It appeared that the Las Vegas Raiders may have their (slim) playoff hopes end with another double-digit collapse on Sunday against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Staidum. But after blowing a 17-3 lead and then falling behind 24-17, the Raiders tied the game 24-24 with 32 seconds remaining (with a questionable touchdown ruling in their favor).
And what followed on the New England possession was one of the craziest NFL — heck, sports — plays you’ll ever see.
The Patriots had 3rd-and-10 at their own 45-yard line in the final seconds, when quarterback Mac Jones handed off to running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
With no time remaining on the clock, Stevenson lateraled the ball to teammate Jakobi Meyers inside the Raiders‘ 35-yard line. Meyers than circled back to inside the Raiders’ 40-yard line, near the sideline, and threw a lateral to midfield.
Well, the Meyers lateral was picked off by Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (a former Patriot), and Jones proceeded to stiff-arm Mac Jones before taking the ball to the house for an unbelievable walk-off Las Vegas touchdown.
RAIDERS WIN ON THE CRAZIEST NFL ENDING YOU’LL EVER SEE! pic.twitter.com/HrYH06WIsr
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 19, 2022
Absolutely incredible.
It’s a massive brain fart — and gift to the Raiders — from Meyers on the play; his lateral/pass was nowhere close to a Patriots player. If the Patriots were trailing and needed to score, the desperation would’ve been understandable. But the game was going to overtime if Meyers just goes down.
The Raiders improve to 6-8 with the incredible win, while the Patriots fall to 7-7 with the maddening loss.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.