Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) carries a first half touchdown into the end zone against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) hopes for a wild card berth in the playoffs came to an end in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) topped them 23-20. The Raiders drop two games below .500 going into the final week of the 2023 season.
Game recap: This game remained close after the first quarter with the Colts leading 7-3. Indianapolis scored first when Jonathan Taylor rushed for five yards giving the Colts an early 7-0 lead. Las Vegas went to work looking to tie up the game but had to settle for a 40 yard Daniel Carlson Field Goal. The score was 7-3 in favor of the Colts as the first quarter came to an end.
Indianapolis extended their lead in the second quarter scoring their second touchdown of the day. Quarterback Gardner Minshew found Alec Pierce for 58 yards and the score now leading 14-3. The Colts would take the 14-3 lead into the locker room at the half and the Raiders had a lot of work to do in the second half.
Ace wide receiver Davante Adams would score the Raiders first touchdown of the game. The score was a four yard pass from Aidan O’Connell and Las Vegas was back in this game 10-14. The Raiders would need their defense to step up and put a stop on the Colts.
Indianapolis moved downfield but had to settle for a 38 yard Field Goal from Matt Gay. The Raiders trailed by a touchdown desperate for some offense. Las Vegas didn’t put out much in the way of offense in their next possession and this game went into the fourth quarter with Indianapolis hanging onto a 17-10 lead.
With 7:34 left in the game, the Colts added to their score when Gay kicked a 33 yard Field Goal. Trailing by the score of 20-10, the Raiders were running out of time. Desperate for a touchdown, the Raiders had to settle for a Daniel Carlson 33 yard Field goal and with the score 20-13 it would be up to the defense to give Las Vegas a chance in this game.
The clock became a factor with 3:46 left in the game. The Colts attempted a 50 yard Field Goal which failed but the Raiders were offsides giving Indianapolis a second shot at three points.
Gay connected a 45 yard attempt which was good and that all but sealed the win for the Colts. With 43 seconds left on the clock, Davante Adams caught his second touchdown of the day but it was too little too late for the Raiders. The final was 23-20 in favor of Indianapolis.
Hopes for a Raider playoff berth were possible, but a long shot. The Indianapolis Colts put an end to any possibility with their 23-20 win Sunday over Las Vegas. O’Connell finished with two touchdowns and 299 passing yards for the Raiders.
Adams had a great day with 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns and rushing yard honors went to Zamir White with 71 yards. The Raiders had better stats passing and receiving but needed more defensive effort. Neither team had any turnovers.
Minshew finished with 224 passing yards and one touchdown for the Colts. Taylor had 96 rushing yards and Alec Pierce finished with 58 receiving yards for Indianapolis.
Post game notes: The Raiders came into Indianapolis on a high after pulling off a Christmas miracle in Kansas City beating the Chiefs 20-14 on Christmas day. They got a spectacular effort from their defense which accounted for 14 points in the game. They celebrated with victory cigars after that game and had to leave those cigar boxes alone after Sunday’s narrow loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colt’s kicker Gay hit a 45 yard field goal which was to be the game winner with 3:11 left in the game.
The Las Vegas Raiders will finish off their season next Sunday as they take on the Denver Broncos in a game that means little to either team. The Raiders will finish their season at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff for that game is TBD.