EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Las Vegas Raiders halted a four-game losing streak Sunday, leaning on efficient red-zone offense and special teams fireworks to edge the New York Jets 38-33 at MetLife Stadium.
Las Vegas evened its record at 4-4 after trailing 23-14 at halftime, The Sporting Tribune reported. The Raiders outscored New York 24-10 over the final two quarters to hand the Jets their sixth loss in eight games.
Cousins and tight ends power the attack
Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 19 of 26 passes for 247 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding a one-yard rushing score, according to Raiders Wire. The performance marked his fourth game with three touchdown passes this year, Silver And Black Pride reported. Cousins found receiver Jalen Nailor on a two-yard scoring toss in the fourth quarter to put Las Vegas ahead for good.
Tight end Brock Bowers proved instrumental, hauling in seven passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including scores of 12 yards and two yards. Michael Mayer added five catches for 53 yards as the Raiders repeatedly found openings in the middle of the Jets’ defense, The Sporting Tribune reported.
“He’s been a leader and a playmaker for us,” head coach Klint Kubiak said of Cousins, according to The Sporting Tribune.
The ground game underwent a noticeable shift in workload. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. led the backfield with 83 yards on 25 carries, while second-year back Ashton Jeanty saw only two carries for nine yards, though Jeanty added three catches for 64 yards, including a key 45-yard reception. Disparaging comments made by Jeanty about the Jets’ defense during the week did not factor into the touch distribution, Kubiak said according to Silver And Black Pride.
Special teams spark and defensive stand
A major turning point came in the second quarter when backup running back Dylan Laube fielded a kickoff at his own 5-yard line and raced 95 yards for a touchdown. The return was the first kickoff returned for a score across the NFL this season and Las Vegas’ first since 2011, Raiders Wire reported.
“I want to be the best in the league on special teams,” Laube said, according to The Sporting Tribune. “Whatever it is, I want to be the best at it.”
Defensively, Las Vegas surrendered 439 total yards and allowed New York to score on its first six possessions, Silver And Black Pride noted. Former Raiders quarterback Geno Smith threw for 290 yards, and running back Braelon Allen rushed for 147 yards on 21 carries. The Jets struggled in critical situations, however, converting only two of six trips inside the 20-yard line into touchdowns, the New York Post reported.
Safety Jeremy Chinn secured the win with 14 seconds left by intercepting Smith in the end zone. The turnover came immediately after Chinn had been penalized for unnecessary roughness, The Sporting Tribune reported. Following the loss, Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick characterized the defensive lapses as “Jets being Jets,” according to the New York Post.
Las Vegas faces a challenging stretch ahead with games against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, while the Jets look to regroup as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches.
