FSM Essential Recap: Week 17 - Raiders Vs Colts

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FSM Essential Recap: Week 17 – Raiders vs Colts

Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) | Indianapolis Colts (9-7)

The Raiders go on the road and beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Raiders vs Colts — *Photo Credit: Michael Hickey/Getty Images*

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson kicked a 33-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock to give the Raiders a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts to keep their postseason dreams alive for the final week of the season.

Entering Week 17 on a two-game winning streak, The Raiders were looking not to pack it in just yet and keep their season alive. However, knowing it wouldn’t be easy against a tough Colts team on the road, the Raiders had to set the tone early if they were to see themselves walk away victorious.

Indianapolis was looking to further their playoff push and end the season for a visiting team. Looking to follow MVP candidate running back Jonathan Taylor for the season, the Colts were 9-0 when Taylor rushed for at 100 yards, while going 0-6 when he couldn’t reach that mark. So as it goes, if Taylor has a big game, then the Colts win, or at least that’s how it played out until the Silver & Black came to town.

Derek Carr finally had someone else step up in the passing game.

Derek Carr may not have had the best outing, throwing two interceptions, one of which was an under-thrown deep pass to DeSean Jackson in one on one coverage. Nevertheless, Carr made key throws when he needed to and was able to help one of his targets have the best game of his career.

Wide receiver Zay Jones had eight catches for 120 yards. The first time he’s eclipsed 100 yards in a game. A promising wideout from East Carolina, Jones had a breakout sophomore year with the Buffalo Bills, but injuries and the team adding other key weapons moved Jones out of favor and saw him land with the Raiders. At the same time, he’s shown flashes, including the game-winning score in week one against the Baltimore Ravens.

Jones was finally given a more prominent role once they lost Henry Ruggs. Week by week, Jones has gained more confidence, made big catches, and with Carr targeting him more and more, earned the trust of his quarterback. Still needing to find the end zone, Jones has been a welcome addition to the Silver & Black when given a chance to show what he can do.

Who did find the end zone for the Raiders offense, was running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. Jacobs had 63 yards on the ground, seemed to have rib issues early in the game that took him out for a series, and is worth keeping an eye on moving forward. Renfrow, who had 76 yards receiving and 64 yards in punt returns, including a 41 yarder, continues to be the playmaker for this offense and nearly had the game-winning touchdown. But the TD was called back after the replay showed that the defender touched Renforw’s foot when making the diving catch.

But the great teammate that Renfrow is, he saw this as a plus as the team could run the clock down and allow kicker Daniel Carlson to seal the game with no remaining time.

Playoffs? You’re talking playoffs? Playoffs? Are you kidding me, PLAYOFFS?! Yes, PLAYOFFS!

On a three-game winning streak heading into week 17, the Raiders look to have found their groove back from earlier in the season. However, there’s still one more victory needed to ensure they make the postseason, and it’ll be against division rival, the Los Angeles Chargers.

What better way to end the season than evening up the series at one win apiece and making the postseason?

It’ll be a winner take all, which is fitting given the game will be played in Las Vegas. It’s all comes down to this for the season to continue. The winner moves on, and the loser goes home to lick their wounds and recover for next season. It’s been quite the season for the Raiders. But as we are now in the new year, the Silver and Black are very much alive in the conference.