Different quarterback, same issues for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders and rookie QB Aidan O’Connell, starting in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, fell to the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday, 24-17, as turnovers and a variety of mistakes led to a 24-7 deficit that Vegas couldn’t overcome.
Ex-Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack had an incredible six QB sacks and forced one of O’Connell’s two lost fumbles. If that wasn’t bad enough for Raiders fans, O’Connell’s other costly fumble was on an arm tuck reminiscent of the infamous Tuck Rule in New England so many years ago.
Even as Las Vegas mounted a comeback, penalties and more mistakes stopped their progress. Here are the winners and losers for the week after the Raiders fell to 1-3 on the campaign.
Winner: RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders had just 82 yards on offense in the first half before finding a groove in the third quarter. Running back Josh Jacobs had a lot to do with that, displaying impressive versatility as a runner, pass catcher, and blocker.
He finished with 58 yards rushing and 81 yards receiving, and he notched a touchdown on a late 4th-and-goal play, tightening the score to 24-17. The Raiders got the ball back after the Chargers’ failed 4th-and-inches play from their own 34.
On the ensuing drive, an interception from O’Connell near the goal line ended the Raiders’ chances. But without Jacobs’ effort, Las Vegas likely wouldn’t have had to opportunity to tie it up.
Winner: WR Davante Adams
Wide Receiver Davante Adams hurt his shoulder in the first half, on an inaccurate throw from O’Connell. Though the injury appeared serious, Adams returned and also played a huge role in the Vegas comeback.
He finished with eight catches for 75 yards with multiple huge grabs down the stretch. Most of all, he showed how tough he is. The Raiders will have to follow his lead to turn the season around.
Winner: DE Maxx Crosby
Though Mack was the star EDGE player in this game, defensive end Maxx Crosby was his usual disruptive self. He notched two QB sacks and would have had a third if not for an offsides penalty on cornerback David Long.
Crosby also led the defense during its second-half resurgence, which hit a high note when they stuffed the Chargers’ 4th-and-inches play late in the game, giving Las Vegas a chance to tie the score with minutes remaining.
The @Raiders defense comes up huge on 4th down!
📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/UDKOpFZ6aJ
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
Winner: S Tre’von Moehrig
The Raiders had their first defensive takeaway of the season, thanks to an interception from safety Tre’von Moehrig. He showed impressive athleticism on a nice return, but linebacker Robert Spillane drew a flag for an illegal block.
INTERCEPTION!!!#LVvsLAC | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/7Q4uNopPW9
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 1, 2023
The penalty ruined great field position, which proved crucial.
The Raiders got the ball at their own 24-yard line rather than in Chargers territory and looked good on a drive to the LA 39, only to punt the football after a failed third down. A questionable penalty on WR Jakobi Meyers, on an alleged crack-back block, also thwarted their progress, as did Mack’s sixth sack.
Still, with better field position, the Raiders offense had a great chance to capitalize on Moehrig’s takeaway. Instead, they were left with zero points.
Loser: LB Robert Spillane
Spillane’s illegal block was a huge mistake, and the Raiders linebacker also had his share of missed tackles, as many Raiders defenders did, especially in the first half.
Additionally, Spillane provided little resistance as he attempted to defend the Chargers’ first touchdown of the day, a run by QB Justin Herbert.
that's our quarterback 😤
📺: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/Ni7y9LtRNo
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 1, 2023
Loser: OT Kolton Miller
Mack was a menace all afternoon, even getting to the Raiders’ best offensive lineman, offensive tackle Kolton Miller. Miller allowed a strip sack on O’Connell’s second lost fumble of the game.
anotha one
📺: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/gk0p0CYvcL
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 1, 2023
Just like O’Connell’s first costly fumble, which happened on the previous drive, it resulted in seven points for the Chargers. Suddenly, Las Vegas was in a 24-7 hole after their rookie QB succumbed to the Chargers’ pressure, allowed by Miller and others.
Loser: OT Jermaine Eluemunor
No player could contain Mack, and that certainly includes OT Jermaine Eluemunor. He got beat for multiple sacks, even when he had help from a running back or tight end.
Loser: QB Aidan O’Connell
O’Connell showed impressive grit on Sunday, but he still had three turnovers, including an interception to close the game for Los Angeles.
Asante. Samuel. Junior.
📺: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/ugd6BZZfwl
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 1, 2023
He was under constant attack from Mack and others, but his first fumble was self-inflicted, as he pump faked and lost the football, a la Tom Brady on the infamous Tuck Rule.
The rules have changed, however, so even though the plays looked very similar, the rule worked against Las Vegas yet again. It was an enormous mistake by O’Connell, as the Raiders were only down 10-7 at the time.
Considering the ghosts of Raiders past that appeared in LA (Mack and the Tuck Rule) it’s actually impressive that Las Vegas had a chance with a rookie at the helm. O’Connell blew the opportunity, so despite a gritty performance, he’s on the Loser list to start his Raiders career.
Loser: DL Jerry Tillary
After O’Connell’s tuck and fumble, the Chargers drove for a touchdown. They were helped along the way by a wildly undisciplined play by defensive lineman Jerry Tillery.
After Crosby got juked badly by Herbert, Tillery slammed his former teammate to the ground after the play was over.
Jerry Tillery was ejected after this hit on Justin Herbert out of bounds 😳
pic.twitter.com/px4AXbcfTa— PFF (@PFF) October 1, 2023
Loser: HC Josh McDaniels; GM Dave Ziegler
Head coach Josh McDaniels and his longtime friend, general manager Dave Ziegler can’t like what they see from their very own Raiders roster. Not only is their depth lacking, but the overall starting talent in the trenches is questionable at best.
Furthermore, they were tasked with finding a QB after moving on from longtime Raiders signal-caller Derek Carr, and neither Garoppolo nor the rookie they drafted, O’Connell, have shown they are the answer.
O’Connell showed some potential, however. But the Raiders don’t have time to waste. The season is in peril already, and Las Vegas needs to win now to keep their hope alive.
The Raiders’ film session should be painful, as the losers this week weren’t the only players who had bad moments (LB Divine Deablo and cornerbacks Amik Robertson and Long come to mind). Can McDaniels coach his way out of this? Will his players respond? The Raiders will try to answer some of those questions next week at home against the Packers on Monday night.
