BALTIMORE — Davante Adams delivered a spectacular performance, catching nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. The hero of the night, Daniel Carlson, nailed a clutch 38-yard field goal with just 27 seconds left, as the Las Vegas Raiders staged a dramatic rally to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 26-23 on Sunday.
The Ravens find themselves in an unfamiliar territory, starting the season 0-2 for the first time since 2015. They were previously humbled by a 27-20 defeat at the hands of the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL opener on Sept. 5.
Las Vegas (1-1) maintained their focus on Derrick Henry, who managed to break through their defensive line for an impressive 29-yard gain on the first possession of the third quarter. This crucial play set the stage for an 8-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to the electrifying rookie, Zay Flowers, propelling the Ravens (1-1) to a 16-6 lead.
Henry wrapped up the game with 84 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, showcasing his usual dominant form.
Jackson was sharp, completing 21 of 34 passes for 247 yards, alongside one touchdown and one interception.
The Raiders seized their opportunity when Robert Spillane intercepted Jackson at the Baltimore 46-yard line, with Las Vegas trailing 16-6 midway through the third quarter. Alexander Mattison punctuated the Raiders’ ensuing seven-play drive with a determined 1-yard plunge, narrowing the deficit late in the third quarter.
Despite a meager 27 yards on 17 carries Sunday, the Raiders kept pushing forward.
Henry answered back for the Ravens with a three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, providing Baltimore with some breathing room at 23-13.
However, the game took a dramatic turn when the Ravens’ next offensive drive fell short, and a poor punt, compounded by a penalty, handed the Raiders prime field position at the Baltimore 43-yard line with 2:21 remaining. Gardner Minshew then orchestrated a strategic drive, covering 23 yards in six plays, setting the stage for Carlson’s decisive kick.
Minshew’s precision was on display as he completed 30 of 38 passes for 276 yards, featuring one touchdown and one interception. Though he was sacked five times, his resilience shone through.
Defensive standout Maxx Crosby was relentless, recording two sacks and four tackles for loss, underscoring the Raiders’ defensive effort.
In an unusual and concerning moment, the game was briefly delayed by about 10 minutes in the second quarter due to a medical emergency involving a member of the NFL operations team. Fortunately, the staffer was “alert and responsive” as they were transported to a local hospital, according to the Ravens.
Baltimore outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy courageously played despite suffering a fractured orbital bone just 10 days ago against Kansas City, making his presence felt with two tackles.
Both teams grappled with offensive struggles in the first half, relying heavily on their kickers. Carlson and Justin Tucker combined for five field goals, with the Ravens holding a slim 9-6 lead at halftime.
The Raiders managed just 43 yards with four first downs in the first half, highlighting the defensive battle.
–Todd Karpovich, Field-Level Media
