LAS VEGAS — Defense has been the strength of both the Jets and the Raiders this season.
However, it was the Raiders defense that stood tall when it mattered the most.
The Raiders (5-5) defeated the Jets (4-5) 16-12 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday Night Football. Sunday was the Jets’ sixth game this season that was decided by one score or less. Before Sunday, Gang Green was 3-2 in those contests.
Tied 9-9 at the end of the third quarter, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs got the ball to the Jets’ 13 on a 40-yard run. That set up tight end Michael Mayer‘s seven-yard touchdown grab over safety Jordan Whitehead at the corner of the end zone, which gave the Raiders a 16-9 lead.
The Jets responded with a 45-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein, which was his fourth of the night to cut the deficit to 16-12.
It appeared the Raiders were going to hold on for the win, but linebacker Jamien Sherwood stripped Jacobs at the Jets’ 25 and safety Ashtyn Davis recovered. That gave the Jets offense new life with 5:58 remaining.
At the two-minute warning, the Jets had one final chance to take the lead down four points at the Raiders’ 22. But Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane intercepted Wilson to help the Raiders seal the victory. That was Wilson’s first interception since the Jets victory against the Broncos on Oct. 8.
The Jets got the ball one final time following a punt by the Raiders with one minute left but they failed to find the end zone.
Like all season, the Jets defense did its part in containing the Raiders offense. Gang Green allowed only 274 yards of total offense and Las Vegas couldn’t get much going in rookie Aidan O’Connell’s third start of the second and second after replacing Jimmy Garoppolo as starter.
O’Connell completed 16 of 26 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Jets defense sacked O’Connell three times, with the Raiders missing left tackle Kolton Miller due to a shoulder injury. Jacobs was able to feast on the Jets defense, which entered the night 30th in the NFL in rushing defense. He ran for 100 yards on 23 carries. The Raiders as a team rushed for 148 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
After a week where he was heavily criticized for his poor play during the 27-6 loss against the Chargers, Zach Wilson completed 21 of 34 passes for 227 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 54 yards, including a 20-yard run that set up a 30-yard field goal by Zuerlein in the second quarter.
The Jets also scored points (three field goals) on each of their first three possessions. However, the team couldn’t generate much offense after that. Gang Green had just three points after that, which marked the second straight game it couldn’t find the end zone.
Last week against the Chargers, Wilson was sacked eight times and he fumbled three separate times. He also held the ball entirely too. Because of that, many Jets fans were clamoring for Robert Saleh to bench Wilson in favor of backup Tim Boyle or Trevor Siemian, who is currently on the team’s practice squad.
But Saleh has continued to support Wilson after Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles tear in the season opener against the Bills on Sept. 11.
For the second consecutive week, penalties have been an issue for the Jets. Against the Raiders, the Jets committed eight penalties for 83 yards. Many of them wiped out massive gains from Breece Hall and others.
Last week, during the loss to the Chargers, it was much of the same. The Jets registered eight penalties for 40 yards.
The Jets will be on the road for the second consecutive week to take on the Bills. The Raiders will also hit the road in Week 11 when they travel to Miami to play the Dolphins.
Antwan Staley
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