Raiders snap losing streak, hand Jaguars first loss in a month

LAS VEGAS, NV - The bye week came at the perfect time for Max Farias and the Las Vegas Raiders. After dropping three straight games, the Raiders returned home refreshed and refocused, knocking off the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-15, to snap their skid and climb to 3-5 on the season. Meanwhile, the Jaguars' four-game win streak came to a halt, falling to 4-4 under head coach Liam Coen.

Raiders start fast, finish stronger

The Raiders wasted no time setting the tone. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty powered in a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Las Vegas an early 7-0 lead. After Jacksonville answered with a long Cam Little 53-yard field goal, the Raiders responded late in the second with an 11-yard strike from Jalen Milroe to tight end Brock Bowers. That score capped a balanced first half where Farias' squad mixed in timely runs and quick passes to lead 14-6 at the break.

"We talked all week about execution," said Farias after the game. "The guys came out, played smart football, and finished drives. That's Raider football."

Jacksonville's momentum stalls

Coming in on a three-game win streak, the Jaguars had been one of the AFC's hottest teams. But their offense never fully clicked against a disciplined Raiders defense. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 21 of 30 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown to Tim Patrick, but an interception and a pair of red-zone stalls proved costly.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr. was effective, tallying 85 yards on 13 carries, yet Jacksonville's drives repeatedly fizzled once they crossed midfield. "We just couldn't sustain," said Coen. "Too many third-and-longs, and we didn't finish possessions the way we needed to."

Milroe and Smith share the spotlight

Coach Farias rotated both quarterbacks, and it paid off. Milroe completed 16 of 20 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, while veteran Geno Smith came off the bench to go 5-of-6 for 67 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown strike to Dont'e Thornton Jr. in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Jeanty led the backfield with 89 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Raheem Mostert added another short score in the closing seconds.

On defense, linebacker Germaine Pratt and safety Jeremy Chinn combined for eight tackles, and edge rusher Maxx Crosby notched a key sack to stall a third-quarter drive.

Up next

The Raiders (3-5) will try to keep their momentum rolling when they travel to Colorado to face the division-rival Denver Broncos in Week 10. Meanwhile, the Jaguars (4-4) go on the road to take on the Houston Texans in Week 10.