"El final fue probablemente el más loco del que he formado parte", así describió el cierre del partido el entrenador en jefe Josh McDaniels y tiene mucha razón, porque el triunfo de los Raiders sobre los Patriotas por marcador final de 30 a 24 fue uno no apto para cardiacos.
El Estadio Allegiant fue una montaña rusa de emociones para la Nación Raider, primero con los Malosos tomando una ventaja de 14 puntos al final de la primera mitad, luego vieron como Nueva Inglaterra se fue al frente anotando 21 puntos sin respuesta, pero los Raiders consiguieron dos touchdowns en los últimos 32 segundos del juego para cambiar lo que era una pesadilla a una remontada de ensueño.
"Encuentren la manera de hacer lo correcto", fue lo que Davante Adams le dijo a sus compañeros, según lo relatado por Derek Carr y eso fue lo que logró hacer Las Vegas al no tirar la toalla a pesar de que todo parecía estar en su contra en el cierre del partido.
En la primera mitad las tres fases del equipo cumplieron para los Raiders, con la ofensiva encontrando las diagonales dos veces con pases anotadores de Derek Carr a Darren Waller y Mack Hollins. Por su parte, la defensa limitó a los Patriotas a 111 yardas y 3 puntos. Mientras que los equipos especiales consiguieron un gol de campo y bloquearon una patada de despeje, la cual le dejó con un campo corto a Carr y compañía para conseguir su segundo touchdown del juego, e irse al vestidor arriba 17 a 3.
Pero, la noche parecía caerle encima a los Malosos en la segunda mitad, cuando la ofensiva no consiguió puntos en sus primeras seis series, de la cual la primera de ellas terminó en una intercepción regresada a las diagonales por Kyle Dugger al arrancar el tercer cuarto.
Por su parte, la ofensiva de los Patriotas fue ganando confianza y su esfuerzo fue recompensado por una acarreo anotador de Rhamondre Stevenson, corredor egresado de la preparatoria Centennial en Las Vegas. Aunado a los dos goles de campo que habían anotado tras el descanso de medio tiempo, los visitantes consiguieron su primera ventaja en el juego con solo 3:43 restantes en el último cuarto.
Un triunfo parecía 'Misión Imposible' para los Raiders, porque la ofensiva fue sacada del campo con un tres y fuera al lanzar tres pases incompletos consecutivos. Afortunadamente, la defensa Malosa respondió deteniendo al ataque de los Patriotas de la misma forma y Las Vegas tuvo el balón de regreso con 2:11 restantes en el juego.
La forma en la que había operado la ofensiva en la segunda mitad hacia una remontada lucir poco probable, pero todo puede pasar en el fútbol americano. Derek Carr conectó pases con Mack Hollins (dos veces), Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller y Keelan Cole, recorriendo 81 yardas en un minuto con 39 segundos para empatar el juego.
Cuando todo mundo estaba pensando en pasar más tiempo en el Estadio Allegiant con el partido yéndose a la prórroga, los Patriotas quisieron intentar pases laterales en su última jugada y esto beneficio a los Raiders, ya que el último de ellos terminó en las manos de Chandler Jones que regresó el balón a la zona de anotación para darle a los Raiders la victoria sobre Nueva Inglaterra, la primera ante ellos desde el 17 de Noviembre del 2002.
"Si has jugado con los Raiders durante algún tiempo, hemos visto suceder una buena cantidad de cosas", comentó el mariscal de campo Derek Carr. "Pero no había visto algo así y estoy feliz que nos favoreció a nosotros".
Jones es uno de ocho ex-jugadores de los Patriotas en el plantel activo de Las Vegas. Josh McDaniels estuvo por 18 años en el staff de coacheo comandado por Bill Belichick y este triunfo lo tiene con marca invicta de 2-0 enfrentado a su mentor. Pero lo más importante, mantiene a los Raiders con vida en la búsqueda por un puesto en la postemporada.
"Todos los días estamos intentando hacer lo correcto", declaró Carr. "Estamos tratando de tener a todos en la misma página para hacer lo correcto todos los días. Cuando todos hacen lo correcto, los resultados son buenos. Y no estoy hablando solo de un juego, estoy hablando de cada jugada. Hablamos de lo mismo hace 12 meses, pero hay que seguir jugando, ¿está garantizado (el pase a postemporada)? No. Muchas cosas tienen que salir como necesitamos. Tenemos que trabajar muy duro y ganar esta semana. Y entonces, comienza con mi preparación esta noche contra los Acereros."
Tener marca de 1-0 esta semana, esa es la meta. Se cumplió ante los Patriotas. Ahora el equipo necesita trabajar para hacerlo en Pittsburgh el sábado.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense huddle during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Duron Harmon (30) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (93) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates after making a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrates with tight end Foster Moreau (87) after making a 25-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98), linebacker Denzel Perryman (52), cornerback Tyler Hall (37), cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) makes a 5-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) celebrates after making a 5-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) celebrates with quarterback Derek Carr (4) after making a 5-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a PAT during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Matthias Farley (41) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (90) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (93) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (93) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (90) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense huddle during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) and safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) makes a 30-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) makes a 30-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) celebrates after making a 30-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) celebrates with wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) after making a 30-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) celebrates after making a 30-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a PAT during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) recovers a fumble for a 48-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) recovers a fumble for a 48-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) recovers a fumble for a 48-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) recovers a fumble for a 48-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) after recovering a fumble for a 48-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the field after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) exits the field after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (93) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels and defensive end Chandler Jones (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
