The Oakland Raiders underwhelming performance in Minnesota was far from good, but Darren Waller continued to impress, setting his own career-highs.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller finished Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings totaling 13 catches for 134-yards (both career highs). His efforts in Minnesota finished – just one catch shy of the Raiders club-record of 14 receptions.
And that’s with his first catch coming in the second quarter.
Just under the two-minute warning with halftime approaching, Waller broke free downfield towards the sideline and dropped a crucial pass from Derek Carr with the team trying to punch another one in for six before time expired. Therefore, the Raiders were forced to punt on the next play and entered half trailing the Vikings 21-7.
Even after his spectacular day, Waller harped on the fact that he should have caught the pass that went through his fingertips as he answered questions about the drop during his post-game questions.
"“Absolutely, two hands on the ball,” said Waller as he spoke to reports after his career game. “There’s no question. It absolutely should of been caught.”"
He took the blame for not extending the drive before halftime, but that didn’t take away his focus once the third quarter started.
Waller looked to be Jon Gruden’s primary target in the second half and the Vikings had no answer to stop the young tight end. Waller finished the game averaging just over 10-yards per catch.
Other than Waller being the team’s bright spot offensively, Oakland really lacked production from other pass catchers. Despite Waller’s 134-yards receiving, J.J Nelson totaled the next highest total with just 36-yards.
Next week the Raiders will head to Indianapolis and face another stout defense. As Waller continues to be a hectic matchup for opposing defenses, everything points to him continuing to be Carr’s most reliable option in the passing game.
As he’s gotten off to such a hot start in his first season as a full-time starter, nothing says that week 4 against the Colts will be any different. Waller has already matched up against quality coverage linebackers and safeties through the first three weeks, and all indications show that Gruden is confident in getting the ball into his hands.