Michael Mayer Slays Jets with Late-Game Miracle in Divisional Thriller

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The New York Jets are heading home early once again, stunned in front of their home crowd by a never-say-die Las Vegas Raiders team, 34-30, in a wild AFC Divisional Round showdown that ended in pure heartbreak for Gang Green — and pure Halloween horror for Jets defenders, courtesy of one Michael Mayer.

Raiders rip it away in final seconds

Trailing 30-27 with just 1:31 left and no momentum, the Raiders needed a miracle. What they got was a series of perfectly executed plays and one massive coaching blunder on the Jets’ side. After Charvarius Ward picked off Trent Carney on a tipped pass, the Jets had the ball, the lead, and the Raiders down to just two timeouts.

But instead of running out the clock, the Jets passed the ball twice — one for a short gain and one incompletion — effectively saving Las Vegas a timeout and stopping the clock at 1:26. “That was just baffling,” said Raiders DE Maxx Crosby. “They handed us time on a silver platter.”

That extra time made all the difference. After a clutch 32-yard dart to Tre Tucker put the Raiders in striking distance, Carney dropped back on 2nd and 10 from the 18 and uncorked a prayer into the end zone with 15 seconds left in the game and somehow, tight end Michael Mayer elevated through triple coverage and came down with the game-winning score — a catch so ridiculous it immediately drew comparisons to another namesake. “Michael Myers?” Mayer laughed postgame. “Call me Michael Murder — ‘Cause I just killed their season!”

Jets stumble in the clutch — again

This loss will sting for a long time in New York. Not only did they blow a late lead, but they also squandered one of Joshua Booth’s best games as a pro. Booth was brilliant, throwing for 371 yards and four touchdowns on 71.4% passing. “I did everything I could,” Booth said, visibly emotional. “We had it. That’s what hurts.”

Adding to the pain was the loss of Breece Hall, who went down with a dislocated hip late in the second quarter. Hall’s absence dramatically altered the Jets’ offensive balance, forcing them into a heavier reliance on Booth’s arm. “Losing Breece changed everything,” the head coach said postgame. “We had to scrap a big part of our game plan on the fly.”

The team will also be haunted by Jacob Dugan’s missed extra point following George Pickens’ fourth-quarter touchdown. That kick would’ve tied the game at 31 had the Raiders been held to a field goal. Instead, it left the door open, and the Raiders stormed right through it.

Carney delivers under pressure

Trent Carney was electric, completing 28 of 38 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns. Despite throwing a costly interception late, he never blinked. “After that pick, I told the guys — we’re not done,” Carney said. “And when I saw Mayer go up like that? I knew.”

Mayer finished with two touchdowns on just three catches. “That’s what I do,” he said. “Big moment. Big catch. Big win.”

The turning point

With the Jets up 30-27, they forced a turnover and had a chance to run out the clock. On 1st down, Israel Abanikanda got the call. Timeout Raiders. Then came the decision that will dominate talk shows for days: two straight pass plays, one complete, one incomplete.

The Raiders, with one timeout left, stopped the clock after Tre Tucker’s 32-yard reception. That stop, made possible by the Jets’ clock mismanagement, gave them the chance for the game-winner.

“We played not to lose,” said Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. “And in this league, that’ll kill you.”

Up Next

The Raiders are off to the AFC Championship game, where they’ll face the winner of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Houston Texans matchup. And if tonight was any indication, they’re bringing all the chaos with them.