Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) – New England Patriots (7-7): 30-24
The Raiders have a specialty this season: losing a game they largely lead. It could have happened again against the Patriots, but a defensive touchdown on an incomprehensible side pass from New England finally gave victory to Las Vegas in a chaotic end to the game. This monumental and incomprehensible blunder sealed the match.
Leading 17-3 at halftime, the Las Vegas franchise was completely scuttled afterwards, before making a crazy comeback in the last two minutes with the touchdown equalizer from Keelan Cole (50 yards, 1 TD) and therefore this defensive touchdown from Chandler Jones. Derek Carr (20/38, 231 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) saved his game at the end, Davante Adams (28 yards) was transparent and only Josh Jacobs (110 yards) saved the day.
The Patriots came back thanks to Kyle Dugger, author of a pick six, and Rhamondre Stevenson (172 yards, 1 TD), the real engine of the attack. The ground game saved New England, but in the end it was a cruel defeat for Mac Jones’ teammates ((13/31, 112 yards).
Las Vegas still has a slim playoff hope, as does New England.
A sluggish start to the attacks
In a soporific start to the match, the two attacks begin with a sluggish performance. IF Las Vegas is resting on Josh Jacobs, the Patriots are trying to go through the air. After an exchange of field goal, it is the Raiders who unlock the situation with a touchdown from Darren Waller (10-3).
As the first act seems to end, the Raiders take a decisive advantage, taking advantage of a blocked punt to obtain a good position on the ground. Derek Carr finds Mack Hollins (40 yards, 2 TD), and Las Vegas flies away (17-3).
Return of the Patriots
Despite himself, it was Derek Carr who revived the Patriots. His pass is intercepted by Kyle Dugger, who returns for touchdown (17-10). New England’s offense is amorphous, but the defense keeps the team in the game.
The Patriots are back, and the offensive ground game is regaining color with Rhamondre Stevenson. Enough to advance, but not to conclude, Mac Jones and his teammates are satisfied with a field goal, then another (17-16). The Raiders have been unrecognizable since returning from the locker room.
While the match is bogged down again in boredom, New England will unblock the situation with two decisive games. A pass from Mac Jones to Jacoby Meyers (47 yards) for 39 yards then a 34-yard run from Rhamondre Stevenson. Touchdown, New England flies away (17-24).
Las Vegas at the end
Las Vegas is teetering on the brink, yet it’s a stroke of genius that will get the Raiders back. Derek Carr finds Keelan Cole for the touchdown less than a minute from the end, to equalize and snatch, it seems, the extension (24-24).
But the Raiders are going to win this game well in regulation time, Chandler Jones taking advantage of a side pass in his hands from a Patriots player to come up the field and win. An incomprehensible decision.
