The majority of people who coach and play in the NFL will argue there is no such thing as a moral victory – especially a Las Vegas Raiders team coming off a frustrating 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon in route to losing their sixth straight game.
However in the midst of the anguish, there's some optimism that can be found.
Two weeks after making coaching changes, things looked different under Scott Turner as the interim offensive coordinator. Turner was in the press box side by side with his father Norv Turner, former Raiders and Chargers head coach, who was recently hired as a senior advisor.
In Sunday's matchup in Miami, the Raiders netted 328 yards of total offense, their most in a game since Week 5.
"I thought communication was clean. ... I thought our front – there weren't a lot of miscues up there," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said postgame. "Again, just got to keep executing and straining a little bit more. We had opportunities. Brock had a big day. Gardner got rid of the ball quickly in the passing game. Opportunities there for shots but we didn't get them down there. I thought they moved the ball well. Positive stuff. Obviously, it's not good enough when you don't score enough to win."
The aerial attack was alive and well with Gardner Minshew II throwing for a season-high 282 yards plus two touchdown passes to tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ameer Abdullah. The only major critique that could be made of the offensive showing is not being able to score touchdowns in goal line situations.
"We didn't have a lot of possessions," Minshew said. "Felt like we were fishing with the ones we did get. Obviously still got to work on the red zone and do better there. Felt great taking care of the ball, obviously until the second to last drive, that was frustrating.
"A lot of positives to build on. I love the group we have. We're just going to keep showing up and keep getting to work."
And of course, the biggest silver lining of the Raiders offense was the showing of their 2024 first-round pick. Bowers was a massive focal point in the gameplan against the Dolphins, coming away with a career-high 13 catches for 124 yards.
The rookie tight end accounted for eight first downs along with a 23-yard touchdown gain.
"There definitely were a few plays in there for me for sure," Bowers said. "But my job is to catch the ball and get yards, that's about it."
Despite Bowers' modest nature when acknowledging his accomplishments and in-game mentality, his performance this season has been truly exceptional. He's the first rookie in franchise history with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards in a game while also leading his team in receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns.
"We're trying to do everything we can to feature our best player," Pierce said of Bowers. "He's playing like that and he's tough. He's physical. Doesn't want to come out of the game. … He's doing everything that we ask him to do as a rookie."
In defeat, the effort was visible against a tough and speedy Miami Dolphins team. However the end goal continues to be stacking wins, which this game can hopefully be a catalyst for in the near future.
"We've got guys that are going to keep going no matter what's happening," Minshew said. "Back against the wall, odds against us, we're going to keep stepping in there and shooting away."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 11 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 27-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders interim offensive line coach Joe Philbin on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61), quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) and quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) and cornerback Sam Webb (27) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a 23-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a 23-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates after making a 23-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) and cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) makes a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) celebrates after making a 10-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
