NFL Overreactions: Bills ‘Crush the Fish’, Bears Are Worst Team?
Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon “overreacts” to the biggest storylines from Week 4 of the NFL season.
The Las Vegas Raiders are off to a tumultuous start as the calendar approaches the quarter mark of the regular season.
Since the season-opening win, the Raiders have released disgruntled defensive end Chandler Jones after an arrest, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed Week 4 after being placed in the protocol with a concussion, and their top two offensive players have become increasingly frustrated with a three-game losing streak.
“It’s frustrating for me, man. I’m tired of losing. I’m just tired of holding 100. I’m tired of losing (expletive),” Raiders running back Josh Jacobs said after the team’s 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. “I feel like I go in there every day and work my (expletive) off. At some point something has to happen.”
Jacobs repeated almost the same words when the Denver Broncos released tackle Garett Bolles in Week 3, but the Raiders running back added some adult language. Both the Broncos and Raiders are in the basement of the AFC West at 1-3.
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Is frustration brewing?
The Raiders had three turnovers and nine penalties during their loss to the Chargers in Week 4. Las Vegas committed 18 penalties and nine turnovers during its three-game loss.
“A lot lies on our shoulders. A lot of it we did to ourselves,” said Jacobs, whom the Raiders signed to a one-year contract in August after a long wait. “Until we’re willing to look in the mirror and be willing to correct these things, it’s going to continue.”
Jacobs’ statements come a week after Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams’ comments that it wasn’t in his opinion “Mentality of sitting here and trying to take the whole season and figure it out.”
Jacobs could be playing his final season with the Silver and Black. And if the Raiders don’t show positive trends in the right direction, they could have an unhappy wide receiver.
“We are better than we play. We have a pretty talented squad,” Adams said. “It’s frustrating to be in these games and not be able to finish them, maximize the entire game and perform at a higher level throughout to make it easier for ourselves.”
“It’s both sides of the ball. I just feel like we’re not getting the most out of it. Everyone can definitely choose a different gear that we should stay away from. I just don’t think we have enough urgency right now.”
Coincidentally, the Raiders host Adams’ former team, the Green Bay Packers, in Week 5. If the Raiders fall for a fourth straight season, serious discussions could be in store for the direction of the franchise and its most notable players.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.