Gruden laments Raiders' season after final home game in Oakland
It wasn't the final chapter Jon Gruden wanted the Raiders to write.
Gruden's club squandered a 13-point halftime lead Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in its final home game in Oakland. The team will relocate to Las Vegas next year.
The Raiders were up 16-3, but 17 unanswered points from the Jags - including the go-ahead touchdown with 31 seconds remaining - gave the hometown crown one final heartbreaking defeat.
After the game, Gruden lamented one more stunning loss at the Coliseum and thanked fans for their support.
"I'd like to say we could have sent the Raiders fans off with a lot better finish than that," Gruden said, according to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports. "I think, most importantly, before we talk about the game, I'd like to thank the fans. I'd like to thank the city of Oakland for supporting the Raiders and being faithful in all kinds of seasons. I'll miss them. I love them and I'm sorry about the outcome today, but I think that's something that needs to be said. An exclamation point.
"I really apologize that we weren't able to deliver a victory."
The 6-8 Raiders finished the home portion of their season 5-3.
Despite carrying playoff aspirations, Oakland's likely out of the postseason hunt, as the club needs to win its final two contests and get help from multiple teams.
Oakland has made the playoffs only once since 2003, but despite the struggles, Gruden said the relationship between the city and its football team is forever.
"It's not really the result today, it's the results of the Raiders over the years," Gruden added. "It's the Raiders, it's the appreciation, the loyalty that these fans I think have had for the Raiders. We're going to miss them. The relationship is hopefully never going to end."
Oakland will close its campaign with two divisional contests on the road, against the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.
The AFC West team will play its first season as the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
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