This week’s Monday Night Football is one to remember. The Raiders’ debut in Las Vegas also marks the 188th location for play in NFL history. It is also a memorable victory as the Raiders defeated the Saints in a 34-24 upset in their new home.
Except there were no fans in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic. This did not stop the Raiders’ drive.
In the beginning, it seemed as if the Raiders were continuing their offensive woes in the Death Star. Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked three times in the first quarter. The defense continued its struggles, giving up 10 points in the first quarter after a 1-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara. However, Las Vegas steadily bounced back, scoring 17 points to tie up the game at halftime. This was set up by a critical interception from linebacker Nicholas Morrow.
The Raiders continued to roll on both sides of the field, controlling the ball for over 36 minutes throughout the game.
A critical turning point was Jalen Richard fumbling the ball. However, he bounced back with a 20-yard touchdown run during the next possession to give the Raiders a 31-17 lead. Drew Brees led the Saints to an eight-play, 67-yard drive down the field, with Kamara scoring his second touchdown to cut the lead to 7.
The play of the game was not a game-winning catch, but a pass interference against Janoris Jankins. This allowed the Raiders to bring in the kicking unit and seal the victory with a 54-yard Daniel Carlson field goal. An interesting fact is limiting Brees to 312 yards, one touchdown, and an interception off 26 of 38 pass attempts. The Saints were missing Michael Thomas, but still had a solid offense, yet the Raiders successfully stopped their offense when necessary.
Highlights
Raiders on the board for the first time in Vegas 🙌
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/5J37w3w26j
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 22, 2020
In historic fashion, the Raiders scored their first points in Las Vegas with a short hook pass to fullback Alec Ingold. This led to four straight scoring drives to give the Raiders a 24-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
For the first time in the endzone this season…
he went to JARED 💍 #Saints pic.twitter.com/LZw7fjZLkL
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 22, 2020
The Saints bounced back with a quick slant route from former Raiders’ tight end Jared Cook to give them a 17-7 lead.
AK makes it a one-score game 📈
4 and a half to go! #NOvsLV
📺 ESPN // 📱 #Saints App pic.twitter.com/oZzAThxCxR— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 22, 2020
After a Jalen Richard touchdown, the Saints bounced back with a 3-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara to cut the lead to 31-24.
Somewhere Sebastian Janikowski is smiling.@DanielCarlson38 converts from somewhere near Summerlin to make it a two-score game late.#NOvsLV | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/tBfiM0t0yI
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 22, 2020
Head Coach Jon Gruden makes a risky call to go for the field goal instead of a punt on fourth down and it paid off, with Daniel Carlson successfully converting the 54-yard attempt. This sealed the Raiders’ first victory in their new, $2 billion home.
Both teams lost their left guards, which will be key for the upcoming weeks. Saints’ left guard Andrus Peat went down in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury. Raiders’ exited the game in the first half with an Achilles injury that bothered him in practice. This is something to keep an eye on, as Trent Brown and Sam Young did not suit up. The offensive line held today, but it is questionable if they can do so in the long run.
The Saints fall to 1-1 and will travel back home to host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Raiders improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2017 and will look to win their third consecutive game in Foxborough against the New England Patriots on Sunday morning.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
