If there were any defining traits the Raiders showed in the interim Antonio Pierce era last season, it was their tenacity and grit.
After a loss in Week 1 where none of that was to be found, the Raiders struck back with force on Sunday to defeat the Ravens 26-23 as heavy underdogs on the road.
Daniel Carlson buried a 36-yard game-winning field goal with 27 seconds remaining and gave the Raiders the a three-point lead in the games waning moments.
The Ravens threatened on their final possession, but Jack Jones broke up a sidline pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson to tight end Isaiah Likely, preventing them from getting into field-goal range as time expired.
The Raiders were 8½-point underdogs and it looked like they were going to live up to the billing as they trailed by 10 points with 12 minutes to play. That was before the offense matched the defense’s energy en route to rattling off 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter/
“Congratulations to our offense and our team, but we still got work to do," Pierce said. "There's a lot of meat on the bone. I'll be honest. We got to run the ball better.
“We came out in the second half, especially late in that third quarter, (and) protected the quarterback. Quarterback did a heck of job playing pitch and catch with one of the best receivers in the game, and a young rookie really stood out today.”
Brandon Sloter / Sporting Tribune
Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
That quarterback was Gardner Minshew, who struggled through the first three quarters. But it seemed like the guy who was leading the Raiders' conquest in the fourth had been hit with the “Men in Black” memory eraser. It was like watching two different people.
The first seven quarters of Minshew’s tenure as the Raiders starter were not up to the standard required to win in the NFL. However, if he can somehow recreate the poise he showed Sunday in the game’s decisive moments, then the Raiders will have a chance to surprise some people this season.
“It felt great,” Minshew said, “We started getting (Adams) really involved, Brock was balling,
"(Meyers) has huge catch. (Zamir White) had some runs. That’s what it can be, you know, and that's a challenge just to be consistent with that.”
Raiders on both sides of the ball had a stellar day.
Brandon Sloter / Sporting Tribune
Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Defensive lineman Maxx Crosby had a performance worthy of his billing in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, tallying 6 total tackles (5 solo), 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. On offense, wide receiver Davante Adams caught 9 passes on 12 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown, offering a presence that grew enormous in the fourth quarter.
“Best player on the field today,” Pierce said of Crosby. “That's what I asked. I asked our guys, their best versus our best, who’s going to be the best when we were standing after the game.
“And I think our two best players stood up, (Adams) and (Crosby)."
First-round pick Brock Bowers had a marquee day as well, catching 9 passes for 98 yards. Furthermore, Bowers caught all nine of his targets for 10.8 yards per catch.
“He's so good,” Minshew said “Great feel in zone, he can get open in man.
"I had to take a shot to him on third down. He goes and makes a huge play for us. Man, I think he is going to be really special.”
Minshew finished 30-of-38 passing for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Jackson was 21 of 34 with 247 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Jackson also ran for 45 yards on five carries.
