LAS VEGAS — On Sunday, Raiders owner Mark Davis celebrated with players in the locker room, filled with music and enervated energy. Despite the potential implications for their draft position, the mood was joyous as Las Vegas secured its first victory in nearly three months, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14.
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell made his return from injury, passing for 257 yards and leading the team out of a consequential 10-game losing streak. “Just to come in here and win,” said Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. “The vibes are way better.” The win marks their first since September 29 when they edged out the Cleveland Browns 20-16. However, this victory pushed the Raiders’ record to 3-12, slightly above the last-place New York Giants at 2-13. According to draft projections, the team is now positioned sixth in line for the next draft’s top pick, a situation coach Antonio Pierce is not keen to discuss. “Talk to (general manager) Tom Telesco,” he remarked, dismissing the talk about draft ramifications.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville has struggled significantly, dropping seven of its last eight, and holds a similar 3-12 record. The Jaguars now sit third in the draft order. O’Connell’s performance was especially noteworthy given he sat out a loss to Atlanta just days prior due to a left knee injury. “It was just fun to see the smiles again,” O’Connell conveyed. “It’s a big part of why you play the game. To not have it for 10 weeks in a row is tough.”
Brock Bowers was a standout for the Raiders, catching 11 passes for 99 yards, bringing him tantalizingly close to breaking Mike Ditka’s long-standing rookie record for tight ends. Ditka’s record of 1,076 yards set in 1961 remains intact, but Bowers has made history as the third rookie tight end to surpass 1,000 yards, joining Ditka and Kyle Pitts from Atlanta, who accomplished this in 2021.
On the Jaguars’ side, Brian Thomas Jr. also delivered a remarkable performance with nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, breaking a rookie franchise record held since 2012 by Justin Blackmon. Thomas’s season tallies of 73 receptions and 1,087 receiving yards set new benchmarks for the team. While Randy Jones provided solid coverage by passing for 247 yards and a touchdown, the Jaguars were plagued by turnovers, losing two fumbles and accumulating eight penalties for 60 yards.
“It’s the most frustrating thing that I’ve ever seen or been a part of,” expressed Jaguars coach Doug Pederson regarding the consistent errors. He continued, “Gosh, at some point, you would think that enough would be enough. We’d learn from it. Move on. But it seems to be plaguing us each week.”
In a solid defensive effort, Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao made a significant impact, forcing both fumbles, showcasing his prowess on the field. “That’s pretty cool, but I’m glad we got the dub,” said Pola-Mao after the game, emphasizing the win’s importance over individual accolades.
This game represented a shift for the Raiders, who for the first time this season did not trail by double digits, breaking a 14-game streak that was only surpassed by the Indianapolis Colts’ 16-game deficit streak in 1986. Additionally, ending the ten-game losing streak marks the fifth-worst in the franchise’s history and the longest since their 16-game run of defeats in 2013-14.
Towards the end of the game, Las Vegas looked to extend its narrow lead, but kicker Daniel Carlson missed a crucial 46-yard field goal attempt. In retaliation, Jacksonville responded with a quick strike as Jones linked up with a wide-open Thomas for a 62-yard touchdown, bringing the Jaguars ahead 14-13 late in the third quarter.
However, the Raiders regrouped and orchestrated a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive, capped off by Ameer Abdullah’s 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. An errant pass on the 2-point conversion left the Raiders with a narrow 19-14 advantage.
Injury reports post-game showed several players sidelined; the Jaguars saw injuries to LT Walker Little (ankle), RT Anton Harrison (shoulder), S Darnell Savage (concussion), and LB Ventrell Miller (ankle). The Raiders missed CBs Nate Hobbs (illness) and Sam Webb (back/illness), alongside G Jordan Meredith (ankle).
Looking ahead, the Jaguars will host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday, while the Raiders are set to visit the New Orleans Saints on the same day.