Weird, pointless lateral results in inconceivable win for Raiders over Pats – Hartford Courant

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Defensive finish Chandler Jones grabbed a weird, pointless lateral by New England’s Jakobi Meyers out of the air on the ultimate play and returned it 48 yards for a landing, giving the Las Vegas Raiders a 30-24 victory over the Patriots on Sunday.

With the sport tied at 24-all, the Patriots determined to run a collection of pitches in a last-ditch try to keep away from extra time. Rhamondre Stevenson pitched the ball to Meyers, who heaved it throughout the sector and into the arms of Jones, who had nothing however open area in entrance of him.

The wild end bailed out the Raiders (6-8), who led 17-3 at halftime earlier than permitting the Patriots (7-7) to attain 21 straight factors. Las Vegas scored two touchdowns within the closing 32 seconds and severely broken New England’s playoff hopes.

Stevenson, who went to highschool in Las Vegas, had 19 carries for 172 yards, together with a 34-yard landing with 3:43 left that appeared to place the sport away.

However the Raiders answered within the closing minute. Derek Carr discovered Keenan Cole within the left nook of the tip zone for a 30-yard TD. Cole’s left foot got here down near the boundary, however the play was upheld on overview.

Then got here the loopy closing play that can certainly result in questions in regards to the technique of Patriots coach Invoice Belichick, who misplaced to his longtime assistant, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels.

New England fell one recreation out of the ultimate AFC playoff spot and its final three video games are all towards postseason contenders.

Carr accomplished 20 of 38 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries because the Raiders ended a six-game shedding streak to the Patriots relationship to 2002. .

The Raiders appeared to take management once they scored two touchdowns within the closing 5:18 of the primary half.

Darren Waller, who was activated Saturday off injured reserve, caught a 25-yard TD go. It was Waller’s first recreation since injuring a hamstring on Oct. 10 at Kansas Metropolis.

Las Vegas added to the lead when Malcolm Koonce blocked a punt with 23 seconds left, and Carr accomplished a 5-yard scoring go to Mack Hollins with 4 seconds remaining.

Any ideas of the Raiders cruising to victory ended shortly within the third quarter. New England cornerback Kyle Dugger jumped an out path to Davante Adams and returned the interception 13 yards for a landing.

Nick Folks’s 47-yard area objective with 1:21 left within the third quarter introduced the Patriots inside 17-13, and he made a 54-yarder early within the fourth to make it a one-point recreation.

NOTES

The Raiders’ streak of giving up touchdowns on 32 consecutive goal-to-go conditions within the common season ended when New England needed to accept a area objective with 11:51 left within the second quarter. The Patriots had a primary down on the Las Vegas 2. New England entered the sport with the NFL’s lowest red-zone landing share at 38.9%. … Koonce’s blocked punt within the second quarter was the Raiders’ first since Nov. 2, 2014 when Denico Autry blocked one towards the Seattle Seahawks that Brice Butler recovered for a landing. … New England’s Josh Uche has 11 sacks in his previous seven video games.

INJURIES

Patriots: C David Andrews was helped off the sector halfway via the fourth quarter.

Raiders: G Dylan Parham (knee) and LB Darien Butler (rib) have been injured.

UP NEXT

Patriots: Host AFC North-leading Cincinnati on Saturday.

Raiders: At Pittsburgh on Saturday night time to mark the fiftieth anniversary (plus at some point) of the Immaculate Reception recreation.