The Baltimore Ravens, who had the best record in the NFL last season, started this season 0-2 after a fourth-quarter comeback by the Las Vegas Raiders resulted in a 26-23 loss for the Ravens. Despite having 383 total yards of offense, the Ravens struggled to convert on third down, going only 3 of 11. The Raiders’ defense came up big when it mattered most, forcing the Ravens off the field and ultimately sealing the victory with a field goal from Daniel Carlson with 27 seconds remaining. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, known for his strong leg, missed a crucial 56-yard field goal in the first half.
Despite a solid game from the Ravens’ offense, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, they were unable to get into field goal range on their final drive with less than 30 seconds remaining and no timeouts. The Raiders defense, led by Maxx Crosby who had two sacks against Jackson, came up big in crucial moments throughout the game. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew led an impressive nine-play, 70-yard drive in the final minutes, culminating in a touchdown pass to Davante Adams to tie the game at 23-23. Minshew finished the game with 276 passing yards on 30 completions out of 38 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception.
On the offensive side, rookie tight end Brock Bowers had an impressive game for the Raiders with nine receptions for 98 yards, while Davante Adams finished with nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. For the Ravens, Zay Flowers led the team with seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 34 pass attempts for 247 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Robert Spillane led the Raiders with 10 tackles and also recorded the team’s lone interception.
The game was a tight contest throughout, with both teams trading blows and neither team able to establish a firm lead. The Raiders’ defense came up big in critical moments, while the Ravens struggled to convert on key third downs. In the end, it was a field goal from Daniel Carlson and a late-game drive led by Gardner Minshew that sealed the victory for the Raiders. Despite the loss, the Ravens showed flashes of strong play on both offense and defense, but ultimately fell short in a game that many expected them to win at home.
Overall, the upset victory by the Las Vegas Raiders over the Baltimore Ravens showcased the unpredictable nature of the NFL. Despite the Ravens’ strong start to the season, they were unable to overcome a resilient Raiders team that executed when it mattered most. The game was a testament to the competitive nature of NFL football and served as a reminder that any team is capable of pulling off an upset on any given day. Both teams displayed moments of brilliance on both sides of the ball, but ultimately it was the Raiders who emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle.
