The 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders dealt with their first loss of the 2021 NFL season …
They did not receive an AFC Player of the Week award. Yes, you know the season is going pretty well if not getting a certificate counts as a loss.
Of course, the Raiders weren’t without candidates after their Week 3 31-28 overtime home win over the Miami Dolphins. Kicker Daniel Carlson could have been a winner (again) for kicking two field goals in overtime, including the game winner. The problem, though, was that Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker kicked an NFL record 66-yarder to end the game. That was a no-brainer.
Yes, Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr could have been an easy winner after throwing for 386 yards and two touchdowns. But Buffalo’s Josh Allen secured the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award after throwing for 358 yards, four touchdown passes and running for another score. That’s fair.
Ironically, Carr — who is leading the NFL in passing yardage — has not won the award this season. But don’t fret, he’s a major candidate to win the AFC Player of the Month award.
The Raiders first two wins were marked with players for the week honors. Defensive end Maxx Crosby won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for Week 1 and Carlson won the special Teams Player of the Week award after Week 2.
Don’t worry, there’s always next week.
