Tag: Raiders

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Lone Star Cheetah? Tyreek Hill favored to land with Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tyreek Hill said he’s “out” in the immediate aftermath of Miami’s season-ending loss to the New York Jets on Sunday — a defeat that saw the Dolphins fall to 8-9 and apparently included Hill removing himself from the game.

Coach Mike McDaniel is still assessing the fallout after learning on Monday that he will return for a fourth season. Whether that includes Hill remains to be seen, as McDaniel declined to speculate on the situation following the game.

“There’s a lot of things that I need to reassess about my career,” Hill told reporters. “I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family, whether that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m finna open that door for myself. … I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”

If Hill’s desire to leave South Florida proves to be more than an emotional reaction to the end of a disappointing season, there figures to be a lengthy line of suitors for the “Cheetah.”

One sportsbook has already installed the Dallas Cowboys as the +300 favorite to land Hill should the Dolphins part with him. Dolphins pass rusher Micah Parsons took to X to “recruit” Hill, posting on Monday, “@cheetah we can be the fastest duo in the league!!! we also don’t have state income taxes!”

Owner Jerry Jones has never been shy about adding a high-profile veteran to the Cowboys’ mix, and Hill would make for a massive upgrade opposite CeeDee Lamb in Dallas’ offense.

The second-shortest odds to land Hill belong to the Raiders, who enter the offseason with significant questions at the quarterback position. Third is Atlanta, which may be interested in adding the Georgia native to pair with Drake London.

TYREEK HILL NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Dallas Cowboys (+300)
Las Vegas Raiders (+400)
Atlanta Falcons (+500)
Buffalo Bills (+600)
New England Patriots (+800)
Jacksonville Jaguars (+1000)
Denver Broncos (+1200)
Washington (+1200)
Kansas City Chiefs (+1600)
Cleveland Browns (+1800)
Pittsburgh Steelers (+1800)
Indianapolis Colts (+2200)
New Orleans Saints (+2500)
New York Giants (+2500)
Carolina Panthers (+2800)
Arizona Cardinals (+3300)
New York Jets (+3300)
Chicago Bears (+3800)
Green Bay Packers (+4000)
Seattle Seahawks (+4000)
Tennessee Titans (+4000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4500)
Houston Texans (+5000)
Los Angeles Chargers (+5000)
Los Angeles Rams (+5000)
Baltimore Ravens (+6600)
San Francisco 49ers (+6600)
Cincinnati Bengals (+7500)
Detroit Lions (+7500)
Minnesota Vikings (+7500)
Philadelphia Eagles (+7500)
*Odds provided by SportsBetting.ag for entertainment purposes only.

Hill, who will turn 31 in March, caught 81 passes for 959 yards in 17 games this season — marking his lowest production in a full season since his rookie year with Kansas City in 2016. The drop came following a pair of 1,700-yard seasons to begin his tenure in Miami and with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa limited to 11 games due to concussion and hip injuries.

The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since the 2000 season, the longest active drought of any NFL club.

Before the 2024 season, Hill signed a three-year, $90 million extension through the 2026 season that included a $7 million signing bonus and $59 million in guaranteed money. He is due to count $28.7 million against the 2025 cap and $51.9 million in the final year of the deal in 2026.

Shortly after his comments on Sunday, Hill took to X to thank Dolphins fans for their support, writing “Love fin nation blessing yall opened doors for the Hill family forever, nothing but respect and love”

McDaniel declined to speculate how serious of a threat the eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver might be posing in forcing his way out of the Dolphins.

“I’m not going to put too much weight on second-hand post-game disappointment statements,” McDaniel told reporters. “We will see how (the) next couple days progress in convos with him and I.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) catches the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders TE Brock Bowers sets rookie receptions mark

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers caught four passes in the Raiders’ regular-season finale on Sunday, nudging him past New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers for the NFL’s single-season rookie reception record.

Nabers briefly owned the record after making five grabs in the Giants’ 20-13 loss at Philadelphia early Sunday afternoon to leave him with 109 on the season.

A few hours later, Bowers shook off a slow start and hauled in all four of his receptions during the second half of the Raiders’ 34-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His 110th catch came on a 21-yard connection with Aidan O’Connell in the third quarter.

Bowers finished the season with 112 receptions, the third-most by a tight end in NFL history. Zach Ertz holds the single-season record with his 116-catch campaign with Philadelphia in 2018.

Drafted 13th overall out of Georgia, Bowers became an immediate weapon for Las Vegas and wound up orchestrating the most productive debut season by a tight end in league history. He set the receiving yards record for rookie tight ends, surpassing the 1,076 yard total set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka with Chicago in 1961.

Bowers ended up with 1,194 receiving yards this season, tied for eighth-most in the NFL. He also caught five touchdowns for a Raiders team that finished 4-13 and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

Nabers concluded his first campaign with 1,204 yards, just ahead of Bowers for seventh in the league, and seven touchdowns. The sixth overall pick out of LSU was a bright spot during an otherwise dreary centennial season for New York, which lost a franchise-record 14 games, including 10 straight losses at one point, also a franchise worst.

His fourth catch on Sunday gave him 108 on the year and moved him past Steve Smith (2009) for the Giants’ single-season reception record.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) looks to tackle Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Chargers beat Raiders to lock up No. 5 seed in AFC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quentin Johnston hauled in a career-high 13 receptions for 186 yards, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 34-20 win over the host Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Justin Herbert threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns, completing 28 of 36 passes en route to a 125.2 passer rating. Ladd McConkey chipped in 95 yards on five catches, while J.K. Dobbins added 63 rushing yards on 18 carries to finish the regular season with a career-high 905 rushing yards.

The Chargers clinched the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture with the win, meaning they’ll head to Houston to face the Texans in the wild-card round next weekend. Los Angeles played all of its regular starters on Sunday, presumably with the intention of earning that fifth seed and avoiding a first-round game against the Ravens’ record-setting offense in Baltimore.

Aidan O’Connell threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns, completing 24 of 34 pass attempts. Jakobi Meyers hauled in nine receptions for 123 yards as he reached the 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his six-year career.

Brock Bowers added four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown to finish his rookie campaign with 112 receptions. The Las Vegas tight end set the single-season reception record for a rookie at any position.

The Chargers took a 17-10 lead into halftime after scoring 11 points in the final 1:05 of the second quarter. Daiyan Henley intercepted O’Connell and returned it to the Raiders’ 30-yard line with 44 seconds left in the half, a mere 21 seconds of game time after Cameron Dicker trimmed the Raiders’ lead to 10-9 with a 49-yard field goal.

The Chargers’ offense only needed four plays to capitalize, as Herbert found DJ Chark for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining in the half. Herbert then found Ladd McConkey for the two-point conversion, pushing Los Angeles’ lead to a touchdown at the break.

The Chargers added insurance with a 2-yard touchdown connection from Herbert to tight end Will Dissly with 13:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, after Herbert set the Chargers in the red zone with a 41-yard scramble two plays earlier.

Hassan Haskins punched it in from the 2-yard line to give the Chargers a 34-13 lead late in the fourth.

Bowers caught a 12-yard touchdown in the final minute of the game to cap his standout season.

The Raiders scored the game’s first touchdown to take a 10-3 lead with 13:06 remaining in the second quarter, as O’Connell found a wide-open Meyers for a 25-yard touchdown after Meyers shook free from his defender with a crafty double move.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Playoff-bound Chargers not sitting starters in finale vs. Raiders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A month ago it may have sounded unfathomable, but the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to close a disappointing campaign with a third straight victory on Sunday as they host the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers.

It won’t be an easy task for a Raiders (4-12) team that has suddenly found life in the season’s waning moments. Despite the Chargers (10-6) being locked into the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs, coach Jim Harbaugh plans to play the starters with the full intent of entering the postseason on a winning note.

“We play to win,” Harbaugh told the Lets Go! Podcast. “We’re going to be playing to win at all times. That never changes. I like what Derwin James said. He’s our captain. That leadership’s been already bequeathed to those tremendous leaders that we have on the team, and he said 11 wins sounds better than 10. So we’re attacking it. We’re attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.

“What are we going to do? Dress 25 guys for the game?”

The Raiders’ sudden uptick in performance has been the subject of controversy among the Silver and Black’s vocal fanbase. After their 10th straight loss — 15-9 to the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 16 — the Raiders were 2-12 and in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

That presumably would have led to the selection of future franchise quarterback Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. Instead, the Raiders then beat the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. The result? They’ve now dropped to the projected eighth overall pick after a season that was as dire as any in franchise history.

Regardless, the outside opinions mean little to the people inside the locker room in Nevada.

“(The message is to) finish,” Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said. “We all signed up for 17 games, an 18-week schedule. We’ve had a really good month in my opinion, regardless of record. Just seeing the improvement, things that we talked about, and now just a great opportunity against a divisional foe that we know very well, that we saw in Week 1, to finish.”

The Chargers got the better of the Raiders in that season-opening matchup with a convincing 22-10 home victory. JK Dobbins was the star, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in his team debut.

Dobbins has a career-high 842 rushing yards with nine touchdowns despite missing four games with a knee injury. Los Angeles has won two straight games, including a convincing 40-7 road drubbing of the New England Patriots last Sunday.

One silver lining for the Raiders has been the historic emergence of rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who broke both Mike Ditka’s record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,144) and Puka Nacua’s record for most receptions by a rookie (108) in the win over the Saints last Sunday. Bowers also set a franchise receptions for catches in a season, surpassing Darren Waller (107 in 2020).

The Chargers have their own rookie star emerging in Bowers’ former Georgia teammate Ladd McConkey. He is fourth among all rookies in receptions (77) and yards (1,054) and tied for second in TDs (seven) despite missing a game with an AC joint injury.

A big reason for McConkey’s emergence has been his chemistry with Justin Herbert, who has thrown for 3,524 yards and 21 touchdowns this season while throwing only three interceptions.

On the injury front, Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (foot) and guard Jordan Meredith (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday, while defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson (ankle), defensive tackle John Jenkins (heel), tackle Kolton Miller (wrist) and safeties Isaiah Pola-Mao (hip) and Trey Taylor (back) were limited.

McConkey (toe) was among the Chargers who sat out practice Wednesday, along with running back Gus Edwards (ankle), wide receiver Josh Palmer (foot) and Poona Ford (elbow). Linebacker Denzel Perriman (groin) and tackle Trey Pipkins III (hip) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) catches a pass against New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders find winning formula again in topping Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdown passes, Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals, Ameer Abdullah had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and the visiting Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints 25-10 on Sunday afternoon.

Abdullah, playing in the 141st game of his 10-year career, finished with 115 yards on 20 carries. O’Connell completed 20 of 35 passes for 242 yards as the Raiders (4-12) won their second straight after a 10-game losing streak.

Brock Bowers added seven receptions for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 receiving yards, which broke the NFL single-season record for a rookie tight end, set by Mike Ditka with 1,076 yards in 14 games in 1961.

Rookie Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and fell to 0-5 as the starter for the Saints (5-11).

Las Vegas’s first possession of the third quarter resulted in Carlson’s 54-yard field goal, which increased its lead to 16-10 at the end of the period.

Carlson’s 25-yard field goal pushed the lead to 19-10 on the third play of the fourth quarter. O’Connell added an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker to complete the scoring.

The Raiders received the opening kickoff and held the ball for 17 plays before stalling. Carlson kicked a 31-yard field goal and the 3-0 lead held up through the end of the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Rattler threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to former Raiders tight end Foster Moreau and the Saints took a 7-3 lead with their first points in the first half in three games.

The ensuing possession ended with Carlson kicking a 39-yard field goal that trimmed the lead to 7-6.

O’Connell threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers to give Las Vegas a 13-7 lead with 57 seconds left in the second quarter. Rattler completed 5 of 7 for 54 yards in driving New Orleans to Blake Grupe’s 34-yard field goal as time expired that trimmed the lead to 13-10 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders jerseys at the Raider Image store at the C Gates of the Henry Reid International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders showing up late to New Orleans due to delayed flight

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders had a flight delayed for several hours on Saturday, forcing them to head to New Orleans late for their meeting with the Saints on Sunday.

Las Vegas was hoping to fly out in the morning, but a mechanical issue on its plane prevented it from doing so. Instead, the Raiders had to wait for a second plane, which didn’t get out of town until about 10 p.m. ET.

Kickoff for Las Vegas’ matchup with New Orleans is at 1 p.m. ET.

Because of the delay, the Raiders had to hold team meetings at their facility instead of the team’s hotel.

Las Vegas is 3-12 this season and has already been eliminated from playoff contention.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Saints, smarting from shutout loss, seek turnaround vs. Raiders

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The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t going to the playoffs. Neither are the New Orleans Saints.

When the two teams meet Sunday in New Orleans, it will be largely an audition for future employment for coaches and players on both teams.

Las Vegas (3-12) hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question.

New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season.

The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. None has shown that he should be considered a centerpiece of the rebuild going forward.

Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday.

Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.

“Guys are never going to quit,” Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “We hear about (draft picks) and all that, but we’re professionals. We do our best to win every play every day, and wherever the ball falls, it falls.”

The Raiders’ losing streak included games decided by five, seven, two and six points.

“It is so hard to win in this league,” Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison said. “When you’re this close so many times … you just want to finish the season strong.”

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers needs 10 receiving yards to break Mike Ditka’s NFL rookie record for tight ends (1,076 yards in 1961).

New Orleans (5-10), meanwhile, is trying to avoid another poor start. The Saints allowed touchdowns on Green Bay’s first three possessions to fall behind 21-0 and never recovered.

“It was the first game where the score wasn’t very competitive,” said Rizzi, whose first two losses as interim head coach came by seven points and one point. “I saw a lot of great effort from guys. We just didn’t execute well. There was nothing that stuck out on film more than just the lack of execution and the lack of playmaking.”

Rattler, who relieved Jake Haener after a scoreless first half in a loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15, had an interception and lost a fumble against the Packers.

“We’ve got to get rid of those negative plays — for any quarterback,” Rizzi said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your fourth game or your 400th game.”

Both teams were off Wednesday so the players’ statuses were an estimate of what their level of participation would have been for a full practice. Guard Jordan Meredith was the lone Raider listed as a non-participant, while Carr was one of four Saints starters listed that way.

Rizzi said left guard Lucas Patrick (knee) would miss the last two games. Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and center Erik McCoy (elbow) will be evaluated throughout the week. Wide receiver Chris Olave (head) missed the past six games, but he was listed as a full participant on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce celebrates after the Raiders made a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce after win hurts draft order: ‘We don’t do this to lose’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before Week 16, the Las Vegas Raiders were neck-and-neck with the New York Giants for the distinction of worst record in the NFL and the reward that comes with it: the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

The Raiders (3-12) have now plummeted out of the top five thanks to their 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce didn’t want hear about it when addressing reporters Monday, one day after fans on social media trashed the organization for winning a so-called meaningless game that hurt their draft position.

He said fans more concerned with the team’s 2025 draft picks should “Talk to Tom Telesco” — Las Vegas’ general manager — before going deeper.

“We don’t do this to lose,” Pierce said. “We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. We don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that (expletive) matters to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”

The Raiders’ win was their first since Sept. 29, ending a 10-game losing streak. The Giants lost their 10th straight game to be the NFL’s only 2-13 team.

Las Vegas is not only tied with four other teams at 3-12, but it currently sits in the No. 6 overall spot because it loses the strength of schedule tiebreaker to the New England Patriots, Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

It’s felt acutely by Raiders fans because the franchise has run into a black hole at quarterback. Las Vegas has used Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder at the position, with none making a case to be the starter in 2025 and beyond.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward are the only two quarterbacks projected to go in the first round by many recent mock drafts.

The last time the Raiders got to select No. 1 overall in 2007, they picked QB JaMarcus Russell, widely considered one of the biggest NFL draft busts of all time.

The Raiders’ two remaining games come Dec. 29 at the New Orleans Saints and in Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) makes a catch against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders end 10-game skid by knocking off Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brock Bowers caught 11 passes for 99 yards and Isaiah Pola-Mao forced two fumbles to lead the Raiders to a 19-15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Las Vegas.

The Raiders ended a league-high 10 game losing streak with their first since beating the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sept. 29.

The game nearly flipped at the end of the third quarter, after Daniel Carlson’s third field goal attempt of the game went wide right. Three plays later, Mac Jones found an uncovered Brian Thomas Jr. for a 62-yard touchdown that put the Jaguars ahead 14-13 after the extra point.

The Raiders responded, as Aidan O’Connell pulled off an improbable escape from a collapsing pocket to complete a 12-yard pass to Ameer Abdullah on third-and-three. Three plays later, Abudallah pranced into the endzone for the go-ahead score to put the Raiders ahead 19-14. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.

Abdullah ran for 38 yards and a touchdown on seven carries as the Raiders ran for 69 yards as a team. They were without emerging back Sincere McCormick, who was placed on the IR this week with a season-ending ankle injury.

The Raiders’ were also without star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who also went on IR for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

The Raiders took a 13-7 lead after Carlson made 49- and 37-yard field goals on successive possessions. The Raiders’ first-half momentum continued on the Jaguars’ next possession, as Pola-Mao punched the ball out of Tank Bigsby’s arms for teammate Tre’von Moehrig to recover.

Pola-Mao forced his second fumble in the closing seconds of the first half, jarring the ball out of the arms of Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange. Thomas Harper made the recovery with nine seconds remaining.

Bigsby opened the scoring, breaking the plane with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Las Vegas answered on its ensuing possession by capping a six-play, 70-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Alexander Mattison. The run was set up by a 29-yard completion from O’Connell to Tre Tucker two plays earlier, as Tucker maneuvered the sideline for a toe-tap catch.

O’Connell finished with 257 yards on 24-of-38 passing.

Thomas led the Jaguars with 132 yards on nine receptions, while Parker Washington tallied six receptions for 54 yards. Bigsby led Jacksonville with 50 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Mac Jones threw for 247 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-39 passing.

The Raiders outgained Jacksonville 314-308.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Feeling drafty, Raiders (2-12) roll out red carpet for 11-loss Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Five combined wins, 23 total losses and starting quarterbacks confined to IR bring the Jacksonville Jaguars to Las Vegas with 2025 top of mind.

The Raiders own a league-worst 10-game losing streak and get ready to face Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones in perhaps the best opportunity for a win Las Vegas has had in weeks.

The Raiders (2-12) let a good opportunity slip through their fingertips on Monday, falling 15-9 to the Atlanta Falcons despite limiting Kirk Cousins to a season-low 112 yards and an interception. The Raiders allowed just 261 yards but could only muster 249 yards themselves. Ex-Falcon Desmond Ridder made his debut start for the Raiders, throwing one touchdown and two costly interceptions.

Las Vegas is without former Jaguars starter Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars continue behind Jones because Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is on IR, too.

Long afterthoughts in the postseason picture, both franchises are fully in the tight race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Raiders last picked No. 1 in 2007 (JaMarcus Russell) but are currently tied with the New York Giants for the worst record in the league.

Not far behind are the Jaguars in a pack that includes the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns. Jacksonville beat the Titans and Patriots for their two most recent wins this season and lost to the Browns in Week 2.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who could be on the chopping block at the end of the season, insists Jacksonville isn’t focused on a draft board, but finishing the current season with focus and intensity. He said the front office in Jacksonville and elsewhere will take notice of players willing to show up the rest of the way.

“Those are the guys you can build your team around,” Pederson said.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has a bone bruise in his knee from the Raiders’ loss at Tampa Bay, is expected to play on Sunday after undergoing a full-speed workout prior to last week’s game and returning to practice this week.

“He had a good workout,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Just wasn’t there quite yet to put him out there in that position. So, we kept him as the emergency quarterback, and I would say he’s trending upwards to play this week.”

Jones won’t have to deal with All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby. He underwent surgery on a lingering foot injury. Crosby was officially placed on IR on Wednesday along with running back Sincere McCormick.

Jacksonville is looking for its second win in three games despite a disappointing season otherwise. Lawrence initially suffered the injury in a Week 9 loss to the Eagles and missed the next two games before suffering a concussion on a controversial hit from Texans safety Azeez Al-Shaair in his return. Lawrence elected to have season-ending surgery to fully correct his left shoulder once he cleared concussion protocol.

The Jaguars went down to the wire at home against the Jets on Sunday, losing 32-25 as they gave up the game-winning touchdown with 1:05 remaining. Jones was serviceable, completing 31 of 46 pass attempts for 294 yards and two touchdowns. Jones did throw two costly interceptions, but all things considered he looked more like the 2021 version of himself than the version seen at the end of his stint in New England.

If the Jaguars find their way to the No. 1 pick in the draft, it would be the third time since 2021, when they drafted Lawrence, in the top spot.

Their most recent first-rounder, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., has emerged as a rising star in the Jaguars offense.

The rookie out of LSU displayed superstar potential in the Jaguars’ loss Sunday, catching 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas is tied for fifth in the NFL with eight touchdown receptions and is likely to reach 1,000 yards receiving on the season this week as he enters Sunday’s game with 964 yards.

Tight end Brenton Strange sustained an AC joint sprain last week in an 11-catch game against the Jets and was limited Wednesday. He was threatening to emerge as a complement to Thomas with Evan Engram out for the season. Jacksonville offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland (knee) and Brandon Scherff (knee, shoulder) were also limited.

The Raiders also have an emerging superstar in rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who actually led the league in receptions going into last week.

Bowers, now fourth in receptions (90) after only catching three passes in each of his last two games, has three games this season with 10-plus grabs. Bowers already has more catches than any rookie tight end in league history and is still within range of the overall rookie receptions record set by Rams receiver Puka Nacua (105) last season.

“(Bowers is a) great young player,” Pederson said. “Just his ability to separate and get open. Obviously (the Raiders are) using him the right way and just making plays for him. He’s a dynamic tight end.”

“(Tight ends) are a bigger body, so you can create some matchups and that’s what you see (the Raiders doing). He runs extremely well, obviously”

Raiders offensive guard Jordan Meredith (ankle) was the only player who did not practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media