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Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) – New York Jets (4-5): 16-12
There was still room for the Jets. But to win, at some point, you have to go into the opponent’s end zone. It’s now been 36 offensive series since Zach Wilson (23/39, 263 yards, 1 int) and his teammates have done it. The defense once again kept the opponent under 15 points for nothing.
The Jets recovered the ball six minutes from the end with four points behind following a fumble by Josh Jacobs (27 carries, 116 yards) which gave them an opportunity to hold up. But on the opposing 20 yards, it was the arms of defender Robert Spillane that Wilson found. The Green defense then did what it does best: force a punt. New offensive with 52 seconds on the clock for Wilson. And this time a prayer that falls to the ground at the buzzer. Failed again.
Robert Spillane just made the play of the game! 🔥
📺: #NYJvsLV on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/lfCP1NFAnO pic.twitter.com/XrJL6bDHip— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2023
At the start of the match, penalties scuttled two New York offensives. Because there are many ways to shoot yourself in the foot. Wilson was not helped by a more discreet ground game than usual. He is also the best green runner of the evening with 54 yards gained on 4 races.
The Raiders on a flash from Josh Jacobs
If there’s one thing that’s clear since Josh McDaniels’ departure, it’s that Josh Jacobs is back at the center of the Raiders’ game plan. If the first offensives were surprisingly put on the arm of Aidan O’Connell (16/27, 153 yards, 1 TD, 1 int), the runner was quickly stuffed with balls after his quarterback was intercepted at the end of first quarter.
The Jets lead 9-3 at this point in the game thanks to three onside kicks. Jacobs often hits a wall. It takes a few passes to finally snatch a field goal before the break (6-9). After another kick to equalize in the third quarter (9-9), a 40-yard run from Jacobs finally broke things free. The Raiders are on the edge of the end zone, and O’Connell finds Michael Mayer for the only touchdown of the game, a difficult catch in the corner of the end zone (16-9).
The hardest part seems done… But New York gets closer (16-12) and Jacobs loses the ball. No problem, the defense and offensive ineptitude of the Jets do the rest. The Jets gained more yards and lost fewer balls. But they were penalized more and were less effective in the final yards.