Raiders blow another lead, come back to beat the Patriots in stunning fashion
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders looked like they were about to blow another huge lead, but in the end, they mustered a little late-game magic of their own.
It looked like a story we have seen so many times from the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders, building a huge first-half lead, and then giving it away after the break. After getting off to a 17-3 halftime lead against the New England Patriots, Las Vegas seemed to be firing on all cylinders but came back to earth in the second half.
First, a pick-six by Derek Carr opened the door for New England, cutting the lead to seven right after halftime. Then, it was a string of punts that would move the game’s momentum to New England, who would score 21 unanswered to take a 24-17 lead with only two minutes left in the game.
After the two-minute warning, Carr would find Mack Hollins for the first down on fourth down, before hitting him again the following play. However, it would be a controversial touchdown throw to Keelan Cole Sr. from 30 yards out that would tie the game, but with 0:32 seconds left, New England had a chance to win it as time expired.
Raiders finally on the right side of a stunning finish
New England decided to try and win the game in regulation, as a 23-yard run by Rhamondre Stevenson would be negated after he tried to lateral it back to Jakobi Meyers. The result of the lateral would be a fumble that Chander Jones picked up and ran 48 yards for a touchdown as time expired.
With the rumble by Jones, who has really come on as of late after a disappointing start to his Raiders career, the Silver and Black sent the Patriots home on the wrong side of a 30-24 final score.
In a season that has seen the Silver and Black lose so many of these, it was nice to see former Patriots assistant coach Josh McDaniels win one, and win one against his previous employer. At 6-8, Las Vegas will still need a miracle to make the playoffs, but at least it will be an interesting Christmas Eve battle against Pittsburgh on the road.