WEEK 10
• Who: Jets (4-4) at Raiders (4-5)
• When: 5:20 p.m.
• Where: Allegiant Stadium
• TV: NBC
• Radio: Raider Nation Radio 920 AM, KOMP 92.3 FM
• Betting line: Pick’em, over/under: 37
The Las Vegas Raiders are back to .500 after Robert Spillane came up with a game-sealing interception to preserve a 16-12 win over the Jets on Sunday Night Football.
It was a dramatic victory for the suddenly surging Raiders, as New York drove inside the red zone with a chance to win in the final minutes. On 2nd-and-9, Zach Wilson attempted to zip a pass over the middle to Allen Lazard, but Spillane, who has turned into a playmaker for the Raiders this season, jumped the route and made a clean interception with 1:14 to play.
The Raiders went 3-and-out on the ensuing possession, giving New York one final desperation drive, but Wilson's Hail Mary attempt from midfield fell incomplete at the goal line as time expired.
Despite a late fumble, Josh Jacobs was an offensive star for Las Vegas, finishing with 116 rushing yards on 23 carries. Rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell hit on 16-of-27 passes for 153 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
The Raiders are now 5-5 on the season and 2-0 since firing Josh McDaniels and installing Antonio Pierce as interim head coach. Due to a glut of teams bunched up on the fringes of the AFC playoff picture, Las Vegas is now only a half-game out of the seventh and final playoff spot.
Jacobs fumble gives Jets late life
Las Vegas was this close to putting this game away, but a Josh Jacobs fumble has given the Jets new life. Now it's up to the Raiders defense to protect a 16-12 lead with 5:58 to play.
It looked like the Raiders were on the verge of clinching the win with a tough, grind-it-out drive, as they chewed up more than five minutes of game time while advancing to the red zone. But Jacobs was unable to hold onto the ball as he was dragged down on a short run, and the Jets recovered.
New York hasn't been able to do much on offense all game, but stranger things have happened. The Raiders defense will have to come through one more time.
Mayer touchdown puts Raiders in front on SNF
Rookie tight end Michael Mayer went up high to bring down a 7-yard touchdown catch to give the Raiders have their first lead of the game, and with 11:58 remaining Las Vegas is ahead, 16-12.
The game was tied, 9-9, and Las Vegas faced a 2nd-and-6 from the 7-yard line. Mayer was not the first read on the play, as quarterback Aidan O'Connell looked left before scrambling out of the pocket and lofting a pass to Mayer on the right side. Jets safety Jordan Whitehead had good coverage on the play, but Mayer elevated over the top and made the catch in the end zone to put Vegas up, 16-9.
That was the game's first touchdown, and it might be enough to give the Raiders the win tonight. New York answered by driving for a 45-yard field goal to trim the deficit, but unless Las Vegas commits a major miscue, it's hard to envision the Jets scoring a go-ahead touchdown.
Raiders tied with Jets heading into fourth quarter
Heading into the fourth quarter, this is very much a winnable game for the Raiders, as a Daniel Carlson field goal just knotted the score at 9-9.
It was an unconventional, if productive, scoring drive for the Raiders. After DeAndre Carter's 41-yard punt return set them up in New York territory, the Raiders moved 23 yards in 11 plays to set up Carlson's tying 40-yard field goal.
The defense added to Las Vegas's momentum by getting a 3-and-out and forcing the Jets to punt again almost immediately. On the first play of the ensuing drive, the offense finally got a big play, as Josh Jacobs just took a handoff, skipped through the first wave of defenders and broke into the open field for a 40-yard gain. Jacobs was eventually forced out at the New York 13-yard line, giving the Raiders a real chance to score the game's first touchdown.
The Raiders were averaging a paltry 3.8 yards per play before Jacobs's big run, but they are somehow still in position to steal this game if they can squeeze points out of one or two more possessions. A touchdown here would go a long way, as the Jets have not shown any indication they are capable of getting into the end zone.
Raiders trail Jets in third quarter of SNF
There have been three possessions in the second half, and all three have ended in punts, as the Jets are still holding a 9-6 lead with 8:48 remaining in the third quarter.
The Jets have gone 3-and-out twice, sandwiched around a Las Vegas 3-and-out. The Raiders just took over and will have pretty good starting field position after DeAndre Carter returned the most recent punt 31 yards to the New York 45.
If Las Vegas is going to find a way to crack this Jets defense, this would be a good time. The Raiders should definitely come away with points on this drive, as they're starting just outside Daniel Carlson's field-goal range.
Raiders trail Jets after touchdown-free first half, 9-6
After a touchdown-free 30 minutes, the New York Jets have kicked their way to a 9-6 lead over the Raiders at halftime.
Neither offense has put on a show worthy of prime time. Las Vegas has been unable to generate much via the ground game, as the Jets have closed down all running lanes; Josh Jacobs has nine carries for just 29 yards, with a long gain of six yards. The passing game has centered almost entirely around Davante Adams, as O'Connell has targeted his top wideout on eight of his 12 attempts.
O'Connell is 11-of-17 passing for 123 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception.
The Raiders were able to move the ball on the half's final drive, moving from their own 20, across midfield and just into Daniel Carlson's field-goal range. Carlson booted a 54-yarder at the buzzer to pull Las Vegas within three points.
Defensively, the Raiders have held up against New York's low-powered attack. Robert Spillane had a sack on the Jets' final drive of the half, helping to force a punt that led to Las Vegas's field-goal drive.
It feels like the first team to get into the end zone tonight may be the winner. Can the Raiders get there first? New York will receive the kick to open the second half.
Jets take 6-3 lead over Raiders in second quarter
The game's first big mistake just came courtesy of Aidan O'Connell, as the rookie quarterback threw an interception to set up New York with a short field at the end of the first quarter.
The Jets have a 6-3 lead and will look to tack on another score when play resumes.
O'Connell dropped back on 2nd-and-11 and looked to find Davante Adams, who has been his preferred target tonight, but Jets safety Jordan Whitehead broke on the pass and snagged the pick. O'Connell is 6-of-8 for 70 yards, with six of those passes intended for Adams (four catches, two incomplete).
The Jets will start the second quarter with a first down at the Las Vegas 26-yard line.
Raiders, Jets trade field goals, tied at 3-3
After trading field goals, the Raiders and Jets are tied, 3-3, midway through the first quarter.
The Raiders came out throwing, with rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell dropping back on each of the first three snaps. All three targets went to Davante Adams, and though he hauled in the last two, he came up a yard short of the marker on third down and Las Vegas was forced to punt.
The Jets ate up the field on a 41-yard pass from Zach Wilson to Garrett Wilson, but the Raiders defense stiffened after that. Maxx Crosby had Zach Wilson in his grasp for a sack, and Wilson threw the ball away in a panic; he was tagged with intentional grounding on the play and New York had to settle for a field goal.
Adams was again the focal point of Las Vegas's ensuing drive. O'Connell found him for a 41-yard gain across midfield, setting up a Daniel Carlson 42-yard field goal to knot the score.
Adams appears on track for his most productive game in weeks, as he's already got four catches for 59 yards.
Kolton Miller out for Raiders on Sunday Night Football
The Raiders will be facing one of the top defensive lines they’ve seen all year in the Jets tonight on Sunday Night Football, and they’ll have to manage the unit without their best blocker.
Left tackle Kolton Miller, a team captain, was just officially ruled out with a shoulder injury by being included on the inactives list. Miller came into gameday listed as “doubtful.”
Las Vegas got better news on at least one “questionable” starter. Cornerback Marcus Peters was cleared to play.
Fullback Jakob Johnson, however, was not. Johnson suffered a concussion two weeks ago in a loss at the Lions and has yet to pass out of league’s protocol to return.
Peters had only practiced in a limited capacity this week with a knee injury.
The Raiders’ other inactives are quarterback Brian Hoyer, linebacker Jaylon Smith, defensive tackle Byron Young, defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera and defensive end Isaac Rochell. Silvera played a few snaps and made at least one play last week in a win over the Giants, but now joins fellow rookie Young on the bench.
The Jets’ most notable inactives include wide receiver Randall Cobb, tackle Billy Turner and defensive end Will McDonald (who was listed as questionable).
PREGAME
The second game under interim coach Antonio Pierce’s watch gets primetime treatment, as the NBC cameras come to town for the Las Vegas Raiders’ second appearance on Sunday Night Football this season.
There was some speculation that the network would use its ability to “flex” the game out of the slot because of both teams’ struggles, but the deadline passed and the matchup remained intact. Perhaps part of NBC’s reasoning for sticking with it is the rich storylines the game presents.
Las Vegas is one of the talks of the NFL after the way it came out with passion and purpose last week in a 30-6 blowout win against the New York Giants. The coaching change from the fired Josh McDaniels to Pierce seems to be a welcomed one by the players.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling around the Jets that prized offseason trade acquisition/four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers could return from an Achilles tear before the end of the season if the team is still in the playoff race. Backup Zach Wilson has found it difficult to keep the Jets afloat, though, as he is the second-lowest rated passer in the NFL by QBR, ahead of only Carolina rookie Bryce Young.
Favorable matchup: Maxx Crosby vs. Jets’ offensive line
The Jets came into the season as a trendy Super Bowl sleeper with only one major weakness — their offensive line. And somehow, the unit has been even worse than anticipated. It ranks dead last in Pro Football Focus’ ratings and has neither pass-protected nor run-blocked well. This looks like an ideal spot for Crosby to build on what’s already been the best season of his career, as he’s accumulated a league-leading 13 tackles for loss and a second-most 9.5 sacks. Crosby had three sacks, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss in the victory against the Giants, and it felt like he could have done more. He’ll get his chances against the Jets, especially since he should primarily line up against right tackle Billy Turner, who’s been the biggest liability for the visitors. Turner gave up three sacks and 10 pressures in the Jets’ 27-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. New York will likely give Turner help and double-team Crosby on most snaps, but that hasn’t done much to stop him so far this season.
THEY SAID IT
“You know what type of game it’s going to be. It ain’t going to be a shootout, I can tell you that.” -Pierce projecting how Jets at Raiders will play out when asked about facing off against another defensively-minded coach in Robert Saleh
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“It’s back to the Raider Way of old school with (former players like Ted Hendricks, George Atkinson, etc.). They’re known for being different, the outlaws of the league. When I first got drafted here, that’s what I bought into. I was like, ‘That’s me.’ I felt like I was meant to be a Raider because I don’t fit in in normal situations.” -Crosby on the confidence the team played with under Pierce and the criticism it received for lighting up postgame victory cigars in the locker room
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“They said, ‘If you’re able to play through the pain, you can play,’ so we casted it up and went to work…The hand, me and my friends always joke, is a long way from the heart so I always knew I was going to play.” -Linebacker Robert Spillane on playing against the Giants five days after having surgery to repair a broken hand suffered in the first quarter against the Lions, a game he also returned to play in
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“I told y’all man: I’m an offensive guy playing defense. I know it took a while to be able to see it, but that’s who I am.” -Robertson after claiming his fourth career interception, and sixth career turnover, with the interception against the Giants
Problematic matchup: Aidan O’Connell vs. Jets’ pass defense
The Jets’ secondary is the polar opposite of their offensive line; it might be the best set of defensive backs in the NFL. New York ranks second in the league in giving up only 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Sauce Gardner is the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and hasn’t slipped a bit in his second season. But he’s probably not even the top-performing cornerback on the roster this year, given that veteran D.J. Reed is rated first in the league at the position by PFF’s grades (Gardner is seventh). Finding yards against the Jets is a tall task for any rookie quarterback, let alone one like O’Connell who wasn’t asked to do much in his first appearance as the full-time starter. O’Connell was effective against the Giants with 209 yards on 16-for-25 passing, but the Raiders were playing from ahead and leaned on running back Josh Jacobs, who had 26 carries for 98 yards, as the focal point of the offense. They might need more out of O’Connell against a tougher Jets side, and the likes of Gardner, Reed and a deep group of safeties won’t make it easy.
Gamebreaker: Cornerback Amik Robertson
It would have been natural to assume that the veteran Robertson’s role would be minimized once slot cornerback Nate Hobbs returned from an ankle injury, but that’s not what has happened at all in the past two games. Robertson has hardly ever come off the field, leading all Raider cornerbacks with 53 snaps played against the Giants. He made the most of the playing time with his second interception of the year, on a deep ball he high-pointed at the goal line and returned 40 yards. The former fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech will always be somewhat limited because of his diminutive 5-foot-9 height, but he makes up for it in myriad ways, including his playmaking ability. Robertson’s versatility has also been valuable to Las Vegas coaches, who feel comfortable playing him in either inside or outside coverage spots. It’s now hard to believe that many projected Robertson not to make the roster out of training camp, but he’s long been a favorite of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The heart he’s shown on a weekly basis has won Pierce over too.
Big Number: 63.6
That’s the average number of yards on A.J. Cole’s five punts last week against the Giants, which set an NFL record. Cole’s titanic leg could play an even bigger role this week against the Jets. Projected to be the lowest-scoring game of the NFL’s Week 10 slate, field position could play a vital role. No one is better at tilting the field-position battle in their team’s favor than Cole. On the season, he’s averaging 52 yards per punt. The Jets’ Thomas Morstead, by comparison, is averaging 48.3 yards. Total yards don’t mean everything, as punting can often be situational, but Cole has excelled in more finesse kicks throughout his career too. Punters are not usually regarded as weapons, but Cole fits the description for the Raiders.
Best Bet (6-3): Josh Jacobs over 70.5 rushing yards
New interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree dialed up a season-high 26 rushes for Jacobs in his first game calling plays, and that doesn’t figure to slow down even if the game against the Jets is closer. Las Vegas wants to be a run-first team under the new coaching regime, and the preference might be even more pronounced here as it emphasizes not asking too much out of O’Connell against a difficult matchup. Hardegree also appeared to make some subtle changes in the blocking scheme to give Jacobs more freedom on which holes he chooses to attack. It all projects well for the rest of the season, including against the Jets, who haven’t been as stellar defending the run as they have been against the pass. The Jets are 22nd in the NFL in giving up 4.3 yards per carry, and Jacobs may boost that number if he looks as renewed as he did in the victory against the Giants.