The Raiders kept it close against the Colts on Sunday but never held a lead as they lost 23-20 in Indianapolis. The defeat eliminated Las Vegas from playoff contention.
Early short-yardage miscues on offense ruined quality field position for the Raiders, and big plays for the Colts offense in the first half set the table for a robust Indianapolis run game in the second half that sealed their victory. Late penalty flags by the Raiders closed the door on a potential comeback for the road team.
Here are the winners and losers for the week, after the Raiders failed to capitalize on momentum from their Christmas Day win against the Chiefs.
Winner: WR Davante Adams
Wide receiver Davante Adams was targeted an incredible 21 times as the Raiders turned to a pass-happy game plan in the first half and then played from behind all afternoon.
Adams delivered with 13 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns, including an impressive late grab late to bring the Raiders within 3 points of the Colts. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Indianapolis, ending the game.
Adams surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season, his fourth consecutive campaign topping that mark.
THAT'S TWO ON THE DAY FOR TAE!!!#LVvsIND | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/2ROaQFR1lb
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2023
Winner: RB Zamir White
The Raiders were once again without starting running back Josh Jacobs, so RB Zamir White got another shot at carrying the load. Despite the Raiders’ pass-first approach, he responded with quality moments throughout the game.
White ended up with 71 yards on the ground (on 20 carries) and 35 yards through the air, with five catches on six targets.
Winner: QB Aidan O’Connell
After quarterback Aidan O’Connell failed to complete a pass after the first quarter against the Chiefs on Christmas, the Raiders’ game plan put this contest in the hands of their rookie QB.
His effort wasn’t enough, though his game stats can’t be ignored, especially after last week. O’Connell finished with 299 yards, completing 30 of 47 attempts. He also had two touchdowns, both to Adams.
Winner: P A.J. Cole
In the first half, Raiders punter A.J. Cole pinned the Colts deep with multiple quality boots. At one point, the Colts started four possessions in a row from inside their 10-yard line.
A roughing the kicker call on a Cole punt also set up the Raiders’ first touchdown of the day. It was part of a 15-play drive to open the second half for Las Vegas, ending in an Adams touchdown and a 14-10 Raiders disadvantage.
Loser: OC Bo Hardegree
Hardegree’s pass-heavy game plan could have worked, save for multiple questionable calls on short-yardage plays.
On a first-quarter drive that began with great field position, the Raiders trailed just 7-3. Hardegree opted for a trick play on 3rd-and-inches, which failed. As the Raiders lined up to go for it on fourth down, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor committed a false start and the Raiders punted away a golden opportunity.
Later in the first half, Hardegree called a play-action pass on 3rd-and-1, which failed, resulting in a punt from Colts’ territory and another missed opportunity. Before the roughing call on Cole, a shotgun run on 3rd-and-1 also fell short.
In general, it appeared that a more run-heavy game plan would have gotten the job done for the Raiders, especially considering the Las Vegas offense won time of possession and slightly outgained the Colts offense. Still, Hardegree’s plan didn’t quite work and the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention.
Loser: CB Jack Jones
After two incredible weeks in a row, cornerback Jack Jones had some rough moments in Indianapolis. In particular, two penalties on a late Colts drive handed the home team a 23-13 advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Jones was called for pass interference on a free play for the Colts, as the Raiders were offsides pre-snap. After Las Vegas forced a 50-yard field goal attempt, the Colts missed the try, giving the Raiders new life and a one-score deficit. Jones lined up offsides, though the call was awfully close. The Colts made their second go at a field goal, providing a two-score cushion for Indianapolis.
Jones wasn’t the only one to draw flags for Vegas. The Raiders had seven penalties for 54 yards, including multiple false starts on the offense.
Loser: Big-play defense
While the Raiders tried for home-run pass plays for much of the game and fell short, the Colts had two pass completions of more than 50 yards in the first half, including a 58-yard touchdown catch by WR Alec Pierce. Ironically, it was on a 3rd-and-1 play-action pass.
Needed a yard.
Got a whole lot more than that.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/3dcNelPbK9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 31, 2023
The play gave the Colts a 14-3 lead and allowed them to lean on running back Johnathan Taylor for the rest of the afternoon.
Loser: HC Antonio Pierce
The Raiders fell to 4-4 under interim coach Antonio Pierce after this defeat. While Las Vegas’ big wins against division foes over the last two weeks gave him the inside track on a permanent role, he’s still coaching for his job. His squad missed a golden opportunity to stay in the playoff race, and that’s got to count against Pierce to some degree.
This was a disappointing end to the Raiders playoff hopes. They were outplayed and outcoached by an average Colts team. After the emotional high from their Christmas Day win and a short week of practice before an East Coast road game, Las Vegas appeared to run out of steam.
Still, many pieces needed for a win were present — winning time of possession, nearly 300 pass yards, a solid run game, and a solid defense — but they couldn’t fit the pieces together for a win. They’ll try to close the season strong at home next week against the Broncos.
