Turning point play of Week 17: Raiders 2-point conversion effort denied

The 2019 season comes to an end with a disappointing 16-15 loss to the Denver Broncos. This one came down to the bitter end with the Raiders needing a touchdown and extra point to tie the game to send it to overtime.

Following a 57-yard missed field goal by Brandon McManus, which seemed like an odd decision at the time, the Raiders almost came back to burn the Broncos.

Trailing 16-9, they took over on their on 47-yard line ith no timeouts, and 1:41 to work. Derek Carr engineered an eight play, 53-yard scoring drive which was highlighted by some great catches, one by Marcel Ateman and two by Hunter Renfrow.

The first big play of the drive came on 4th and 2 when Carr hooked up with Marcell Ateman for a gain of 11 yards. Ateman had to lay out and go to the ground to make the catch. The play would be reviewed and the catch was upheld to keep the drive alive.

On the very next play, Carr threw up a jump ball to Hunter Renfrow. Renfrow went up and high pointed the ball. It appeared that both Renfrow and the defensive back had their hands on the ball, and it was very difficult to see who came up with the catch. Both players continued to fight for the ball once they were on their ground, and the refs ruled that Renfrow did indeed come down with the ball. It was a highlight reel play for the young receiver.

Two plays later, it was again the rookie Renfrow who made the play, this time for a touchdown. Renfrow showed great hands, hanging on to the ball by his finger tips.

With nothing to lose, Gruden opted to go for the win with a two point conversion.

Carr took the snap, locked onto his target Renfrow, and made the throw. Renfrow was open, but before the ball could make it to him, defensive lineman Shelby Harris got his hands up and batted the ball away.

You can’t argue Gruden’s decision to go for the win. It was the right call. The ball would have been completed for the win, but it was just a heads up play by Harris to get his hands up.

The Raiders finish a once promising season on a down note, ending the year with a 7-9 record.