Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 13, 2022 (AP News photo)
Raiders Fall In Final Minute to Colts 25-20
By Barbara Mason
Last Sunday Nov 6th the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) lost to the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars 27-20. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, enough to win most games. Las Vegas only managed 73 rushing yards and the fumble at the end of the game sealed the loss for the Raiders.
Sun Nov 13th the Raiders took on Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1) and fell on the last play of the game 25-20. The Colts scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter. A rush by quarterback Matt Ryan up the middle for one yard gave the Colts the early lead 7-0.
In the early minutes of the second quarter Chase McLaughlin kicked a 48 Yd. field goal extending the Indianapolis lead 10-0. Through the first two quarters the Raiders offense was stagnant. In the final minute, at 0:58 Las Vegas showed some life. Quarterback Derek Carr completed a 4 Yd pass to Foster Moreau and a touchdown. The Raiders trailed at the half 13-7 but had finally gotten up on the scoreboard. The Colts had won the coin toss and elected to start the second half.
The Raiders put together an excellent drive late in the third quarter. On a 2nd and 20 Carr found Foster Moreau for 18 yards driving down to the Indianapolis 17 yard line. Moreau was injured during that play and his return was questionable. Three plays later Las Vegas scored when Josh Jacobs rushed for one yard tying up the game at 13. Daniel Carlson kick the extra point giving the Raiders their first lead of the game 14-13.
With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, the Colts put together a successful drive culminating in a Jonathan Taylor touchdown. The attempted two-point conversion failed. Indianapolis took a 19-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Raiders scored in the early minutes of the fourth quarter when Derek Carr found Devante Adams in the end zone for 48 yards and the Raiders third touchdown of the day. Las Vegas would attempt a two-point conversion that failed. The Raiders now had a 20-19 lead with 11:36 left in the game.
To this point Matt Ryan had not thrown for a single touchdown. Derek Carr on the other hand had thrown two touchdowns.
The Colts would take back the lead with 5:07 left on the clock 25-20. This was Matt Ryan’s second rushing touchdown of the game. At the two minute warning the Raiders were in Colt territory 1st and 10 at the 49 Yd. line. Las Vegas drove deep into Colt territory and with 55 seconds on the clock had a 4th and seven. It all came down to one final play for the Raiders. An attempted pass from Carr to Adams failed and Indianapolis came away with the win 25-20. Las Vegas had fallen to a dismal 2-7.
The Raiders waited far too long to get this game going. They had a terrible first half and came on strong in the second half but had to play from behind for much of the second half. It was just too little too late.
They had every opportunity to close out this game in the final minute but could not get any offense going. Carr finished with 248 yards passing with two touchdowns, Josh Jacobs had 78 rushing yards and one touchdown, Devante Adams finished with 126 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Next week the Raiders take on the Broncos in Denver a very tough stadium to manage. The atmosphere alone makes winning a challenge. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 PM PT.