The Raiders went to Indianapolis with their season on the line on Sunday and beat the Colts, 23-20 after a last-second Daniel Carlson field goal sealed the deal.
It wasn’t easy getting there for Las Vegas, however. After dominating the early portion of the game and taking a 10-0 lead, mistakes by the Raiders let the Colts get back in it. Indianapolis eventually took a 17-13 advantage, but Las Vegas didn’t give up and secured its first winning season since 2016.
Here are the Raiders winners and losers in this week’s consequential win. The victory puts their record at 9-7 and sets up a mega-matchup next weekend against the Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. If Las Vegas wins that game, they’ll make the playoffs.
Winners
Hunter Renfrow
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had his fingerprints all over this big win. He had a 41-yard punt return early on, and he had a receiving touchdown that put the Raiders ahead, 20-17. It was on a 4th-and-2 play and Renfrow broke open in the end zone with masterful skill, making his job look easy in the process.
Who else?@derekcarrqb X @renfrowhunter #LVvsIND | FOX | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/mqhaFO6CG0
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 2, 2022
Renfrow also had a huge reception on the Raiders’ game-winning drive. For a second, it appeared he scored a 48-yard touchdown, but he was down by contact. The play put the Raiders in range for Carlson’s winning kick, however.
Also, Renfrow crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, the first 1,000-yard campaign of his young career. By the looks of it, it won’t be Renfrow’s last.
Zay Jones
Speaking of firsts, WR Zay Jones notched the first 100-yard game of his career. He finished the game with eight grabs for 120 yards, including a 42-yard haul that set up Renfrow’s touchdown.
.@derekcarrqb with a DIME!#LVvsIND | FOX pic.twitter.com/jcx0fPMrii
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 2, 2022
Jones made several other clutch receptions, but his 42-yard catch was huge — both within this game and for the Raiders’ identity, which for much of the year has involved taking huge chunks of yardage. If Las Vegas can have more big plays next week, it would drastically increase their chances to make the playoffs.
Derek Carr
Carr had two interceptions in this game, but he remained steady and got the job done late, surviving a string of Raiders miscues.
He was only sacked twice, but Carr had to scramble for his football life on several occasions, including the Raiders’ big 4th-and-2 touchdown to Renfrow. He finished his day with 255 yards on 24-31 passing, one touchdown, and those two picks.
Daniel Carlson
Kicker Daniel Carlson notched the game-winning kick, but for a moment, it appeared he might be a major reason Las Vegas lost this one.
Carlson was a part of the Raiders’ string of mistakes to end the first half and start the second. After a false start from offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood ruined a 3rd-and-1 try in the red zone, Carlson made one of his three field goals on the day. But he booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. The Colts took advantage of the good field position and drove for a touchdown just before halftime, reducing Vegas’ lead to 13-10.
But in the end, Carlson was clutch. It appears the Raiders made a great decision to sign him to a contract extension earlier this season.
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