Finally, the Raiders can smile on Sunday. They beat the Jaguars 19-14 at Allegiant Stadium to snap their 10-game losing streak and taste victory for the first time since September.
The Jaguars (3-12) were driving for a potential go-ahead score until safety Tre’von Moehrig tackled Jacksonville running back D’Ernest Johnson short of the sticks on a 4th-and-11 play. It completed a gritty effort from Las Vegas. The team showed its muster after falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter and 14-13 late in the third.
Here are the Raiders winners and losers after Las Vegas hurt its position in the NFL Draft but played hard for coach Antonio Pierce, improving to 3-12 on the season.
Winner: HC Antonio Pierce
Pierce has been the last entry in the column many times over his team’s losing streak, so he starts the winner list this week. He likely needed a win to avoid being fired at the end of the season, and this game provided a golden opportunity.
Given how poorly the Raiders have played this year, a victory against the Jaguars wasn’t a given. His team played with spirit and didn’t lose hope when Jacksonville took a 14-13 lead on a 62-yard touchdown reception, or when the Jaguars had the football in hand with a chance for a game-winning drive.
Will it be enough to keep his job? Only team owner Mark Davis knows the answer. If the Raiders lost this game, however, Pierce might as well have started to pack his bags.
Winner: QB Aidan O’Connell
Starting Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell returned after missing a game with an injury and led an offense that was just good enough to get the job done.
O’Connell threw for 257 passing yards and displayed quality mobility all afternoon. He actually led the Raiders in rushing in the first half. But his masterpiece was a scramble and throw to running back Ameer Abdullah on third down after his squad had just fallen behind 14-13.
It appeared O’Connell would be sacked, but the drive continued and Abdullah finished it with a touchdown a couple of plays later.
How he do dat 🪄#JAXvsLV | 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/FfuCD2lEnk
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 23, 2024
O’Connell also had a timely 13-yard run as the Raiders drove for a touchdown by running back Alexander Mattison, which tied the score at seven points apiece.
Winner: RB Ameer Abdullah
Before Abdullah’s big drive in the fourth quarter, he had two quality punt returns that set up field goals by kicker Daniel Carlson. His go-ahead…
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