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 touchdown was a celebration for the entire offense, including guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who got to spike the ball after Abdullah let him do the honors.
🎱 marches it in!#JAXvsLV | 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/Z3zpO82bTs
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 23, 2024
Winner: TE Brock Bowers
It was another blockbuster day for rookie sensation Brock Bowers. He hauled in 11 of his 13 targets for 99 yards and crossed 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He reached 1,000 yards on his first catch of the game, a 32-yard gain. He also surpassed 100 receptions.
Bowers is nearing the all-time receiving yards record for rookie tight ends, held by the legendary Mike Ditka. He’s also the first tight end in NFL history to have 100-plus catches and more than 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie campaign. Look for him to reach more milestones over the last two weeks of the season.
Winner: S Isaiah Pola-Mao
Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao was on fire in the first half, registering seven tackles before the break. He also forced two fumbles on consecutive drives; the Raiders recovered each one. The second forced fumble stopped a promising Jaguars drive as the quarter wound down, preserving the Raiders’ 13-7 lead at halftime.
2 for 20!!!#JAXvsLV | 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/3GIirtQcQY
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 22, 2024
Winner: DE K’Lavon Chaisson
A former first-round pick of the Jaguars, defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson had plenty of motivation on Sunday. He nearly had an interception early in the game and had a QB sack later in the afternoon. He probably wanted to make more plays, but he reminded the Jaguars that they may have made a mistake letting him walk out the door. He added some QB pressures, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit for good measure.
Loser: LB Amari Gainer
The Raiders fell behind 7-0 after a quality Jaguars punt return, followed by a Las Vegas penalty, gave Jacksonville great field position. Linebacker Amari Gainer was called for a late hit and the Jaguars started their touchdown drive at the Raiders 29-yard line.
Loser: CB Jack Jones
After cornerback Jack Jones forgot to cover Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and allowed a 62-yard touchdown, the Raiders could have folded. They had Jones’ back and fought for the win, but the game was looking like another potential loss after Jones’ busted coverage gave the Jaguars a 14-13 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
BRIAN THOMAS JR.!
📺: #JAXvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Plt8MEmW32— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Loser: G Dylan Parham
Guard Dylan Parham had a penalty and allowed a QB sack on the Raiders’ first drive of the game, doing his part to ruin a nice start on offense for Las Vegas, highlighted by Bowers’ 32-yard grab. The entire offensive line has to reduce their penalties, however. There were again too many infractions from that group, pre-snap and after the snap, too.
This win hurt the Raiders standing in the NFL Draft, but the players surely don’t care. There are few things in this world more fun than winning a football game, and these players finally earned that feeling once again.
Plus, the Raiders have two more opportunities to lose — oops, I mean win — this season, starting next week against the Saints in New Orleans.
