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Raiders vs Patriots 2022 Week 15: Studs and Duds

By Khaled Abdallah

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) celebrates after the game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) celebrates after the game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a blocked punt during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a blocked punt during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) /

Raiders vs Patriots 2022 Week 15: Studs and Duds

Raiders Special Teams – Studs

The Raiders special teams units have been a strength of this team thanks primarily to the two specialists and they did their part once again on Sunday. Daniel Carlson was perfect from the field with 3 extra points and a 49-yard field goal including the game-tying extra point that always felt more dramatic than it should have been.

AJ Cole did his thing with 7 punts that averaged nearly 47 yards including one in the third quarter that pinned the Patriots on their own 2-yard line. He has been a consistent weapon for the Raiders and he nearly was a hero against the Rams with an incredible punt that should have helped them win the game.

The best special teams play of the day came courtesy of reserve lineman Malcolm Koonce who rushed in untouched to block a punt with just 30 seconds left in the first half. Koonce took advantage of a Patriots miscue to smother the punt and set up the Raiders in the red zone with a chance to add to their lead.

That was the first Raiders punt block since 2014 and the first notable play that Koonce has made all season. It was a big play for the Raiders as it gave them a two-score lead to take into the second half and proved vital in a close victory.

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