Raiders | KLAS https://www.8newsnow.com LIVE. LOCAL. NOW. Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:05:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.3 https://www.8newsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2022/03/cropped-APP-Logo-Android-512x512-003-2.png?w=32 Raiders | KLAS https://www.8newsnow.com 32 32 162794638 Stidham in familiar situation in return to Las Vegas when the Broncos play the Raiders https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/lasvegas-raiders/stidham-in-familiar-situation-in-return-to-las-vegas-when-the-broncos-play-the-raiders/ Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:05:47 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1711914 LAS VEGAS (AP) — A benching of a high-profile quarterback with two games left?

Yeah, Jarrett Stidham has been here before.

A year ago, he stepped in for Derek Carr as the Las Vegas Raiders concluded their season. This season, he's doing it in place of Russell Wilson at the tail end of the Denver Broncos' season.

Now past meets present Sunday as Stidham returns to Las Vegas and the Broncos (8-8) to play the Raiders (7-9) in the season finale for both teams.

“I spent a year there and made a lot of relationships with a lot people,” Stidham said. “But I'm here now, so I'm looking forward to playing against those guys. I did it in practice, obviously, all last year.”

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) looks to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Stidham went 0-2 in both his Las Vegas starts, but gave the San Francisco 49ers fits with 365 yards and three touchdown passes in a 37-34 loss.

“I think for him that first start against a really good defense opened a lot of people’s eyes,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "I don’t know that anyone saw that coming.”

Stidham's other start last season was a 31-13 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Stidham finally broke through Sunday with his first career victory, 16-9 over the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I went against Stid all year last year on the scout (team), so I know a couple of his tricks,” Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs said. “I think he's a really good player. What he did last year against the 49ers and what he showed this year when he got his chance, he takes full advantage of every chance he gets to step on the field.”

SLUMP BUSTERS

The Broncos may have extended their playoff drought to eight years, but they ended some embarrassing skids within the AFC West.

Denver vanquished its 16-game losing skid to the Chiefs with a resounding Week 8 win over the Chiefs in Denver and beat the Chargers on the road for the first time since 2019. Now, they’re out to halt their seven-game losing streak to the Raiders with their first win in Las Vegas in four tries.

“I don’t even know that I was aware that we had lost that many games to Las Vegas/Oakland,” Payton said. “I think what would be important for us is to get to our ninth win.”

That would snap another ignominious streak for the Broncos, who haven’t posted a winning season since 2016.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a touchdown catch past Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

ANOTHER GRAND FOR ADAMS

Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has reached 1,000 yards receiving each of the past four seasons. But with Las Vegas out of the running for the playoffs, Adams didn't want to make too big a deal about it.

“If we were in a better position as a team, it’d be more enjoyable, but obviously it’s a good notch to be able to hit,” he said. "But 1,000 yards is not really my mark for what I consider necessarily a good season. Obviously, it’s good because in everybody else’s mind it means so much, but I also had two seasons of 997 and they acted like I didn’t have 1,000 yards that year.”

Adams came three yards about from 1,000 in 2016 and 2019. If he had reached it in 2019, his streak would be at six seasons.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

CROSBY HONORED BY TEAMMATES

Defensive end Maxx Crosby won the Commitment to Excellence Award for the third year in a row, a Raiders team honor voted on by teammates.

Crosby has 13 1/2 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 88 tackles, but perhaps more impressively, he seldom comes off the field even while playing with a lingering knee injury. He has played 95% of defensive snaps and in nine games didn't leave field while on defense.

“I can't speak highly enough of this guy,” Stidham said. “Being with him every day for a year, seeing how he works, I don't know if I've ever seen a player play that hard for that long every single time he's out on the field. So he's going to bring it. We have to be ready. He's one of the best in the league for a reason.”

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II received the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award, which was voted on by the Denver chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

MUSICAL CHAIRS AT QB

Left tackle Garett Bolles is the longest-tenured offensive player in Denver and he came close this week but couldn’t quite name all 13 quarterbacks for whom he has blocked for during his seven seasons.

He slipped on the very last one, saying Case Keenum again instead of Stidham.

“You know, it’s a tough situation, that things happen around here. I think it was my 13th quarterback that I blocked for,” Bolles said. “So, it’s frustrating for me, especially. But at the same time, that’s who Coach wanted, and I’ve gotta do my job.”

AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed.

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1711914 2024-01-05T19:05:48+00:00
Josh Jacobs a game-day decision for Raiders when they play the Colts https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/lasvegas-raiders/josh-jacobs-a-game-day-decision-for-raiders-when-they-play-the-colts/ Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:05:37 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1706631 HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will be a game-day decision when Las Vegas visits the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Jacobs has missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury.

“Today? I don’t know," interim coach Antonio Pierce said Friday. "That’s going to be a game-time decision. I mean, no need to rush it. If he can go at one o’clock on Sunday, I’m happy with that.”

Jacobs has rushed for 805 yards, with 3.5 yards per carry, and six touchdowns this season. Zamir White started in his place the past two games and rushed for 214 yards with a 5.5-yard average.

“I think he’s taking advantage of the opportunity and that’s the National Football League,” Pierce said. “I think he’s earned the trust, the belief with our offensive staff and our o-line.”

Pierce said he didn't expect tight end Michael Mayer, who didn't play Sunday at Kansas City because of a toe injury, to be available. The Raiders this week placed tight end Jesper Horsted (hamstring) on injured reserve and signed TE Zach Gentry to the active roster off Cincinnati’s practice squad.

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1706631 2023-12-30T00:05:39+00:00
Raiders, Colts in familiar scenario with 2 games left and a high-stakes AFC game on tap https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/lasvegas-raiders/raiders-colts-in-familiar-scenario-with-2-games-left-and-a-high-stakes-afc-game-on-tap/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 23:29:09 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1705807 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jonathan Taylor still laments the lessons learned during Las Vegas' last trip to Indianapolis in 2021.

He played well in that Week 17 contest, rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown, but the Colts failed to clinch a playoff spot on their home field and a week later they were homeward bound for the offseason. The Raiders used that surprise last-second victory to steal a playoff spot.

So this week, facing an eerily similar situation, the 2021 NFL rushing champion finds himself giving teammates a short, simple reminder: Take care of business Sunday.

“It does (help) because you failed in a sense, so you had the opportunity to learn and especially, with the younger guys, you're able to teach them or give them a little bit of knowledge that you have from your experience,” Taylor said. "Hopefully, they can take that into consideration, thought, and really put forth the effort, knowing we need to be all gas on the pedal this week.”

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) heads toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

Indy (8-7) again enters the game against the Raiders largely in control of its destiny.

Win these last two home games, the Colts will likely clinch their first playoff berth since 2020 and, with a little more help, could leapfrog defending AFC South champ Jacksonville to capture their first division crown since 2014.

While another late-season loss on their home turf may not eliminate Indy, it would throw a major wrench into the Colts' postseason hopes. But the bigger concern is rebounding from a second underwhelming performance in three weeks.

“When you go through adversity, when you kind of hit a wall, you feel like you’re a little stuck — that’s the time to get back to the basics, get back to what you believe in, get back to what makes you, you,” Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said.

The Raiders (7-8) sit one game behind the AFC's five-team pack bunched at 8-7 and must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They'll arrive with an interim coach in Antonio Pierce, a rookie quarterback in Aidan O'Connell and a two-game winning streak.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell yells on the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Yes, the critics wrote off Las Vegas following the midseason coaching change and again after a 3-0 loss to Minnesota just three weeks ago.

But, like that 2021 Raiders squad, this team has been resilient, giving them hope they'll pull off another surprise.

“Nope, Colts,” Pierce said when asked if he's using the playoffs to motivate his team. “That’s how we’ve been focusing, what’s in front of us. I can’t control 2024, and that’s in 2024. I’m in 2023 right now.”

Even if this weekend's matchup rekindles some nightmarish moments for the Colts and their fans.

“Thankfully, we earned the right to be in the position to earn a place in the postseason,” Taylor said. "But we’ve got to make the most of that opportunity. We’ve got to take care of business this Sunday.”

Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce speaks during a news conference following of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Raiders won 20-14. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

STATING HIS CASE

Pierce won his first two games as coach, his last two and still has two more to show owner Mark Davis he should keep the job next season.

“My resume is on the grass,” Pierce said.

Pierce replaced Josh McDaniels on Halloween when Las Vegas was 3-5. This marks the second straight year this series has featured an interim coach. Jeff Saturday won his only game with Indy last season in Las Vegas, and Pierce hopes to return the favor.

“Hopefully, Mark Davis sees improvement and growth within our team,” Pierce said. “He sees the style and play that he wants from the Raiders. He sees a fan base that’s behind us. He sees a building that loves coming to work and loves being here. At the end of the day, we’ve got to win.”

HOME SWEET HOME

Indy has won its last two home games, improving to 3-4 at Lucas Oil Stadium this season. Closing with two more wins wouldn't just extend their streak to four in a row, it would give Indy a winning record on its home turf.

That would be impressive after the Colts went nearly a full year between home wins — a streak that began after a victory on Oct. 16, 2022, over Jacksonville and ended with a win over Tennessee on Oct. 8.

But this series, between franchises now relocated from their original hometowns, has not followed the traditional NFL script. The road team has won five straight since the Raiders won in Oakland in 2016.

SOMETHING TO PROVE

Last week, the Raiders won 20-14 in Kansas City while becoming the first team since 2000 to win without a completion after the first quarter. O’Connell finished 9 of 21 with 62 yards.

“Obviously, I didn’t have my best game,” O'Connell said. “We didn’t do much offensively in the pass game, and like I said after the game, I missed some opportunities that were there."

O'Connell's last start at Lucas Oil Stadium didn't go well, either. Michigan beat O'Connell's Purdue Boilermakers in the 2022 Big Ten championship game.

Pierce said O’Connell doesn’t get easily rattled by negative performances.

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1705807 2023-12-28T23:29:10+00:00
Running back Zamir White makes strong impact for Raiders with Josh Jacobs out https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/lasvegas-raiders/running-back-zamir-white-makes-strong-impact-for-raiders-with-josh-jacobs-out/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 23:10:02 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1705798 HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Zamir White was nowhere to be found Wednesday, but his impact in Monday's 20-14 victory at Kansas City was evident by the green Nickelodeon slime hat sitting in his locker at the Raiders' facility.

White received, uh, the honor after rushing for 145 yards against the Chiefs, signifying him as the player of the game according to the children's network, which had an alternate telecast of the game.

This kind of impact didn't seem possible as recently as two weeks ago when White mostly watched from the sideline as Josh Jacobs carried the load. But Jacobs suffered a quadriceps injury on Dec. 10 against Minnesota, and White went from a seldom-used running back whose future in Las Vegas was questionable to someone the Raiders might want to keep in the lineup if and when Jacobs returns.

“If you’re a good player and you’re producing and helping us win, you win,” interim coach Antonio Pierce said. “But don’t get it fooled, Josh Jacobs is one of the best running backs in the National Football League. If we have somebody who can help us out and contribute, it’s going to be right in that room, and Zeus (White) knows that.”

Pierce expressed optimism Jacobs wasn't far from returning, but the back didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough in preparation for Sunday's game at Indianapolis. Before two weeks ago, the absence of last season's NFL rushing champion would have been cause for major concern.

Part of that is because the Raiders' coaches, be it Josh McDaniels before he was fired on Oct. 31 or Pierce, were reluctant to play White as long as Jacobs was available.

That was the case even though Jacobs hadn't been playing up to his prior level. He has 805 yards and a 3.5-per-carry average this year; Jacobs rushed for 1,653 yards with a 4.9 average last season.

White had only 17 carries last season and had just 20 this year before Jacobs' injury. Given Jacobs' cloudy future with the Raiders — he sat out training camp over a contract dispute — and White's lack of touches, it seemed like the Raiders would need to find a new back in the draft or free agency next year.

But after White rushed for 214 yards on a 5.5 average the past two games, he made a compelling argument with his performance that maybe he is Las Vegas' back of the future. That's a decision that will come in the offseason.

For now, White gives the Raiders a back they can rely on similar to Jacobs.

“He’s a great running back,” Buffalo Bills running back James Cook said. “Obviously, (we) played together at Georgia. Once he got to get his opportunity, you could see him do it, making explosive plays and good things out of the backfield. It’s how he was at Georgia.”

White's most impressive work came on the final drive at Kansas City.

The Chiefs had just scored a touchdown to pull within six points with 2:42 left, setting up the familiar scene of another Patrick Mahomes comeback victory. If, that is, the Chiefs could get the ball back.

Kansas City had two timeouts and the two-minute warning, and Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell hadn't completed a pass after the first quarter. Not exactly a mystery what Las Vegas would try to do.

White, behind strong blocking from the offensive line and fullback Jakob Johnson, rushed for 6, 43 and 15 yards.

Game over.

“When I know that you know that they know and everybody knows what we’re about to do and we still do it, that’s our football,” Pierce said.

White knows his opportunities will come if he keeps performing the way he has the past two weeks, but the NFL also is a fickle league.

That isn't news to him, so just as White didn't make too much of being a backup, he is keeping his present circumstances in perspective as well.

“Every day, I go my hardest,” White said. “I practice like I'm part of every game.”

ROSTER MOVES

Injuries have hit the Raiders hard at tight end, so they signed Zach Gentry to the active roster off Cincinnati's practice squad. Michael Mayer (toe) didn't play at Kansas City and didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough. Las Vegas also placed Jesper Horsted (hamstring) on injured reserve.

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1705798 2023-12-28T23:10:04+00:00
Raiders stun sloppy Chiefs with 2 defensive TDs in 20-14 victory on Christmas Day https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-raiders-stun-sloppy-chiefs-with-2-defensive-tds-in-20-14-victory-on-christmas-day/ Mon, 25 Dec 2023 22:22:10 +0000 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of the victory cigars wafted down the tunnel beneath Arrowhead Stadium, straight from the Las Vegas Raiders in the celebratory visiting locker room to the despondent home locker room of the Kansas City Chiefs.

For one, the scent of success. For the other, the stench of a sloppy mess.

Taking advantage of two defensive touchdowns for the second straight week, and riding an aggressive mindset that shut down Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City offense, the Raiders held off the Chiefs 20-14 on Monday to not only deny their longtime AFC West rival another division crown but keep their postseason hopes alive.

“That was one of our mantras," Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce said afterward, “by any means necessary."

That meant big defensive tackle Bilal Nichols returning a fumble 8 yards for a touchdown, and Jack Jones taking an interception 33 yards for another score 7 seconds later. It meant Aidan O'Connell never completing a pass after the first quarter, yet also never making the same mistakes that Mahomes made for Kansas City on a soggy Christmas Day.

The Raiders (7-8) became the first NFL team since 2000 to win without completing a pass after the first quarter, and only the fifth team to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium without scoring an offensive touchdown.

“Obviously this was a huge game. It's a rivalry game,” O'Connell said. “We play them twice a year, every year, so to come into Arrowhead Stadium and win a game like this, it's pretty awesome. It's pretty special for our guys.”

Kansas City (9-6) hardly helped its cause: Along with allowing the two defensive TDs, Harrison Butker missed a chip-shot field goal, penalties and dropped passes were again a problem, and twice they failed to convert on fourth down in the second half.

“They played a better game than we did today,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team has lost three of four. “On offense we struggled. That’s my responsibility to make sure we put the guys in the right position to make plays, and that didn’t happen the way we wanted it to. I take full responsibility for the way we played offensively there."

The Chiefs still had a chance in the closing minutes Monday to clinch their eighth straight AFC West title and keep their hopes alive for the No. 1 seed.

But after Mahomes hit Justin Watson for a touchdown with 2:42 to go, the Raiders' Zamir White broke loose for a 43-yard gain, picking up a first down that allowed them to run out the clock.

Mahomes finished 27 of 44 for 235 yards and the interception; he nearly threw a second but it was overturned upon review.

The Raiders, playing without injured running back Josh Jacobs, won despite a dismal day from their offense. White ran for 145 yards, but much of that came on the final possession. O'Connell was just 9 of 21 for 62 yards, the Raiders were 0 for 3 in the red zone and 3 for 12 on third down, and they had seven fewer first downs than Kansas City.

All that mattered was the score, though.

“That's why it's a team sport,” O'Connell said. “It was a team win.”

Reid had spent the past few weeks lamenting the mental mistakes that kept costing the defending Super Bowl champs, and they made more of them Monday than they had in any game this season.

They went three-and-out on consecutive series to start a game for only the second time with Mahomes at quarterback. They were held to minus-18 yards in the first quarter, the second-worst total for the club since at least 1991. And the reigning league MVP was sacked twice in those two series, while more offensive penalties only made matters worse.

The Chiefs took the lead early when Isiah Pacheco took a direct snap 12 yards for a touchdown, and Las Vegas gave the ball right back after a punt. But when Pacheco again took a direct snap and tried to hand to Mahomes, they bobbled the exchange and the 315-pound Nichols was there to scoop it up and run for the touchdown.

On the next offensive play for Kansas City, Mahomes was picked off by Jones, whose 33-yard return gave Las Vegas its fourth defensive TD in the past two weeks, along with a 17-7 lead over its longtime divisional nemesis.

Then, Jones appeared to play the Grinch when he faked giving the ball to a kid wearing Chiefs clothes in the crowd.

The defensive scores made it 17-7, and it was still that way when Butker missed his field goal before halftime. The Raiders added one in the third quarter, and that was all the scoring they needed to end a six-game skid against Kansas City.

STATS AND STREAKS

The Raiders have five defensive TDs this season, their most since 2005. ... The first quarter was the best by the Raiders defense since holding the Chargers to minus-21 yards on Dec. 1, 1991. ... Rashee Rice had six catches to reach 74 for the season, breaking the Chiefs rookie record of 70 set by Dwayne Bowe in 2007. ... Malcolm Koonce had three sacks for the Raiders.

INJURIES

Chiefs: Pacheco went into the concussion protocol in the third quarter when his helmet popped off and he was kicked in the head. ... RG Trey Smith hurt his leg in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

The Raiders visit Indianapolis on Sunday.

The Chiefs play Cincinnati on Sunday.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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1703710 2023-12-26T23:25:55+00:00
Four days after losing 3-0, Raiders set franchise scoring record, beat Chargers 63-21 https://www.8newsnow.com/news/four-days-after-losing-3-0-raiders-set-franchise-scoring-record-beat-chargers-63-21/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:53:40 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1696004 LAS VEGAS (AP) — Four days after losing 3-0, the Las Vegas Raiders scored 42 points by halftime, didn't let the Los Angeles Chargers cross midfield until the third quarter and rolled to a record-setting 63-21 victory on Thursday night.

The Raiders set a franchise scoring record, topping the team's 59-14 victory at Denver on Oct. 24, 2010. It was the most points allowed by the Chargers, who previously gave up 57 to the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 1, 2000.

The Raiders led 42-0 at halftime, just three points shy of the NFL record for halftime margin that was set in 2009 when New England led Tennessee 45-0. The 42-point margin has been matched two other times — by Green Bay over Chicago in 2014 and the Packers over Tampa Bay in 1983. Las Vegas also tied the franchise record for points in a half, set in 1969 against Buffalo.

The halftime deficit was the biggest in Chargers history. They trailed the Patriots 31-0 in 1997.

It was a stunning turnaround for the Raiders (6-8), who gave up only a field goal Sunday against Minnesota but still lost, amassing 202 yards. Las Vegas had 283 yards by halftime against the Chargers (5-9). The Raiders led 63-7 before two late touchdowns for LA.

Aidan O'Connell threw all four of his touchdown passes in the first half, and he finished with 248 yards passing. Davante Adams caught eight passes for 101 yards a TD, his first 100-yard game since Week 3 against Pittsburgh.

Las Vegas' defense scored second-half touchdowns on a fumble recovery and interception, the first time the Raiders scored two defensive TDs since 2006 against the Steelers.

Los Angeles quarterback Easton Stick, making his first start in place of the injured Justin Herbert, completed 23 of 32 passes for 257 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

The heat figures to be turned up on Chargers coach Brandon Staley after his team got blown out by a team that was on a three-game losing streak. Los Angeles has lost five of six games.

The Chargers were sloppy, turning the ball over three times in the first half. Each led to a Raiders touchdown.

"Just wasn't good enough," Staley said in a televised halftime interview. "That wasn't us out there."

Las Vegas comfortable enough to run three successive gadget plays at one point in the second quarter. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers completed a pass to Davante Adams, receiver Tre Tucker was given the ball on a running play and then Brandon Bolden scored on a 26-yard run out of the wildcat formation. It was his first touchdown since late in the 2021 season.

To open the second half, Meyers hooked up with Adams again, this time on a 3-yard touchdown pass for a 49-0 lead.

Los Angeles finally broke through on its next possession when Stick found Joshua Palmer for a 79-yard touchdown. That was the first time the Chargers made it past the 50.

INJURIES

Chargers: WR Keenan Allen (heel) did not play. LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (shoulder) went out in the second quarter, but returned. CB Essang Bassey left with a concussion and C/G Will Clapp with a knee injury.

Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs (quadriceps), LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) and C Andre James (ankle) did not play. LB Divine Deablo suffered an ankle injury.

UP NEXT

Chargers: Host Buffalo on Dec. 23.

Raiders: At AFC West rival Kansas City on Christmas Day.

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1696004 2023-12-15T04:54:06+00:00
Raiders' coach, GM and president are Black -- a first for the NFL. They embrace the responsibility https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/lasvegas-raiders/raiders-coach-gm-and-president-are-black-a-first-for-the-nfl-they-embrace-the-responsibility/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 18:38:05 +0000 https://www.8newsnow.com/?p=1694245 HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — When Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis fired coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler on Halloween night, he also made history by naming Antonio Pierce as the interim coach and Champ Kelly as the acting GM.

Those actions made the Raiders the first NFL team in which Black people occupied the three key leadership positions below owner — coach, GM and president. Team president Sandra Douglass Morgan is one of the few women in authority in the league.

“I don’t take it lightly,” Pierce said. “There are not many people from my background, grew up from where I grew up (Compton, California), to be in front of this stage, to have this kind of responsibility.”

Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce walks the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Pierce said he grew up a Raiders fan and pointed out the organization — whether it was based in Las Vegas, Oakland or Los Angeles — has a history of being a trailblazer. Kelly and Douglass Morgan noted that Hall of Fame owner Al Davis — Mark Davis' father — set the standard going back to 1989 when Art Shell became the NFL's first Black head coach in the Super Bowl era.

Tom Flores, who is Mexican American, became the first minority head coach to win a Super Bowl when he guided the Raiders to the championship in the 1980 season and then won a second one three years later. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame two years ago.

As far as the ultimate on-field leadership position, Kelly noted the Raiders became the first to draft a Black quarterback in the first round when they selected Eldridge Dickey in 1968.

FILE - Las Vegas Raiders interim general manager Champ Kelly speaks with reporters during a news conference, Nov. 1, 2023, in Henderson, Nev. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, FILE)

“The Raiders have long been a leader in diversity in professional sports, and the NFL would not be what it is today without Al Davis," Kelly said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Therefore, it is no surprise that the Raiders under Mark Davis are the first franchise with a Black head coach, president and general manager. Personally, I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this leadership group.”

The Raiders also were the first team to appoint a woman as president when Amy Trask was hired in 1997. Douglass Morgan was hired in July 2022, making her the first Black woman to hold that position in the NFL.

“I think there's additional responsibility (as a woman) any time you are not what the common person looks like who fills that role,” Douglass Morgan told The AP in an interview. “So I think there's definitely a responsibility making sure you're not the last. That's the goal, to not be the last whether it's being a woman of color or a woman itself. It's a challenge, but I have to focus on what the job is, and that's to be the best president of the Raiders.”

FILE - Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan looks on before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Pierce and Kelly have similar mandates.

Pierce has to figure out a way to get the Raiders (5-8) out of a three-game losing streak, beginning with Thursday night's home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Even if he gets the team moving in the right direction, he is far from guaranteed of getting the job on a full-time basis once Davis opens up the coaching search.

Kelly is in a similar spot, trying to show now he is the one who should be fully in charge of making the roster playoff worthy.

Those decisions will come soon enough.

As for now, Las Vegas star wide receiver Davante Adams said the current makeup of those leadership positions should be noted, but the fact it is a story also is something that needs to be rectified.

“Hopefully, we get to a point where we don’t even need to acknowledge it — not here but just in the world,” Adams said. “It’d be cool to just have a Black president and it just be the president, it’s just a normal thing, that’s the ultimate goal.”

In the meantime, Adams said, the Raiders' leadership should serve as an inspiration to young people who otherwise wouldn't have such role models to try to emulate.

Pierce made a similar point.

“I do look at myself as somebody who can be a leader and an example for the other children wherever they may be in the world that, listen, you could do it,” Pierce said. "If I did it, I know you could do it. Guarantee that. So, hopefully, they believe in a dream like I did and work their (butts) off to get there.”

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1694245 2023-12-13T18:38:07+00:00
Vikings beat Raiders 3-0 in lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-vikings-beat-raiders-3-0-in-lowest-scoring-nfl-game-in-16-years/ Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:34:57 +0000 LAS VEGAS (AP) — The brand of football Minnesota and Las Vegas played on Sunday set the NFL back 16 years.

Only Greg Joseph's 36-yard field goal with 1:57 left that gave the Vikings a 3-0 victory over the Raiders prevented the teams from setting the league back 80 years.

It was the first 3-0 game since Pittsburgh beat Miami on Nov. 26, 2007, the third in the past 40 years and the seventh in the Super Bowl era. The last game that ended regulation scoreless was a 0-0 tie between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions on Nov. 7, 1943.

The Vikings (7-6) had just 230 total yards, and the Raiders (5-8) — losers of three in a row — were limited to 201 yards and nine first downs. Minnesota beat an AFC West opponent for the first time this season after going 0-3.

It was Minnesota's first shutout since defeating Green Bay 16-0 on Dec. 23, 2017 and the first blanking of Las Vegas since its 24-0 loss to New Orleans on Oct. 30, 2022.

Nick Mullens relieved an ineffective Joshua Dobbs at quarterback in the fourth quarter and led the Vikings on their lone scoring drive. His 22-yard completion to Jordan Addison to the Raiders 20 set up Joseph's kick.

“You never know when your name is going to be called, but you prepare and work as hard as you can and trust that there's a plan out there for you,” Mullens said. “I did that, stepped in. The guys did an incredible job. ... It doesn't matter what it looks like, a win is a win.”

Dobbs was 10 of 23 for 63 yards; Mullens completed 9 of 13 passes for 83 yards.

“I felt like my trust in Nick with his preparation he could be called upon,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We made sure he got some reps last week so he was ready to go, and he did exactly that. Went out and made some critical, critical plays to move the chains and ultimately get us in range for the very limited amount of points we got today.”

O'Connell said he didn't know who would start going forward.

Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce could face a similar situation after Aidan O'Connell completed 21 of 32 passes for 171 yards with an interception, but the quarterback wasn't the only one at fault.

“No excuse there,” Pierce said. “It is shocking. Plenty of time to prepare for an opponent. They did nothing new. Poor coaching. Poor performance by the players.”

The Vikings lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year, in the second quarter to a chest injury. He was taken to a hospital, but O'Connell said the early prognosis was promising. This was Jefferson’s first game back after missing the previous seven because of a hamstring injury.

Las Vegas lost running back Josh Jacobs to a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Jacobs led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,653 yards. He had rushed for more than 100 yards in two of the prior three games.

Neither team scored in the first half, the second time that happened Sunday. The Houston Texans-New York Jets game also was 0-0 at intermission. According to the Fox Sports broadcast, it was the first time since October of 1988 that two games were scoreless at halftime on the same day.

The game remained scoreless entering the fourth quarter, the first time that has happened since Week 17 of the 2017 season when the Cowboys and Eagles faced each other. It's the first time the Raiders have ever been involved in such a game and the second for the Vikings — Nov. 14, 1971 against the Packers was the other. That game also ended in a 3-0 win for Minnesota.

Both teams didn't capitalize on scoring chances. Joseph missed a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter and Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow lost a fumble at Minnesota's 20.

VIKINGS OC MAKES TRIP AFTER ARREST

Minnesota offensive coordinator Wes Phillips traveled with the team and worked the game after his Friday night arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in Minneapolis.

“I was incredibly disappointed, there's no question,” O'Connell said. “But we want to allow the facts and do our due diligence from that standpoint. The league is clearly involved as well. It's very important that we as coaches understand we're setting the bar for our organization and for our players. Wes knows he fell short of that.”

MILESTONE SACK

Maxx Crosby became the fifth Raider to record 50 career sacks when he got to Dobbs in the second quarter. He is the first player in franchise history to get there in his first five seasons. Crosby later added a second sack.

TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS

Crosby led the team onto the field carrying flags representing UNLV and law enforcement. The team had a moment of silence before kickoff to honors the three UNLV professors who were fatally shot Wednesday and two Nevada Highway Patrol officers who died after being struck by a car on Nov. 30.

INJURIES

Vikings: RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) was injured in the third quarter. ... RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) was hurt in the second quarter. ... WR Jalen Nailor is in concussion protocol.

Raiders: DT Adam Butler (foot) and LB Kana’i Mauga (knee) were injured in the second quarter. Mauga had just been activated off injured reserve on Saturday. He was on IR because of a knee injury. ... C Andre James (ankle) was injured in the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Vikings: At Cincinnati on Saturday.

Raiders: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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