Raiders Hold Off Packers, 17-13

LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders cut it close, but they snapped their three-game losing streak.

Cornerback Amik Robertson intercepted quarterback Jordan Love’s pass intended for wide receiver Christian Watson in the end zone with 44 seconds left in the game. The Silver and Black held on for a 17-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Monday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

"This was a big win, although we have to keep it going, but this was a good start," defensive end Maxx Crosby said. "It wasn't pretty, but we found a way and we have to get another one next week."

The Raiders (2-3) claimed their first victory since beating the Denver Broncos in the season's opening game and ended an eight-game losing streak against the Packers, but still trail the all-time series, 9-6.

All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing last season, again struggled somewhat, but he broke off a 24-yard run on the first play of a 75-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter and scored the winning touchdown from two yards for the final points to cap that drive on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Raiders led at halftime for the first time this season, 10-3, as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in the second quarter and Daniel Carlson added a 26-yard field goal.

Carlson uncharacteristically missed two field goal attempts, although 6-foot-7 tackle Yosh Nijman partially blocked his 53-yard effort in the second quarter, and his 52-yarder with 1:56 remaining in the game hit the right upright and bounced away to give the Packers (2-3) a chance to win the game with a touchdown.

But Robertson and the Raiders’ defense had other ideas.

“One of the best interceptions I’ve ever seen in my life,” Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane said of Robertson’s pick. “Fifty yards down the field, to be able to contort his body, high point the football and end the game like that, what an outstanding play by a player who’s been gnawing at the bit to get on the field.”

Said Robertson: “I played wide receiver in high school.“I’m an offensive player playing on defense.”

Rookie Anders Carlson, Daniel’s younger brother, kicked a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 22-yarder with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter to give the Packers a 13-10 lead, which the Raiders erased with Jacobs’ touchdown on the next series.

The Carlsons became the first brothers to kick against each other in an NFL game since 1987, when Chris Bahr of the Raiders went against Matt Bahr of the Cleveland Browns.

Garoppolo, who missed last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., because he was in concussion protocol, completed 22-of-31 passes for 208 yards, with one touchdown and an interception.

That pick came on the first drive of the second half, allowing the Pack to drive only 37 yards to a five-yard run scoring by running back AJ Dillon to tie the score, 10-10.

In addition, Garoppolo was sacked three times after Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell went down seven times last week against the Chargers, including six by former Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack.

Meyers caught seven passes from Garoppolo for 75 yards and the touchdown, Jacobs made five catches for 20 yards, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams made four receptions for 45 yards, and rookie tight end Michael Mayer had two for 39 yards.

Jacobs still didn’t run like last season, but he had his highest rushing total this season of 69 yards in 20 carries, including that big 24-yarder and the touchdown, as the Raiders had their highest total of rushing this season with 96 yards.

Linebacker Divine Deablo again led the Raiders with 10 tackles, one for a loss, while Spillane made nine stops, had two passes defensed and two interceptions after the Silver and Black had only one pick in the first four games.

Crosby had five tackles, four for losses, one quarterback hit and sack, safety Tre’Von Moehrig also had five tackles, one quarterback hit and a sack and cornerback Marcus Peters made five tackles, with one pass defensed, and he deflected a pass to Spillane for an interception.

Love, in his first season as the Packers’ starter after they traded future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets during the offseason, completed 16-of-30 passes for 182 yards without a touchdown, threw three interceptions and was sacked twice.

Watson made three receptions for 91 yards, including a 77-yarder that set up a field goal, and rookie tight end Luke Musgrave had six catches for 34 yards.

Dillon led the Packers with 76 yards rushing on 20 carries and the touchdown, while Love ran twice for 37 yards.

Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie led the Packers with 10 tackles, safety Rudy Ford added nine tackles and Green Bay’s only interception, linebacker Eric Wilson made eight stops, and former Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon had six tackles.

Despite all of that, it came all to Roberston at the end.

“Our guys deserve a lot of credit for hanging in there and grinding it out,” Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels said. “It was that kind of game the entire four quarters. Nothing was easy.”

The Raiders will return home next Sunday to play the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium before going back on the road for two more games against NFC North teams.

The Silver and Black will take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Soldier Field in Chicago, before meeting the Detroit Lions in another Monday Night Football Game on Oct. 30 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Then the Raiders will return to Allegiant Field for two straight home games on Weeks 9 and 10, facing the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 5, and playing the New York Jets on Nov. 12 for a Sunday night game.

The Silver and Black will stay home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next week to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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