Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers 2021 Week 18: Studs and Duds

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Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders fans celebrate after the Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32 to earn a playoff spot at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers 2021 Week 18: Studs and Duds

Duds – No one but the doubters

There are of course a few players that struggled this week, but the Raiders are making the playoffs for the first time in five years so I’m not going to be negative. The only duds this week are the people that doubted the Raiders this year.

There were plenty of media personalities and pundits that buried the Raiders after the Jon Gruden firing and did the same after the Henry Ruggs incident. Most of these folks were national media types that did not have a great insight into the team and the organization so perhaps we could forgive them for doubting.

What was more unfortunate was the number of Raiders fans that gave up on this team several times this year. They didn’t think the team could succeed without Gruden and thought that the Ruggs incident would completely derail the season. The team did suffer because of both of these situations but their resilience was on full display in the back half of the season.

Now that the Raiders have done the improbable and secured a playoff berth, maybe now the doubters can look back on this season and enjoy what we have witnessed so far. It may come to an end in Cincinnati this weekend but anything can happen in the playoffs so Raider Nation must come together to back their team.

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