is a complete roll of the dice. There are no sure things, no guarantees of a player’s success regardless of where he gets selected. Every team rolls the dice and hopes for the best.

CONFIDENCE BOOST

Ruggs back on right track after reeling in game-winner

Anchor aweigh?

Raiders have decision to make about oft-injured OT Brown

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers

ROOKIE REVIEW

Given the success the Raiders had with their 2019 draft class, expectations coming into 2020 were that general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden would be able to come at least reasonably close with their new batch of draftees.

Where's Raiders pass rush?

Trying to figure out exactly what’s wrong with the Raiders defense can neatly be fit into three boxes: A lack of talent, poor schemes, or both.

‘Our interior three have played excellent football'

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s team reached the midpoint of the season with five wins and looking for more as the schedule hit mid-November. They did it despite numerous hurdles, including having all five starting offensive linemen quarantined at one point. Gruden addressed some of those issues, along with others, during his daily meetings with reporters.

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Josh Jacobs’ second 100-yard game of the season couldn’t have come at a better time.

Violations cost Raiders draft pick

League strips Las Vegas of sixth-round selection

THE OL UNDERSTUDIES

Injuries force backup linemen into star roles

Booker boosts backfield

The Raiders are running the ball better than they did a year ago, which is not too surprising considering Josh Jacobs has managed to stay healthy and continues to be the productive back he was as a rookie.

Carr could be in conversation for MVP

The race for the NFL MVP award is lined with customary names like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

WHAT’S UP DOC? Laurent Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the NFL season to put his medical degree to use.

Addition of Agholor adding up

When the Raiders used the 12th overall pick on speedy wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, coach Jon Gruden understood that he had to loosen the strings on his conservative offense and open up the passing attack more.