The Raiders’ defense showed up big on Monday Night Football to help beat the Packers 17-13

Las Vegas Raiders #5 Divine Deablo (LB) tackling Green Bay Packers #11 Jayden Reed (WR). Photo by Arnie Bazemore/TGSportstv1.

LAS VEGAS, NV - In a highly anticipated Monday night showdown, the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium. Football enthusiasts nationwide had eagerly awaited this primetime clash, and it lived up to the expectations.

The Raiders (2-3) secured a crucial victory, defeating the Packers (2-3) with a final score of 17-13, snapping their three-game losing streak.

What was expected to be a marquee matchup between star wide receiver Davante Adams and his former teammate and standout cornerback Jaire Alexander turned out to be anything but. Adams managed only four receptions for 45 yards against his former Packers squad.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball 31 times, completing 22 passes with one interception. However, it was Maxx Crosby and the Raiders' defense that stole the show on Monday Night Football.

Crosby's reputation as a disruptive force and a game-changer preceded him,  leading the Raiders' defense with four tackles for loss, one sack, and multiple pressures. Raiders' head coach Josh McDaniels praised the exceptional performance of his star defensive end, saying, “Maxx does it every day with his effort, his work, how much he cares about every detail relative to the football team, his teammates, his body, practice and gives it everything he got, every single time he’s out there and never comes off the field.”

Green Bay Packers #10 Jordan Love (QB) is rolling out the pocket to his right. Photo by Arnie Bazemore/TGSportsv1.

Crosby attributed his dominance to a personal commitment to excel on every play and prove his value every time he stepped onto the field.

The highly-paid four-year, $94 million man lived up to his price tag early in the game, setting the tone by disrupting the Packers' first drive and blowing up a run play to A.J. Dillon.

After a few completions by Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders' opening drive was thwarted by a sack, leading to a punt. The ball was then handed back to Jordan Love and the Packers, who saw Love break free for a 26-yard scramble, advancing into Raiders territory.

Subsequently, Love connected on a short pass to Josiah Deguara for 19 yards. The Raiders managed to hold the Packers to a fourth down, allowing only a 37-yard field goal from Anders Carlson. This gave the Packers an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Raiders would go on to punt on their next possession, ending the first quarter trailing the Green Bay Packers 3-0.

The Packers began the second quarter with possession but were quickly halted by Max Crosby's tackle for loss on a run by Patrick Taylor, forcing a three-and-out and a Packers punt.

Starting from their own 38-yard line, Josh Jacobs led the Raiders down the field with a 9-yard run. Garoppolo then connected on an 11-yard pass to Ameer Abdullah and a 10-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers, advancing the black and silver into the Packers' territory.

Las Vegas Raiders #16 Jakobi Myers (WR) 9 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Photo by Arnie Bazemore/TGSportstv1.

The Raiders capped off an impressive 8-minute and 28-second drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to Meyers, giving the Raiders a 7-3 lead with just four minutes left before halftime.

The following Packers' drive was abruptly cut short by defensive captain Linebacker Robert Spillane, who recorded one of his two interceptions of the night, giving the Raiders the ball back on Green Bay's 7-yard line.

Facing a stout Packers defense, the Raiders settled for a 26-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson, the brother of Green Bay's kicker, Anders Carlson. This extended the Raiders' lead to 10-3 with 2:32 remaining in the second quarter.

After only three plays, the Packers were forced to punt, giving the Raiders a chance to add more points before halftime. Garoppolo completed back-to-back passes to Jakobi Meyers, the first for 18 yards and the second for 16 yards. The Raiders found themselves on Green Bay's 47-yard line with 35 seconds left in the half.

However, the Packers' special teams unit blocked Daniel Carlson's 53-yard field goal attempt, preserving the score at Las Vegas Raiders 10, Green Bay Packers 3 as both teams headed into the locker rooms.

In the second half, the Las Vegas Raiders began with possession but promptly surrendered the ball to the Green Bay Packers. Safety Rudy Ford intercepted Garoppolo's pass intended for Jakobi Meyers and returned it to the Raiders' 37-yard line.

Capitalizing on excellent field position, the Packers ignited their star running back, AJ Dillon, who rushed for 34 yards on six carries during the drive. This ground assault propelled the Packers into the end zone, knotting the game at 10-10 early in the third quarter.

Subsequent attempts by Garoppolo to move the Raiders down the field fell short, leading to a punt that returned possession to the Packers. Jordan Love, executing a roll-out play reminiscent of his predecessor Aaron Rodgers, connected with Christian Watson for a 77-yard gain and coupled with a horse-collar tackle by Marcus Peters.

However, following this significant play, the Raiders' defense held, compelling the Packers to settle for a 22-yard field goal. Anders Carlson's successful kick gave Green Bay a 13-10 lead with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter.

Las Vegas Raiders #8 Josh Jacobs (RB) 2 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Photo by Arnie Bazemore/TGSportstv1.

The Raiders responded resolutely, embarking on a touchdown drive of their own. Josh Jacobs spearheaded the charge with runs of 24 and 6 yards on consecutive attempts. Jimmy Garoppolo completed an 8-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers, advancing the Raiders into Green Bay's territory.

Davante Adams briefly reemerged, making back-to-back receptions, the first for 21 yards and the second for 5 yards, positioning the Raiders in the red zone. Another 7-yard reception by Davante Adams concluded the third quarter.

As the fourth and final quarter began, Josh Jacobs punched it up the middle for a 2-yard score. The Raiders' offense, which had struggled at times during the season, responded emphatically, taking a 17-13 lead.

The Raiders' defensive standout, Maxx Crosby, notched his fifth interception of the season, while Robert Spillane secured his second interception of the night, intercepting Jordan Love. The Raiders regained possession with 9:11 remaining in the final quarter.

Both teams then exchanged punts, giving the ball back to the Raiders on their own 35-yard line, holding a 4-point lead with an opportunity to control their fate with 5 minutes left. Jimmy Garoppolo and the Raiders methodically moved the ball down the field in seven plays for 33 yards, placing them in a 4th-and-1 situation with the two-minute warning.

Facing a crucial decision, Raiders' head coach Josh McDaniels opted to trust his defense, which had been stellar all night and sent Daniel Carlson to attempt a 52-yard field goal. Unfortunately, the kick missed, hitting the goalpost upright.

With head coach Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers taking over on their own 42-yard line, 1:55 left on the clock, and a chance to win the game with a touchdown, Jordan Love initiated a two-minute offense. He threaded the needle on multiple attempts, marching the Packers into Las Vegas territory.

With the ball on the Las Vegas Raiders' 35-yard line and 44 seconds remaining, the stage was set for a potential game-winning drive by Jordan Love, in a moment reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers. However, the Raiders' defense rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Amik Robertson, who had initially been beaten on Christian Watson's go-route, recovered to make a crucial interception, sealing the victory for the Raiders.

Ameek Robertson, a versatile player for the Raiders, has earned the praise of his coach, Josh McDaniels, for his commitment to contributing in various roles, whether it be on special teams, in the slot, or on the outside. Following the game, Robertson discussed his approach to preparation, “Just being ready whenever my name is called. I believe in my abilities and know I can make plays on the outside or inside. I just look for the opportunity to make plays and stay on the field each and every weekend and take advantage of my opportunities.”