With time running on the clock in the fourth quarter Las Vegas Raider kicker Daniel Carlson got the game winning boot against the Cleveland Browns defense at FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland on Mon Dec 20, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Rich Perez
The Las Vegas Raiders (7-7) just squeaked by the Cleveland Browns (7-7) 16-14 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Raiders in a must win situation against just got by in the fourth quarter thanks to kicker Daniel Carlson who kicked a 48 yard field goal.
The win helped the Raiders snap a two game losing streak and kept Las Vegas’ playoffs hope alive. The Raiders earlier in the game fell a point behind 14-13 when Browns third string quarterback Nick Mullens threw for a six yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Harrison Bryant with just under four minutes left at 3:45 in the game.
Mullens got the call in his first appearance all season after starter Baker Mayfield and second stringer Case Keenum both tested positive for Covid 19 along with eight other teammates. The lack of help helped the Raiders just get by the Browns in the latter stages of the game.
This game was originally scheduled for Saturday but got the Monday afternoon 3 PM PST or 6PM EST start after the Browns were in Covid protocols. With just 2:47 left in the game Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw a pass intended for wide receiver Zay Jones that was intercepted by Browns cornerback Greedy Williams which the Browns and their fans figured they Browns would wind the clock down and hand the Raiders another L.
It was not to be for the Browns, Browns running back Nick Chubb couldn’t get much daylight against the Raiders defense. Chubb took three carries against the Raiders defense only to be held to seven yards.
With 1:50 left in the game the Raiders got another chance and the ball back and Carr under center wanted Las Vegas to get into good field position to come back and score. After Browns kicker Dustin Colquitt punted the Raiders got the ball on their own 30 and Carr went to work.
Carr threw three yard pass to Foster Moreau, then Jones for 12 yards, Raider running back Josh Jacobs carried for nine yards, Moreau caught a 12 yard pass and got the ball to the 30 yard line in the Browns zone.
The Thanksgiving Day hero Carlson would get another chance to boot another game winner. Carlson hit a game winning field goal to hand the Raiders a 36-33 win on Thanksgiving day. Fast forward to Monday and Carlson lined it up and hit the ball for a 48 yarder to get the Raiders a two point win. Carlson has now booted 31 successful field goals out of 34 attempts.
The next game for the Raiders, they will host the Denver Broncos Sun Dec 26th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas at 1:25 pm PST. The Broncos lost a tough one to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday 15-10. Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was relieved by back up Drew Lock after receiving a concussion. Bridgewater was released from the hospital on Monday.
Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com