Suddenly, the Raiders are the most entertaining show in Las Vegas.
Coach Jon Gruden’s squad beat the Dolphins in an overtime thriller on Sunday, 31-28, after Las Vegas fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. The Raiders stormed back with 25 unanswered points and overcame late-game adversity to get the victory.
Las Vegas’ win put its record at 3-0, the first such mark for the Raiders since 2002. The franchise just so happens to have gone to the Super Bowl that season.
But it’s hard to imagine the Raiders making it to the Super Bowl playing as they did on Sunday. They got the win, but just barely after they had gained a decisive lead in the fourth quarter. Still, it was a huge victory. Here are the players that made the largest impact for the better and for the worse.
Winners
Casey Hayward Jr.
The Raiders’ march to victory started with an incredible play by Las Vegas’ starting cornerback. With the Dolphins still holding a 14-0 lead and in the shadow of their own goalpost on offense, Hayward instinctively jumped on a foolish pass attempt by Miami.
The Dolphins’ receiver was in the end zone when he caught the ball, and Hayward pounced with a textbook tackle for a Raiders safety. The Raiders scored a field goal after Miami’s free-kick, closing the score to 14-5.
It was a historic moment, too. According to Pro Football Reference, it was the first such safety to be recorded in their database, since it was a pass play without a fumble or penalty.
Casey Hayward read it perfectly for the safety
@show_case29 #RaiderNation
: #MIAvsLV on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/UIRfsHC2zZ
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
Alec Ingold
Fullback Alec Ingold caught quarterback Derek Carr’s first touchdown of the day, but before that, he had to play hero at the goal line for a completely different reason.
As the Raiders offense drove down the field still down 14-5, they gave the ball to running back Peyton Barber up the middle. He fumbled, and after the football was flung into the air, Ingold swooped in and caught it, falling forward and nearly scoring himself.
One play later, Ingold caught his touchdown on a play-action pass to the right side of the offense, and the Raiders’ comeback had picked up some real steam.
FB TD ↝ @AI_XLV
#MIAvsLV | CBS pic.twitter.com/R5scERm2f5
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 26, 2021
Peyton Barber
When starting running back Josh Jacobs’ health started to become an issue after Week 1, most assumed RB Kenyan Drake would get the majority of carries in his place. Gruden said no, it would be the newly-acquired Barber. Most scoffed at the notion, myself included.
But Barber had an incredible 23 carries on Sunday for 111 yards and a touchdown. His 27-yard run in overtime was crucial, coming right after a 34-yard catch by wide receiver Bryan Edwards. The big plays helped set up a game-winning field goal from Daniel Carlson in the extra frame.
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