The Silver and Black notably overcame a 10-game losing streak to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars inside Allegiant Stadium, 19-14.
The offense produced over 300 total yards for the seventh time this season. Defensively, the unit produced two turnovers courtesy of a 2022 undrafted safety – winning the turnover margin in a game for the second time this season.
Let's dive into three key plays that moved the needle towards the Raiders' third win this season.
Raiders lead 13-7
Second quarter, 03:56
JAX 1st-and-10 at the JAX 30
The Raiders had just extended their lead to six on a 37-yard field goal made by Daniel Carlson and it was Jacksonville's turn for a chance to respond.
Lined up in singleback formation, Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones handed the ball off to their power running back Tank Bigsby. The flood gates opened up on the right side with tackle Anton Harrison making a good block on Robert Spillane and Brandon Scherff holding up his block on rookie Jonah Laulu.
The Raiders defense was lined up in Cover 2 – Tre’von Moehrig and Isaiah Pola-Mao playing high. As Bigsby started streaking through the middle of the field, Pola-Mao trailed off his assignment to go make a play on the rusher.
While going in for the tackle, Pola-Mao's weekly preparation in the film room took over.
"During the week, we talked about it," he said postgame. "PG [Patrick Graham] he said, 'This guy Tank, he holds the ball low. He's going to run hard, so we have to smack him so the next person comes in looking for the ball, but that ball will be low."
With green grass and Moehrig being the only two things in front of the Jaguars running back, Pola-Mao shed his block off tight end Brenton Strange to punch the ball out and Moehrig was in prime position to recover.
"I had to get outside of [Cover] 2, that was my read, and I just kind of got off the block and then as he was coming I [saw] the ball and just punched it," Pola-Mao said."It's body blows and you never know which is going to land, but that one my eyes were on it, I [saw] the ball and I was able to make the play."
The Raiders third-year safety picked up another forced fumble before the end of the half, stopping another Jaguars drive to maintain the Raiders' lead at halftime. Pola-Mao has now reached career highs in forced fumbles (two), pass deflections (three) and solo tackles (50) in 2024.
"Comes in undrafted, works his way up, special teams, gets a little play here or there on defense, and obviously when the opportunity came up, he was ready," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said. "It wasn't like, 'Oh, just throw him in.' No, we were ready for him to play. And all he's done is taken every advantage of it. He's vocal. He has a quiet, like you said, confidence about himself now. He has all the ability in the world; tall, long, can run, ball skills, physicality showed up last night. He's really put himself in a good place."
Jaguars lead 14-13
Fourth quarter, 13:38
LV 3rd-and-3 at the JAX 47
Aidan O'Connell chalked up his added mobility Sunday to playing with "some desperation" to break the 10-game losing streak.
The Jaguars had retaken the lead on the prior possession when Mac Jones found rookie Brian Thomas Jr. wide open for a 62-yard touchdown. The Raiders offense responded by fueling a drive behind O'Connell and veteran running back Ameer Abdullah.
After getting two first downs with an illegal use of hands penalty and Brock Bowers reception, the Raiders offense was once again in a third down situation trying to keep their drive alive. Lined up in shotgun formation, the play began to take its course as tight end Michael Mayer motioned over the right side. As the ball was snapped, Josh Hines-Allen got pressure off the right side against DJ Glaze with tackle Maason Smith closing in on O'Connell to get the sack.
But in clutch fashion, the second-year quarterback sprinted over to the left side to avoid the sack while scanning the field for an open man. O'Connell scrambled for 17.6 yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
"I don't know what got into Aidan tonight, but whatever he ate, Wheaties or cereal or whatever little snack he had, he needs to do it again," Pierce joked. "He was moving way more than I've ever seen."
He eventually found Ameer Abdullah breaking open in man coverage. The quarterback threw a prayer up on his backfoot with the running back coming down for a 12-yard gain and a first down.
"Just give me a chance," Abdullah said, reflecting on seeing O'Connell escape the pocket. "I think Aidan is the type of guy, he believes in his guys who's out there with him. I'm just glad he threw it up and when the ball's in the air I was like, 'That's mine.' Got to come down with it."
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, O'Connell's pass had a 23.6 completion percentage probability with 32.9 yards of air distance.
"Just trying at all costs to make a play and great protection by the offensive line, and obviously, Ameer making an awesome play," O'Connell said. "Ameer has just been doing a great job and the rest of the guys, as well. Like I said, different plays call for different things, and just trying to make a play."
Raiders take 19-14 lead
Fourth quarter, 11:30
LV 1st-and-7 at the JAX 7
After making the catch to keep the drive alive, Abdullah accounted for another 18 total scrimmage yards on the drive – including what was ultimately the game-winning touchdown run for the Raiders.
Down near the goal line at the seven-yard line, the offense lined up in singleback formation with Brock Bowers motioning over to the left to create trips formation on that side. O'Connell handed the ball off to Abdullah.
After bouncing to the right of Dylan Parham, Abdullah won a foot race against defensive backs Andrew Wingard and Tyson Campbell on his way to the end zone. It was his second rushing touchdown this season.
"It was a double team scheme. It's kind of like a little cat and mouse with the linebacker," Abdullah said. "I kind of get my head that way, he focused his head that way. ... So, it was just a misfit by the linebacker and great blocking by the guard and the center. We were able to slip through there and walk in pretty much."
Abdullah has taken on a bigger role in the backfield in the second half of the season as Zamir White, Alexander Mattison and Sincere McCormick all have missed time with injuries. The 10th-year vet totaled 85 scrimmage yards in Sunday's victory.
"[C]oming in this season, probably the third or fourth running back. More thinking about special teams/returner," Pierce said Monday. "Gets the opportunity and all he's done is make the most out of it. I think every time he touched the ball, something good happens for us. Probably has one of our longest runs of the season, going back to that Denver game in Week 5. ... He has a real good presence about himself. Speaks well to the team when he has spoken and does a good job just around the locker room being positive."
View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 16 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium.