The Raiders squandered several opportunities as they fall 26-14 to the Detroit Lions
Las Vegas Raiders #10 Jimmy Garoppolo (QB) looking down field for an open receiver. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.
DETROIT - In a prime-time Monday night showdown, the Las Vegas Raiders (3-5) offense was non-existent, resulting in a disappointing 26-14 loss to the Detroit Lions (6-2).
The Raiders offense struggled throughout the entire game, managing to amass a mere 157 total yards from the line of scrimmage. Davante Adams, their star wide receiver, was seen throwing his helmet to the ground and visibly frustrated after Jimmy Garppolo missed him being wide open in the fourth quarter.
Adams, a three-time First-Team All-Pro, had a single reception for just 11 yards during the entire contest. When questioned about his emotions after the game, he expressed," I honestly don't know what to say at this moment, I wish I had the words to say something that won't get blown up in the media and taken out of context".
Garoppolo attempted 21 passes, but only managed to complete 10 of them, resulting in a total of 126 yards gained. When asked to elaborate on his performance, the quarterback stated, "You have good days and bad days; this was a bad day".The Raiders' offense managed to convert just one third-down attempt during the game.
During the opening quarter, the Lions, led by quarterback Jared Goff, initiated the game with a well-balanced offensive strategy with a mixture of both running and passing plays that allowed them to march down the field and secure a 3-0 lead.
On the following drive, Garoppolo and the Raiders offense were held to a three-and-out and forced to punt the ball back to the Lions.
On Detroit's next possession, wide receiver Josh Reynolds fumbled the football, after a short 13-yard pass completion from Jared Goff. The football was recovered by linebacker Robert Spillane at the Lions' 26-yard line.
The Raiders offense had good field position to either seize the lead or tie the game with 5:00 left in the first quarter. Garoppolo threw his eighth interception of the season, placing him in a tie for the league lead in interceptions despite having missed two games due to injuries.
The Raiders quarterback briefly spoke of this in the post-game press conference. " I just have to be smart with the football".
Detroit couldn't capitalize on the interception and punted the ball back to the Raiders. On the next drive, Garappolo and the Raiders were stopped at midfield on a fourth-and-two, resulting in a turnover on downs and surrendering possession back to the Lions as we approached the end of the first quarter.
Detroit Lions #16 Jared Goff (QB) looking over the Las Vegas Raiders defense. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.
Goff closed out the quarter, moving the Lions up the field and connecting on three passes, two completions to Amon-Ra St. Brown for 20 yards and another to Kalif Raymond for 14 yards.
The Lions resumed their momentum as the second quarter began, connecting on another pass to Raymond for an additional 10 yards.
The Raiders on defense slowed down the Lions on offense, resulting in another field goal, and the Lions now led 6-0 in the second quarter.
After three quick plays, the Raiders offense again gave the ball back to Detroit. With all the momentum on their side, the Lions struck quickly. Goff connected with St. Brown for a 44-yard completion deep down the left side of the field.
Goff would link up again with St. Brown on the right side of the field for a 26-yard completion to the 16-yard line of the Raiders. The Lions would sputter again on offense, with the Raiders defense holding them to a 33-yard field goal. The Lions now lead 9-0 with 8:08 left in the second quarter.
Las Vegas Raiders #8 Josh Jacobs (RB) 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.
Las Vegas would respond with their best offensive series of the contest and were able to get Josh Jacobs, their star running back, multiple touches, and he helped them march into the endzone for the first touchdown of the evening. The Raiders now trailed 9-7 nearing the end of the first half.
The Lions countered with a touchdown of their own behind another balanced attack, combined with a few touches from rookie Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who had a breakout performance rushing for 152 yards on 26 carries, and catches from Rookie tight end Sam Laporta. Goff and Sam Laporta connected for an 18-yard touchdown reception right before the end of the second half.
The score was now Detroit Lions 16 to 7 for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders held possession of the ball at the beginning of the third quarter, and three-and-out were forced to punt the ball back to the Lions.
Marcus Peters made an enormous play for Las Vegas' defense on the ensuing drive. Following a 24-yard run from Jahmyr Gibbs, Marcus Peters intercepted Goff and returned the ball 74 yards to the endzone for the pick-six. The Raiders now trailed 14- 16.
The Lions responded with an impressive drive from their 25-yard line, advancing the ball down the field with a couple of good runs from running back Craig Reynolds and a short pass from Goff to St. Brown. They found themselves in Las Vegas territory and looked poised to extend their lead.
Following a 17-yard rush from Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions had the ball on Las Vegas's 4-yard line. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby for the Raiders forced and recovered a Craig Reynolds fumble to keep the Lions out of the endzone.
The Raiders' offense took possession with the opportunity to seize the lead and dictate the course of the game. However, their inability to connect on consecutive plays for positive yardage hindered their efforts and compelled them to punt the ball.
Detroit Lions #26 Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) 27-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportsv1.
The Lions received possession at midfield and quickly scored off of a 27-yard rush from Jahmyr Gibbs, following an 18-yard defensive pass interference penalty on defensive back Amik Robertson. Detroit extended their lead to 23-14 late in the third quarter.
The Raiders aimed to counter and gain momentum following a 19-yard Jimmy Garoppolo pass to Michael Mayer deep on the left side, which advanced them to midfield. A sack by Alim McNeill from the Lions put a damper on the Raiders’ offense and forced them to punt the ball away.
Las Vegas on defense started to tire from prolonged time on the field, and the Lions continued to rely on Jahmyr Gibbs, feeding him the ball. The tailback recorded four carries for 31 yards on the drive and put the Lions in prime position to add more points to the scoreboard.
The Raiders’ defense would hold and force the Lions to kick a 52-yard field goal. The score was now 26-14 in favor of the Detroit Lions.
On the following possession, kick returner DeAndre Carter muffed the return, and the Raiders had to start their drive on their own two-yard line. The Raiders missed on several pivotal scoring opportunities throughout the fourth quarter.
Garoppolo failed to connect on a deep pass attempt to a wide-open Davante Adams to start the drive. Afterward, the possession was ultimately halted by the Lions' defense, which recorded three of their six total sacks for the night, forcing a turnover on downs.
Subsequently, on the next drive, the Lions failed on an opportunity to put the game away. They missed a 26-yard field goal and gave the ball back to the Raiders, who were down 12 points with 5:00 minutes to go.
On the ensuing drive, the Raiders squandered yet another chance to score. Garoppolo was unable to connect on another deep pass attempt a wide-open Davante Adams. The possession concluded with a turnover on downs, and the Detroit Lions effectively drained the remaining time on the clock.
When asked about the missed opportunities after the game, the Raiders head coach, Josh McDaniels, was quoted, " The defense gave us great opportunities. We won the turnover margin tonight, but we ended up not being able to win the game. Which is kind of a rarity, but that speaks to the issue that we had in the passing game". The Raiders head coach felt that it was a game of missed opportunities due to their inability to make plays in the passing game.