After the loss, Jets head coach Robert Saleh says what most New York fans are likely thinking, noting that the way in which the team did not score was frustrating. He mentions Zach Wilson's toe being just out of bounds on a run, putting him at the three-yard line rather than in the end zone. That play was followed by a Breece Hall TD called back due to an offensive penalty. The Jets did not make it in the end zone all night, a trend for the team, whose offense has not scored on 35-straight drives.
Raiders vs. Jets score, takeaways: Las Vegas scores game's lone touchdown, holds off New York's late bid
The Jets mistakes caught up to them and they were unable to keep the lead
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New York Jets 16-12 on "Sunday Night Football: at Allegiant Stadium. The Jets now sit at 4-5, while the Raiders are 5-5.
If you like field goals, then this was the game for you. We did not see a touchdown until the fourth quarter, when Raiders' Michael Mayer got his first receiving touchdown of his career.
Before then, it was 9-9, with each side swapping field goals throughout three quarters. The Jets kicked things off with a 47-yarder and the Raiders answered with one of their own. The Jets kicked two more field goals, going up 9-3 and the Raiders were able to cut the lead by three with a field goal of their own right before halftime.
New York's field goals were from 47 yards, 53 yards, 30 yards and 45 yards. Las Vegas' field goals were from 41 yards, 54 yards and 40 yards.
The Jets defense had two major moments, intercepting Aidan O'Connell, a pick that lead to a field goal and fumble recovery, that the offense was unable to capitalize on.
The game came down to the final seconds, with a bomb to the end zone from Wilson into a crowd of Jets and Raiders players. No one was able to come up with the ball and the game ended on an incomplete pass.
Why the Raiders won
The Raiders had fewer total yards, fewer yards per play, fewer passing yards, their quarterback was sacked more, for a loss of more yards and they had more turnovers, so it seems by looking at the stats they may have lost this game. Las Vegas made their fare share of mistakes, but they were able to recover from them better than New York.
The touchdown, that ended up being the deciding factor of the game, was set up by great field position on a punt. Las Vegas started the drive at their own 47 yard line and the short field proved to be crucial.
Why the Jets lost
Just when the Jets seem to be getting something going on offense, they do something to push themselves backward. The Jets have gone 35 drives on offense without getting into the end zone and just when they were knocking on the door, Wilson threw an interception in the red zone.
New York's defense came up with an interception and a fumble recovery, but the Jets offense only turned the two takeaways into three points.
The end of the game saw some mismanagement of the clock, with head coach Robert Saleh claiming that he called the final timeout with more than 12 seconds left on the clock. He did not win the argument and crucial time was wasted for the Jets offense.
Turning point
For most of the game, it felt like whichever team could get in the end zone would come out with the win. The Raiders got in the end zone once, the game's only trip to the end zone.
The Mayer TD gave the Raiders their first lead of the game, one they would keep for the rest of the game.
Play of the game
Davante Adams not only made an incredible one-handed catch, he did it with a hand on him. Take a look at the play:
What's next
The Jets have an AFC East matchup next week, when they head to Buffalo to face the Bills. The Bills will face the Broncos on "Monday Night Football" and while they are the favored team, if they do lose it will make the New York-Buffalo game even more interesting. The AFC East, besides the Patriots, is a close race, as the Dolphins lead with a 6-3 record.
The Raiders will also face an AFC East team next week, the Dolphins, who are coming off their bye week. Before the bye, Miami lost 21-14 to the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The 'Fins have lost two of their last three games.
Former teammates after the game:
Final team stats - Raiders:
First downs: 15
Third down attempts: 5-for-15
Fourth down attempts: 2-for-2
Total yards: 274
Yards per play: 4.4
Passing yards: 126
Rushing yards: 148
Red zone trips: 1-for-1
Penalties: 3-25
Turnovers: 2
Final team stats - Jets:
First downs: 14
Third down attempts: 7-for-16
Total yards: 365
Yards per play: 5.8
Passing yards: 257
Rushing yards: 107
Red zone trips: 0-for-1
Penalties: 8-83
Turnovers: 1
Final stats - Raiders players:
Aidan O'Connell: 16-for-27, 153 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 1 fumble
Josh Jacobs: 27 carries, 116 yards
Davante Adams: 6 receptions, 86 yards
Michael Mayer: 3 receptions, 19 yards, 1 touchdown
Final stats - Jets players:
Zach Wilson: 23-of-39, 263 passing yards, 1 interception, 4 carries, 54 rushing yards
Breece Hall: 13 carries, 28 yards
Dalvin Cook: 4 carries, 26 yards
Garrett Wilson: 9 receptions, 93 yards
Greg Zuerlein: 4/4 field goals, long of 53
Well that came a lot closer than it looked like it would.
Alas, the Raiders improve to 5-5 overall, and 2-0 under Antonio Pierce. They travel to Miami to play the Dolphins next week.
The Jets are now 4-5 after back-to-back losses. They head to Buffalo to take on the Bills next week.
Also, that was a heck of a throw by Wilson.
Why in the world did the Jets wait so long to use their timeout????
Oh boy. Raiders try to throw for the win but don't get it, and now Wilson has one more chance. Let's see what he's got.
The Zach Wilson experience continues, folks. Raiders still have to pick up a first down to ice the clock but that's pretty close to curtains.
Wow, Garrett Wilson caught that like three times. Got absolutely clobbered. He's up to 9-93 tonight.
That... was a really good throw from Wilson to Wilson. Double coverage and hit a very small window. Garrett just couldn't come down with it.
Wow. What a turn of events here. The Jets force a pair of fumbles in a row and come away with a turnover on the second one.
Fun play call! Raiders lined up like they were going to tush push, but instead it's a hand-off to the upback on a sweep for a big gain.
Jacobs up to 98 yards on 21 carries. 40 of them obviously came on the big run on the previous drive.
Exhibit A here re: missed TDs.
The Jets' fourth field goal of the night makes it a four-point game. They have blown quite a few opportunities for touchdowns and find themselves trailing with just under 12 minutes left.
First time tonight that Breece Hall has found himself in any space. Turns into a huge gain. Jets on the verge of scoring range very quickly.
Mayer just jumped over the top of Jordan Whitehead. The rookie TE is 6-4, 265. Whitehead is 5-10, 198.
WHAT A CATCH BY MICHAEL MAYER!
Wow, best run of the night for Jacobs almost turned into a backbreaking turnover but the fumble rolled out of bounds.
Now the Raiders defensive line is getting in on the pressure action. Wilson did not spot the pressure coming from behind and it nearly ended in disaster before Mekhi Becton jumped on the fumble.
And now we are tied. I hope you like field goals.
And then the Raiders go with back-to-back screens to *nearly* pick up a first down.
New York's pass rush is just relentless. O'Connell is under siege, even when the Raiders seem like they have something going.
Big return from DeAndre Carter has the Raiders in position to tie or take the lead. Jets have to be kicking themselves for not building a bigger cushion when they were actually playing well earlier in the game.