The Las Vegas Raiders ended a 10-game losing streak with a thrilling 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Aidan O’Connell passed for 257 yards and led the team to their first win in nearly three months. The Raiders moved ahead of the league-worst New York Giants, improving their chances of securing the No. 1 overall draft pick in next year’s NFL draft.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce focused on the present, saying “Talk to (general manager) Tom Telesco” about the implications of possibly missing out on a top quarterback. The team with the worst record is currently sixth at this point, according to Tankathon. O’Connell made his first start in two weeks and didn’t play in Monday night’s 15-9 loss due to a left knee injury.
Tight end Brock Bowers caught 11 passes for 99 yards, leaving him just 10 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old NFL rookie record. Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. broke the rookie club record for receptions with 73 catches this season. However, the Jaguars also committed two fumbles and eight penalties.
The Raiders’ 14-game opening streak was second only to the Indianapolis Colts’ 16-game streak in 1986. The team’s 10-game losing streak was the fifth-longest in franchise history. Las Vegas had a chance to go up two possessions late in the third quarter, but Daniel Carlson missed a 46-yard field goal, allowing the Jaguars to capitalize on a deep touchdown pass.
The Raiders answered with an Ameer Abdullah scoring run and O’Connell’s overthrown 2-point conversion attempt, securing their 19-14 lead.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401671673