Raiders Edge Lions in Hard-Fought Opener

DETROIT, MI — The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off their season with a thrilling 24-21 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Behind the leadership of head coach Max Farias, the Raiders capitalized on key moments and defensive resilience to overcome last season’s 8-8-1 disappointment. Meanwhile, the Lions, fresh off a 10-7 campaign and a playoff berth, found themselves on the losing side of a nail-biter to begin their season.

Game Recap

The game started with fireworks as Raiders linebacker Maxx Crosby returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. “I saw the ball pop out and knew I had to make a play,” Crosby said. “Momentum like that can set the tone.” The Lions responded in the second quarter with quarterback Jared Goff connecting with veteran receiver Amari Cooper on a 1-yard touchdown pass. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs added to Detroit’s momentum with a powerful 3-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 14-7 lead.

As the first half came to a close, rookie quarterback Trent Carney showed why the Raiders made him their first-round pick, delivering a 39-yard strike to tight end Brock Bowers. “That was a moment we’ve been waiting for,” said Raiders head coach Max Farias. “Trent stepped up and delivered when we needed him.”

In the fourth quarter, Carney continued to impress, finding Jakobi Meyers for a 28-yard touchdown. “It’s just about trusting my guys,” Carney said. “Jakobi ran a great route, and I put it where he could make a play.” The Lions clawed back with a 1-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery, but the Raiders sealed the win with a 25-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson.

Key Stats

For the Raiders, rookie quarterback Trent Carney finished with 225 passing yards, completing 14 of 28 passes with two touchdowns. Tight end Brock Bowers led the team with six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Jakobi Meyers added 62 yards and a score on three catches. Running back Imani Younger carried the ball 21 times for 83 yards.

For Detroit, quarterback Jared Goff threw for 216 yards and one touchdown, completing 23 of 38 passes. Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown led the way with seven receptions for 72 yards, while tight end Sam LaPorta added 63 yards on seven catches.

Defensively, Maxx Crosby recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and scored a touchdown for the Raiders. On the Lions’ side, linebacker Alex Anzalone deflected a pass and added a key tackle.

Injuries

No injuries were reported for either team.

Up Next

The Raiders (1-0) return home next week to face their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, in what promises to be an exciting divisional clash. The Lions (0-1) will remain at Ford Field as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers in a critical NFC North matchup.

Coach Max Farias summed up the win perfectly: “We’re a team that fights for every inch, and tonight was proof of that.” Lions quarterback Jared Goff was more reflective: “We made some plays, but we didn’t make enough. It’s a long season, and we’ll learn from this.”