The New England Patriots lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 30-24 on Sunday in one of the more unexpected finishes to an NFL game in recent memory after Chandler Jones recovered a Jakobi Meyers lateral attempt on the game’s final play and ran it 48 yards for the winning score.
It Was a Truly Unbelievable Final Play
Any discussion of Sunday’s game between the Patriots Vs Raiders must start and conclude with Jones’ odd, impossible touchdown.
A series of circumstances had to come together for a raiders touchdown to even happen, including Rhamondre Steven avoiding a tackle and Meyers, a former quarterback whom the Patriots trust. It seemed impossible for Mac Jones to miss the tackle, occasionally chuck the ball, or execute the bafflingly awful lateral.
The full impact of what had just happened finally hit spectators like a tonne of bricks when the Raiders’ defensive end, a former Patriot, was running free into the end zone with no time left.
Due to an Arguable Call, the Game Was Tied
The raiders trailed 24-17 with just over two minutes left after losing a two-touchdown lead; Las Vegas maintained a commanding 17-3 advantage at halftime.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr moved Las Vegas’s offence to the Patriots 30- yard line before finding Keelan Cole in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. The Raiders were now one point away from tying the game thanks to the score.
In the end, the ruling on the field ( a raiders touchdown) was upheld.
In the end, it was a contentious choice that loomed largely. Patriots receiver DeVante Parker missed the game due to an injury.
The Patriots’ Defence Looked Great in the Second Half Until the Riders’ Final Drive
The raiders’ nine-play, 81-yard drive culminated with Cole’s touchdown. The offensive run from Las Vegas was by far the longest and most effective of the entire second half.
After a disappointing first half in which penalties and poor red zone defence allowed the raiders to build a 14- point lead, New England began playing at a much higher level.
The Raiders’ offence was mostly blocked by the Patriots for the majority of the second half no matter what former assistant coach Josh McDaniels tried to do. In 6 second-half possessions prior to the final drive, Las Vegas averaged 6 yards per drive and punted 5 consecutive times. That period also included Kyle Dugger’s impressive interception return for a touchdown to help jumpstart New England’s comeback yet just as it appeared New England had Carr and the Raiders offence entirely collapsed, they were unable to completely lock the door.
Las Vegas had a 4th and 10 from the raiders’ own 19-yard line right after the two-minute warning. Carr successfully completed a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins to keep the game going when it appeared that it would have ended there.
New England was unable to apply pressure and make a stop after that.
As good as the defence looked for most of the second half, the circumstances of the raiders’ final drive – however controversial Cole’s touchdown catch was – will undoubtedly be Bill Belichick will find the tape review frustrating.
The Offence and Play–calling Remain a Mess
Chandler Jones finished the game 13 of 31 for 112 passing yards passed to wide receiver Mack Hollins to keep it going.
New England was unable to apply pressure and make a stop after that.
As good as the defence looked for most of the second half, the circumstances of the Raider’s final drive – however controversial Cole’s touchdown catch was – will undoubtedly be Bill Belichick will find the tape review frustrating. The offence and play–calling remain a mess.
In total, Jones completed 13 of 31 passes for 112 passing yards. The patriots converted just two of third down opportunities. On Sunday, Jakobi Meyers led the team in receiving with just two catches for 47 yards.
The Patriots’ second drive of the game ended with a very frustrating series of events. After the Raiders’ pass interference call placed the ball at the Las Vegas two-yard line the patriots proceeded to run 4 plays( and spend two timeouts) without finding the end zone. On fourth and goal, it seemed as though New England had finally scored, but a false start by Jonnu Smith nullified it.
Rhamondre Stevenson Made a Significant Comeback
Having picked up an ankle injury in the win over the Cardinals on Monday night, Steveson was a game-time decision for The Patriots on Sunday.
The 24-year-old ended up participating and had a fantastic day, regardless of the outcome. He totalled 172 yards on 19 carries.
The high point of the day for New England fans despite the loss was his 34-yard touchdown run that gave the Patriots a late lead. The Patriots fell to eight in the AFC conference standings, one spot out of the current playoff picture. New England will face the Bengals next on Saturday, 24th December at 1 PM.