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Coaches and players talk about the “24-hour rule” all the time, saying they give themselves a day to mull over the previous victory or defeat before moving on to the next game.
But sometimes things happen that are more difficult to overcome.
Apparently, this is the case with Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who on Monday looked like a man still bothered by the way his team lost to Miami on Saturday.
“The disappointing thing is that we played well enough to win that football game,” said Gruden, through Adam Hill of Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It all comes down to a bad move and it still sticks to my gut the wrong way now.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick of Miami somehow completed a 34-yard pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins with the defensive side Arden Key twisting his mask to the side of the head. The pass plus the 15-yard penalty put Miami on the 26-yard line in Las Vegas with 12 seconds remaining – so long that Fitzpatrick had to launch another incomplete pass to delay the clock.
“They have 19 seconds left with no time limit on the 25 yard line,” said Gruden. “For us not to leave the field with a victory, it is a pity, it is a shame and it is a reflection only for me. We have to do a much better job than that. “
Given the unique circumstances of the loss, it is not difficult to understand why she remains with Gruden. It may be a bit of a consolation, but at least the Raiders have a chance to end the season at 0.500 with a victory over Denver in Week 17.