The Raiders' first season in Las Vegas has officially come to a close, and what better way to close it out than a win over a division rival?
In the frigid air of Denver, the Silver and Black entered Empower Field at Mile High determined to send their AFC West foe into the offseason with one final "L". Through three-quarters of action, both teams chipped away offensively, before throwing haymakers in the final 15 minutes of action. Back and forth, the Raiders and the Broncos exchanged blows into the waning seconds of regulation.
Given one final opportunity to score, Derek Carr orchestrated a near-perfect drive with 1:47 left on the clock, completing three consecutive passes for 37, 10, and 21 yards to get the Raiders in the red zone. Trailing by six with 24 seconds left, Head Coach Jon Gruden entrusted Josh Jacobs on fourth-and-goal to power his way into the end zone. Rather than skying over the line of scrimmage, like he's grown accustomed to doing, Jacobs bounced his one-yard run outside and found pay dirt, bringing the score to 31-30.
Uninterested in going for the tie and overtime, Gruden kept the offense on the field to try for two. The connection between Carr and Darren Waller has been unwavering and on the offense's final play of the season, the two linked for the game-winning two-point conversion, but the suspense didn't end there.
Drew Lock watched Carr dissect the Broncos' defense from the sideline, and had one chance to try and pull off the upset with 24 seconds remaining. Starting at their own 25-yard line, Lock and the Broncos managed to get within field-goal range because of the Raiders' 14th penalty of the game, but they'd have to settle for a 63-yard attempt. Following the snap, Broncos kicker Brandon McManus' field goal was blocked by the Condor, Maxx Crosby, sealing the Raiders' eighth win of the season in dramatic fashion.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams unit during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 33-yard field goal during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) after making a 28-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) and cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), defensive end Kendal Vickers (91) and linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) celebrates after making a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) celebrates with wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) after making a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Raekwon McMillan (54) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Devontae Booker (23) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick (35) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch for a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with teammates after making a 2-point conversion during the regular season game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
"Obviously very satisfying, that was the plan — that was the only plan," Gruden said when asked about the final drive and the decision to go for two. "It's a credit to our whole team though. We had some really great moments today, we had some ugly moments, but like we always seem to do this year, we hang in there, our defense gets us a stop, and our quarterback is as good as anybody I've been around in those situations. He loves the two-minute drill."
The Raiders amassed 465 yards of offense on 64 plays, averaging 8.8 yards per pass, 4.6 yards per rush, and a total of 7.3 yards per play. Even though the Broncos controlled the time of possession and the Raiders were hit hard by penalties, the team rallied together when it mattered most and overcame adversity.
On top of the win, Darren Waller and Daniel Carlson broke a pair of franchise records. Waller recorded the most receptions in a single season in team history, passing Hall of Famer Tim Brown with 107. Carlson also snapped another Raiders legend's record, eclipsing Sebastian Janikowski for the most points scored in a single season with 144.
There were several notable individual contributions this year, and while the team had postseason aspirations, there will be plenty to build around in 2021. The players and the coaching staff are eager to start preparing for next season by determining areas of improvement, and ultimately earn a spot in the playoffs.
"I'm just sad," Gruden expressed when asked about the season-ending. "I'm emotionally very sad to see the season end. These are my friends, these are my only friends, but they battled. I'm excited about the future."
