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Raiders HC Jon Gruden opens up about big win over Ravens
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders HC Jon Gruden on win over Ravens: 'I was like a cat; I had multiple lives today'

By Erin Walsh  |  Last updated 9/14/21

The Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a 33-27 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, and it was a back-and-forth battle, to say the least. 

The Raiders never held the lead during regulation. They thought they had won on the opening drive of overtime when Derek Carr hit Bryan Edwards with a 33-yard pass, but the wide receiver was ruled down a yard shy of the end zone. 

Then a deflected Carr interception in the end zone gave the Ravens the chance to steal the game, but Baltimore could not convert, allowing the Raiders another chance to end things. Carr didn't miss on his second opportunity, tossing a 31-yard touchdown to Zay Jones for the win. 

After the season-opening victory, Gruden said it felt like he had nine lives. 

"I felt like I died and woke up and died again. I was like a cat. I had multiple lives today," Gruden said. 

The Ravens jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Raiders and it took Las Vegas until late in the fourth quarter to tie things up. Gruden added that it took some time for the team to shake off the rust after a grueling training camp. 

"It's been a long training camp," Gruden said, according to Pro Football Talk. "We've had some adversity. At the same time, that's the first time these players have played. We didn't play them much in the preseason, it was a little sluggish early obviously. They put the wheels back on in the last 15-18 minutes and played good solid football. Something we can build on."

Monday's win marked the Raiders' first victory over the Ravens since Oct. 2, 2016. That game was also a nail-biter, with Las Vegas winning 28-27. 

The Ravens had beat the Raiders in their last two meetings before Monday night, holding the team to 17 points in each of those games. 

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