There is plenty for Raiders players to be frustrated about right now. They just watched another first half lead slip away. But even in times like these, you rarely hear players air their frustrations the way Josh Jacobs did after the game.
And everything he said was justified.
Josh Jacobs frustrated at another come-from-ahead loss: "It's bullshit. It's on us. Everybody wants to talk about the defense, but they made their stops when they're supposed to. We have to help them out. … and I am tired of saying that." #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 25, 2022
The defense helped the Raiders hold the Steelers to three points most of the game and held a one-score lead until the final minute. There’s no question, they did their part to get the win.
It was the offense that scored all of three points after the opening TD drive and zero points in the second half. Derek Carr throwing three interceptions didn’t help either.
Steelers were stopping the run but …
"We still had opportunities to make plays," Jacobs said. "I felt we were close and about to get a big one and we went away from it.
"The passing game was working early … but to win these games in the cold, you have to run the ball."— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 25, 2022
Carr probably shouldn’t have been putting it in the air as much as he did. The Steelers were stopping the run, that’s true. But Jacobs was only given 15 carries, seven of which came in the second half. While Carr threw twice as many passes (30). That’s not how you expect a game in 14-degree weather to go.
The losses are wearing on Jacobs:
"I'm tired of dealing with this … Everyday I come here and bust my ass and I see the guys busting their ass and the result is not there.
"For me, the last 4 years, the result has not been there. And quite frankly, I don't know what else to do."— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 25, 2022
This statement sounded very much like a goodbye. Jacobs is the NFL’s leading rusher and he is headed for free agency this offseason after the Raiders didn’t pick up his option. He literally said he’s tired of dealing with the same issue he’s dealt with for his entire career with the Raiders.
It’s a shame, really. But can you blame him?
