On the same day that Raiders tight end Darren Waller torched the New York Jets for 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns, the lingering impression he left with his coaches and teammates wasn’t as a pass-catcher at all.
In fact, just before their biggest play of the season, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr motioned for Waller to stay near the line of scrimmage as a blocker rather than sprint downfield as a playmaker.
Seconds later, the impact Waller made picking off Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who was zeroing in on Carr in an all-out blitz, was every bit as important as any of his receptions. By perfectly executing his block, Waller allowed Carr to step up in the pocket and find Henry Ruggs for a game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass.
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