Instant reaction following Raiders crushing playoff loss to Bengals

The whirlwind that was the Raiders 2021 season has ended in disappointment following today’s loss in the Wild Card round to the Bengals.

The Las Vegas Raiders overcame the odds and bounced back following a disaster stretch of games back in December. Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia rallied the Raiders and got them into the playoffs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the team now heads back to Las Vegas, coming in on the short end of the stick in Cincinnati.

It was a relatively close game, even if the final score reflects a touchdown differential. The contest itself was marred by terrible penalties and even uglier officiating. Be that as it may, you don’t rely on the referees, you play to win the game, and the Raiders, for the most part, had their chance. Even as quarterback Derek Carr threw an interception towards the end of regulation, the team was in the red zone with an opportunity to send the contest into overtime.

We all know how the Raiders thrived in overtime this year, so at that point, it would’ve been anyone’s game. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be, and the Bengals now move on.

Unfortunately, this game disappointed all across the board. More importantly, it shed light on the team’s weaknesses. Sadly, it might have also marked the end of Bisaccia’s run as interim head coach. The bigger question now looms ahead regarding Mike Mayock’s future as well. Suffice it to say, the plane ride back will be a somber one.

As we all know, looking ahead to free agency, the NFL draft, and developments surrounding the head coach and general manager positions, there was much to react to in this one.