- Sunday night, Chargers coach Brandon Staley called time out and gave the Raiders a renewed chance to win the game in overtime.
- Many, including ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, did not understand Staley’s decision as a tie would have put Los Angeles in the playoffs.
- Read more news about the NFL here.
Well, the unthinkable almost happened Sunday night. The Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers almost tied, which would have put both teams into the playoffs.
Somehow, the very heavily-favored Colts lost to the Jaguars, which meant that if Sunday night’s game had ended in a tie, the Steelers then would have been bumped out of the playoffs.
With 38 seconds left in the Chargers and Raiders game it looked like that was exactly what was going to happen too.
And then, with the Raiders in possession of the football with a 3rd-and-4 at the Chargers 39-yeard-line, Chargers coach Brandon Staley inexplicably called a time out.
Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth couldn't believe that Chargers head coach Brandon Staley called a timeout with 38 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/1LyfA7yYXv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2022
The Raiders, who appeared content to go home with a tie and a playoff spot, suddenly changed their strategy, according to quarterback Derek Carr.
A few plays later and Las Vegas was the winner and the Chargers were sent packing with no playoff berth.
On Monday, former NFL coach Rex Ryan went OFF on Staley for his decision-making skills.
“We’re being robbed as NFL fans that we don’t get to see Justin Herbert in the playoffs,” Ryan said on Get Up.
“This guy coaches like he’s a Division III coach that nobody cares about,” Ryan continued. “It’s hard not to make the playoffs with a franchise quarterback, but congratulations, you did it.
“How he faces his football team after this one is incredible to me.
“Look, the Raiders were content. They were gonna take the tie. They absolutely were gonna take the tie,” Ryan went on. “But homeboy’s sitting there… timeout! What?! You’re brilliant with those time outs! You’ve got a way better football team than you got beat by, and you lost, you’re at home. I just think it’s ridiculous.
“And here’s the thing, people praise him! ‘I’m old school. Rex, you’re old school. This guy gets it.’ Yeah, this dude, he has no idea! He’s got no experience, he got nothing!
“And to me, you inherited a team you were born on third base thinking you hit a triple? That’s this cat right here!”
Rex Ryan went on to give props to Chargers QB Justin Herbert, but kept dropping the hammer on his coach Brandon Staley.
“This guy doesn’t get it! Brilliant? What makes him brilliant? He was a defensive coach that has a horrendous defense that can’t stop the run when you know they’re gonna run,” Ryan added. “Does that make you brilliant? No, it makes you a coach that’s supposed to be a defensive guru, but you never really earned your stripes, my friend.
“That’s what this is about, and this is about a guy that has an incredible football team. An incredible football team! As talented as anybody and he can’t get it.”
Tell us how you really feel about Brandon Staley, Rex.