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The longest losing streak in a decade is finally over for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Strapped down by a 10-game losing streak, Las Vegas beat Jacksonville, 19-14, Sunday, Dec. 22 from Allegiant Stadium. It counted as the second game of the week from the same location for the franchise.
Entering play, both teams combined for a 5-23 overall record.
“I think guys just appreciate more than ever how hard it is to win,” quarterback Aidan O’Connell said. “Definitely weight off the shoulders for sure. It was just fun to see the smiles again.
Ending the losing streak means pushing the team’s win-loss record to 3-12 this season with two more games on the schedule. The win took the Raiders from being positioned for the top pick of the upcoming NFL Draft down to No. 6.
When asked about fans concerned with draft positioning, Pierce directed those conversations to team general manager Tom Telesco. O’Connell also gave his thoughts on the draft positioning conversations surrounding the team.
“I don’t read anything so I don’t really hear it,” he said. “I think ignorance is definitely bliss and that’s how I’m rolling.”
Two of the final three games of the regular season including Sunday’s meeting will be home games for Las Vegas. The team’s final road game of the season will be played next week against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 29 with kickoff set for 10 a.m.
A strong second quarter provided the Raiders with the perfect boost to propel them to their first win since late September. The Jaguars scored first and took a 7-0 lead into the second 15-minute session.
Prior to the conclusion of the first quarter, O’Connell surprised many with a 13-yard run before finding receiver Jakobi Meyers for 24 yards through the air.
Those two plays would kick-start the game-changing second quarter for the home team.
“I was shocked just like you,” Pierce said of O’Connell running the football. “It was good to see. I’d like to see more of it.”
Running back Alexander Mattison would cap that drive with his fourth rushing touchdown of the season to tie the game at seven apiece.
Not long after kicker Daniel Carlson would give the team its first lead of the game with a 49-yard field goal. He’d nail an additional 37-yarder while missing from 46 yards in the winning effort.
Carslon’s second field goal counted for 13 straight points for Pierce’s guys.
“I just told those [special teams] guys we’re better than that,” Pierce said. “Understanding I believe in [special teams coordinator Tom McMahon], he’s a great coach, we’ve got some great specialists in Daniel and [punter AJ Cole] and those guys that play on special teams.”
Following those 13 straight points, Jacksonville had its next two drives end on fumbles that were gobbled up by Las Vegas. Coming into Sunday’s contest, the Raiders were -19 in the takeaway department.
The lone mistake offered up by the Raider defense in the second half came on a 62-yard deep touchdown pass from quarterback Mac Jones to receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. Earlier in the frame, he had a similar pass go just off his fingertips on a play where he had open field in front of him.
That score gave the visitors a brief, 14-13, lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Once again returning from injury, O’Connell provided a spark under center for the struggling Raiders. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers continued to be the top target no matter who takes snaps.
“I’ve said it from the jump, he’s all ball,” Pierce said. “He’s all business, he doesn’t blink, he doesn’t flinch. He wants to win. Whatever it takes to win, if it’s throwing him the ball or him blocking, he’ll do whatever it takes.”
O’Connell found Bowers for 32 yards on the team’s first play from scrimmage on his way to another record-setting performance. Bowers posted 99 yards on 11 catches in the win.
With his performance Sunday, Bowers is now second all-time in rookie receiving yards by a tight end while already being the all-time leader in receptions which he increased to 101. He is now 10 yards away from setting the all-time receiving yard record by a tight end.
“I try not to think about it because it stresses me out,” he said. “Nothing beats the feeling of winning, I just want to win.”
Bowers reached the 1,000-yard plateau early in the fourth quarter on a drive that was punctuated by a touchdown run by running back Ameer Abdullah. The 10-year veteran rushed for a team-high 38 yards and a score on seven carries. It’s the third time this season he’s rushed for 35 or more yards.
”We had the win in Baltimore and I thought that was a big win,” Pierce said. “But from a team standpoint where you need everybody in every aspect to really step up — don’t matter if it’s their first game being active [with] Aidan coming back. All these guys poured their hearts into it.”
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