Las Vegas Raiders can’t let another rookie QB hurt them in Week 16
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders were shredded by Los Angeles Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert in Week 15, and they can’t allow it to happen again Saturday.
The biggest storyline for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins was which quarterback would get the start for the Silver and Black. Derek Carr significantly injured his groin during last week’s loss, and Marcus Mariota came in and absolutely put on a show.
On Thursday, Carr had no injury designation, so he is good to start for the Raiders, who are looking to keep their microscopic playoff hopes alive. On the other side, the Dolphins counter at quarterback with a rookie in Tua Tagovailoa, a player who has had some bright moments in Year 1 but has also looked like a rookie more than a time or two.
If they hope to win this game at home on Saturday night, they will have to avoid another letdown against a rookie quarterback.
Struggled against a rookie QB in Week 15
Heading into last week’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, we spoke about the Raiders needing to get pressure on rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. Making him uncomfortable would force the rookie to make mistakes, and neither happened in the overtime loss, one that basically ended their playoff hopes.
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn actually could have thrown the ball on every play, that is how bad the Raiders were at getting after Herbert, and making plays in the secondary. Tua has the talent to hurt this team with his arm, and his legs, something they just cannot allow with their season hanging in the balance.
To come away with the victory in Week 16, the Raiders have to make life miserable for Tagovailoa, who, like Herbert, has had his mistakes as a rookie this season. Maxx Crosby will lead a defensive unit that is ravaged with injuries, and COVID, but the hope is interim defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli can dial up the right gameplan against a player making his seventh start, five of which he has won.
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With time in the pocket, we have seen every quarterback have success against this porous Raiders defense, and Tua brings the added threat of making plays with his legs. If the rookie gets comfortable on Saturday night, it is lights out for the Silver and Black.