Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce stays undefeated in his new function as his squad took down the New York Jets, 16-12, on Sunday night time.
Pierce should love how this recreation turned out as a result of it concerned two key facets he needed from his new-look staff: operating the ball and enjoying tighter protection.
The Raiders have been operating the ball very effectively behind Professional Bowler Josh Jacobs, who completed the sport with 116 yards on 27 carries, however a key play for New York got here on a kind of runs and briefly shifted the momentum within the Jets’ favor.
Las Vegas was holding a four-point lead within the fourth quarter when the Jets’ protection knocked the ball out of Jacobs’ fingers, permitting security Ashtyn Davis to recuperate the ball on their very own 29-yard line.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell #4 passes in the course of the 2nd quarter towards the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures)
Zach Wilson and the Jets’ offense, which had simply 4 area targets at this level within the recreation, had an opportunity to get into the top zone for the primary time of the night time on the following drive. Penalties took a couple of would-be touchdowns again for Gang Inexperienced, so head coach Robert Saleh desperately wanted Wilson to orchestrate one thing right here.
Regardless of placing collectively a pleasant drive that moved the Jets effectively into Raiders territory, Wilson made a giant mistake.
Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane was watching Wilson’s eyes on second-and-8 when he tried to get a go to Allen Lazard. As an alternative, Spillane jumped the route and took it again 25 yards with one minute and 22 seconds left within the recreation.
The Jets’ protection obtained one other cease, giving Wilson one other probability, and with 5 seconds left within the recreation, he was within the place to toss up a Hail Mary. It seemed like an excellent one after avoiding Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, however neither Garrett Wilson or Tyler Conklin, who each obtained a hand on the soccer, might haul it in because the Raiders sealed their destiny.
JETS’ ROBERT SALEH STAMPS OUT ‘CONSPIRACY THEORY’ ABOUT ZACH WILSON AFTER LOSS
Whereas Sunday night time marked one other win for Pierce, it was additionally one other begin and victory for rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who Pierce has trusted with the offense since he took over final week as a substitute of Jimmy Garoppolo. O’Connell was 16-of-27 for 153 yards with one landing go and one interception.
O’Connell’s solely landing go was truly the one landing of this recreation, in the end changing into the game-winner.
It got here within the fourth quarter when a damaged play become a incredible catch by Raiders rookie tight finish Michael Mayer, who leaped excessive and used all his 6-foot-6 body to haul in a 7-yard landing over Jets security Jordan Whitehead.
New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson #17 carries the ball after making a catch as Las Vegas CB Amik Robertson #21 defends in the course of the 1st quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Getty Pictures)
O’Connell used veteran hideout Davante Adams lots within the first half, the place he caught six balls for 86 yards to steer the Raiders. Adams did not make one other catch after that as Las Vegas centered extra on the run recreation within the second half.
Zach Wilson was 23-of-38 for 263 yards along with his huge interception. The Jets’ destiny might have been totally different if a landing from operating again Breece Corridor wasn’t nullified within the first half – tight finish C.J. Uzomah was known as for holding on Crosby and the Jets ended up kicking a area aim.
Corridor had simply 28 yards on 13 carries, because the Raiders have been capable of halt the driving pressure of the Jets’ offense in latest weeks. Corridor additionally had 47 yards on three catches.
Garrett Wilson had one other huge day, catching 9 passes on 14 targets for 93 yards as a recreation excessive. Conklin additionally completed with 70 yards on seven catches.
Radiers WR Davante Adams #17 reacts after making a catch towards the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Jets, now 4-5, will stay up for dealing with the Buffalo Payments for the second time this season subsequent Sunday, whereas the 5-5 Raiders will take a look at their win streak on the street towards the Miami Dolphins.