"Ladies and gentlemen, in front of the TV, you watch Fox TV, the Las Vegas Raiders on the road against the Washington Commanders. Now, less than twelve minutes are left for the Commanders to get back into the game. »
Now, the Raiders have to manage the clock, and if the Commanders can't find their offense, Las Vegas will win.
On the court, Shoya clearly feels the feeling of having his back against the wall. Gardner Minshew and Jarrod Johnson encouraged him, trying to explain that countless factors affect the game's outcome. There's no need to overthink.
"If you start doubting, those doubts will reflect on the offensive team." With a face full of sincerity, Gardner continued, "You have to believe in yourself no matter the circumstances. Now calm down and think about how you led the team to the touchdown instead. »
Shoya and the offensive squad arrived at their own 26-yard line.
"Attack!"
Standing behind the center, he grabbed the ball and passed it to Robinson, who ran to the left and gained 9 yards. Washington doesn't have a lot of time. Shoya knows that well, so he picks up the pace, giving the defense no respite to set up.
Then, once the instructions were given, he put the ball back in the hands of the running back, who ran for 3 yards. In 2nd & 1, there is no need to make a pass; it is much more efficient to gain the remaining yard on the run, and the Commanders move the chains.
After an incomplete pass and a one-yard run by Foreman, Shoya had to negotiate a crucial 3rd & 9 in their 39-yard line. There are 9 minutes left on the clock, and giving the ball back to the Raiders can be a death flag.
After receiving the bullet from the center, he quickly backed away and began looking for a target. Of course, it's a passing tactic! The Commanders don't have a choice, and the Raiders know it too.
"3rd & 9th, Barthelemy fell back, looking for a receiver. He takes it out of his pocket to save time... The rookie quarterback threw the ball, and it was a long pass.
"The pass was caught. It's Tim Cadet!! The Commanders leaped forward and found themselves in the opponent's half. »
He saw a crack in the Raiders' defense. Apparently, middle coverage leaves a hole. And Shoya won't shy away from hitting where it hurts. Another laser pass to Noah Fant allows the Commanders to enter the opponents' 20-yard line.
1st & 10 in the Raiders' 17-yard line. After kick-off, Shoya stepped back, seeing the entire lineup in the eyes.
The receivers accelerated directly in the right direction between the five-yard line and the end zone. With Mustafa well covered, the passing line was cut off. The Raiders covered the Commanders' receivers.
No offensive player available means no defensive players, either. It's a man-to-man cover; an empty area opens to him, and an idea is whispered. Shoya is not a pure pocket passer; he can run, and his speed is no joke.
He's slower than Moses, but giving him space is a bad idea.
So, he quickly moved to the middle of his pocket and started running.
"Barthelemy came out of his pocket. He started moving quickly, right in the middle. He's rushing! »
The defensive players tried to come back, but it was too late. Despite the distance, the receivers made the blocks and allowed Shoya to find a way. Accelerate, accelerate again, and increase your speed to the extreme in the end zone.
He rushed to the touchdown. Touchdown success!
From a process point of view, it's exciting, but from a result point of view, it's easy. Shoya didn't encounter any impact. Shoya, after throwing the ball to the referee, watched as he made a gesture confirming the touchdown.
The next moment, all of the Commanders' offensive players surrounded Shoya and celebrated with him. But not too much because Washington is still behind in the score. And Louie O'Galvin converted the extra point.
The Commanders' defense will allow Shoya to return to the field quickly.
"We still have time," Shoya repeated, "Now they are the ones who are anxious. We will score the touchdown and let the defense do what they do best. Clenching his fists, his words were simple, but Shoya's eyes were filled with conviction.
After a silence, he began to arrange a tactic. But he got sacked by Tyree Wilson. But it didn't matter. Following an incomplete pass on the next play, Shoya passed deep middle to R.J. Cesar for a gain that should have been 40 yards!
But lo and behold, the offensive lineman lost 15 yards. An unsportsmanlike conduct has been whistled against the Commanders, and Jarrod Johnson's anger is understandable. Is the team losing, and some players dare to be undisciplined? With offensive guard Justin Reeves on the volley from Niklas Oberg.
"You're going to stop your; now is not the time! We're fighting to get back in front, and you keep playing against us. If you don't have the same goal as us, get off the field immediately!!" He's irate, Niklas is angry. Shoya came to calm them down.
A calm quarterback will calm his offensive linemen, and a barker will make his line with a burst of aggression. Shoya is one of the quiet ones who won't shout often.
The game resumed after this episode, and the Commanders made good progress. So much so that they are now in the opponent's five-yard line. It was mostly the run that got us here, with a 19-yard big play from Foreman.
1st & Goal, in the Raiders' 5-yard line, Shoya is in no hurry. Which is the best option? Running, of course! The Commanders put a powerful running formation, and Foreman ran in the middle of the box.
The offensive line made what was necessary but not enough for the touchdown, but a gain of 4 yards is not to be denied, especially since there is only one yard left to score the touchdown. At the one-yard line, finding yourself having to make a field goal is a sign of failure that the Commanders can't afford.
2nd & 1, Shoya received the ball from center and pretended to pass the ball to the ball carrier and ran to the left, alone, and had no trouble completing the touchdown.
"TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS!" The stadium was overjoyed. The score returned to "20:20," and the Commanders did not care about overtime and attempted the two-point conversion, which Fant would complete.
The Commanders, with two minutes remaining, went back in front at 20:21 but were not safe. The Raiders will have the two-minute timeout and have all 4 of their timeouts.
Anything is possible, and the pressure will be on Ayinde Moses' arms (or legs)!