The Raiders had a tough state of affairs late within the fourth quarter. Holding onto a seven-point lead, the crew confronted a 4th and 10 from the Saints 36-yard line with 65 seconds left on the clock.

Normally, groups would punt the ball again to the Saints, who had no time-outs left. Hoping to pin them inside their own-10 yard line, coaches would hope that their protection may stop them from entering into the top zone.

However that’s not the choice Jon Gruden made. As a substitute of leaving the sport as much as his protection, he put his religion within the leg of his place kicker. Daniel Carlson stepped onto the sector to kick what can be a possible game-clinching area objective from 54 yards out. And never solely did he make the kick, he put it proper down the center of the goalposts with loads of distance to spare.

It was an aggressive name by Gruden, however it proved to be the suitable one. As a substitute of hoping to not lose the sport on the subsequent possession, he determined to win it proper there. Right here is Gruden explaining the logic behind kicking the sector objective after the sport:

“I noticed [Harrison] Butker for the Chiefs get three in a row yesterday, so I had a very good vibe. I stated if Kansas Metropolis goes to kick a area objective in that state of affairs I certain will. [Daniel] Carlson had a giant one in Charlotte final week about the identical distance. You realize we’re enjoying in a lovely stadium the footing is nice, the climate is nice there’s no wind and he had the look in his eye like he was going to finish a soccer sport and that’s what we did. I’m actually glad for him and Wealthy Bisaccia for having the boldness and skill to do this.”

With the Raiders not enjoying on a dust infield and not having to fret about wind, kickers ought to have a ton of success within the new Allegiant Stadium. Gruden can also be going to be aggressive and in opposition to a crew with Sean Payton and Drew Brees on the opposite facet, he didn’t need to go away the sport of their fingers.

It was the primary large gamble Gruden has taken in Las Vegas and it proved to be the suitable one. It gave the Raiders their second win of the season and it was arguably Gruden’s greatest win since his return to the Silver and Black.

Fortune favors the daring, it seems.

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