Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (84) is hauled down by Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp, right, during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday Night Football Dec 8, 2022 (AP News photo)
Rams Steal Game From Raiders In Final Seconds 17-16
By Barbara Mason
On Thursday Night Football the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) took on the Los Angeles Rams (4-9) on National television at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It went right down to the wire and the Raiders had their three game win streak broken in the last ten seconds of the contest losing to the Rams 17-16.
The Rams have struggled mightily the entire season while the Raiders have been on fire winning their last three games. Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams have been the mainstays for Las Vegas.
The Raiders first possession in the opening quarter culminated in a one yard rush from Josh Jacobs. The extra point was good and Las Vegas took an early 7-0 lead. The Rams went three and out giving the Raiders the opportunity to extend their lead which they wasted no time in doing so. Daniel Carlson made a 52 yard field goal and Las Vegas took a 10-0 lead.
Just last Monday quarterback Baker Mayfield was released from the Panthers and was snatched up by the Rams. His first play of the game, their second possession, was a long pass into Raider territory after one day of practice. He actually delved into the Ram playbook on his flight into Los Angeles. The Rams didn’t find the end zone and had to settle for a Matt Gay 55 yard. field goal trailing 10-3 going into the second quarter.
The Raiders would tack on a second field goal in their third possession. Carlson would kick a 31 yard field goal giving Las Vegas a 13-3 lead. The Rams went on an amazing drive that was squelched by a Los Angeles fumble recovered by the Raiders and Las Vegas was back in business.
Las Vegas drove into Ram territory with less then three minutes left in the half. When another Las Vegas score seemed imminent, the Rams intercepted the ball in the end zone. The score at the half was 13-3 in favor of the Raiders.
Mayfield had a decent first half considering all that has led up to his playing in this game. What he has been through since last Monday made this a one of kind commendable performance. The Raiders leveled the amazing field with some great catches by Adams, one for 35 yards and a second for 32 yards. Jacobs finished the half with 58 rushing yards and Adams had 71 receiving yards.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. The Raiders were delivered a devastating blow in the quarter when Jacobs left the game with a right hand injury. He headed into the locker room for x-rays.
The Raiders opened the fourth quarter with a 32 yard Carlson field goal. Las Vegas now led 16-3. With 3:19 left in the game the Rams scored their first touchdown of the game but still trailing 16-10. Cam Akers rushed for a one yard carry and the extra point was good. Los Angeles would need a stop and the Raiders were looking for a couple of first downs to put this game away.
The Raiders went three and out and the Rams had 1:45 left on the clock to drive the length of the field. Las Vegas punted to the Los Angeles two yard line. With ten seconds left on the clock Mayfield connected with Van Jefferson for 23 yards and the touchdown. The extra point was good and the Rams had stolen this game from the Raiders.
Derek Carr finished the game with 137 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Jacobs had 99 rushing yards and 15 receiving. Despite the hand injury Jacobs was back on the field in the fourth quarter .Adams had 71 rushing yards all in the first half. Las Vegas had a very disappointing second half.
When it seemed that the Raiders may have this game in hand Mayfield came up with an amazing 98 yard drive scoring with ten seconds left on the clock. His performance was nothing short of amazing in the second half and you have to give hime all the credit in the world.
This was a devastating loss for the Raiders and it breaks their three game winning streak and blows any playoff hopes out of the water. They will next take on the New England Patriots in Week 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 at Allegiant Stadium.










