By Reaux Fa Real and Gerald Wright
After a 3-and-out to begin the game, it seemed the Offense would have another slow first half. The defense held Las Vegas to a field goal on their first drive after a hard sack on Raiders QB Kirk Cousins by Saints Edge Chase Young for a loss of 3 yards, to make the score, 3-0 leaning towards the Raiders.
On the Saints’ second drive, it was a 36-yard run from QB Tyler Shough to put the Saints in great field position, which ultimately set up two first-down receptions by WRs DeVaughn Vele and Chris Olave to put the Saints in the Red Zone. A touchdown by Juwan Johnson put the Saints up 6-3 after a blocked field goal attempt.
2nd Quarter
Kirk Cousins wasted no time driving the Raiders down the field. Raiders Kicker Matt Gay tied it at 6 with a 37-yard field goal early in the 2nd Quarter. Penalties stopped the Saints from even crossing the 25-yard line on their first drive of the 2nd Quarter.
The Raiders got 1st & 10 at the Saints’ 51-yard line, followed by an 18-yard reception by TE Michael Mayer. On a third-and-goal from the Saints’ 5-yard line, another questionable call by the refs as Kirk Cousins is sacked by Saints Linebacker, Danny Stutsman in what appeared to be a clean sack. However, it was pinned as roughing the passer, setting up a 3-yard touchdown by TE Michael Mayer to make the score 13-6.
The Saints bounce back after great runs from RB Travis Etienne but an 18-yard reception by Chris Olave puts the Saints in Raiders territory. A gain of 14 added to it after a catch from Juwan Johnson to bring the Saints to the Raiders’ 6-yard line. A 3-yard pass to TE Noah Fant ties the game 13-13 with 1:54 left in the first half.
The Raiders get the ball back, and Kirk Cousins delivers an 11-yarder to give the Raiders a first down. A holding call on the Saints gives the Raiders another first down, followed by another 11-yarder by Cousins. A 15-yarder caught by put the Raiders on the Saints’ 14-yard line with 14 left to play in the half. Another costly penalty by the Saints put the Raiders on the 7-yard line. A 25-yard field goal by K Matt Gay put the Raiders up 17-13 at the half.
3rd Quarter
Raiders opened the second half with a quick 3-and-out. Saints got the ball on their own 13-yard line.
A 9-yard run by Saints RB Alvin Kamara put the Saints near mid-field, followed by another quick run by Kamara to enter Raiders territory. Shough just began “shoughing” at this point. A 117-yardcompletion by Devaughn Vele gives the Saints a 1st and Goal. From the 1-yard line, Shough throws a touchdown to Juwan Johnson. With a successful field goal by K Daniel Carlson, the Saints take the lead, 20-16.
Raiders return the ball, but a fumble by — gave the Saints the ball back. Travis Etienne’s 16-yard run puts the Saints on the Raiders’ 16-yard line. Shough connects with TE Noah Fant again for a 16-yard touchdown followed by another successful kick to make the score 27-16.
Raiders get the ball back, and Cousins connects with Brock Bowers for 20 yards. An incredible run from Mike Washington gets the Raiders a gain of 35 yards for a touchdown to make the score 27-22. Cousins’ incomplete pass for a two-point conversion kept the score 27-22 with 3:20 left in the 3rd Quarter.
New Orleans starts the next drive from the 40-yard line after the punt goes out of bounds. Three incomplete passes by Shough forced the Saints to a 3-and-out.
Raiders would start their drive on the Saints’ 10-yard line. After three incompletions, the Raiders punted the ball away. Saints would begin the drive on their own 39-yard line after a 62-yard punt. On third down, Shough connects with WR Chris Olave for an 11-yard reception to give the Saints 1st down.
4th Quarter
Chris Olave gains 9 to put the Saints on the 35-yard line with a 1st and 10. Shough fumbles on another questionable call by the referees, the same way the controversial call was ruled in favor of the Detroit Lions in week one.
The Raiders get the ball back, and Cousins drives it down the field quickly. Cousins connected with Trey Tucker for a 15-yard reception to put the ball on the Saints’ 6-yard line. Cousins completes a 44-yard touchdown pass to #82 Cody White. Attempting a two-point conversion, Cousins is sacked to make it 28-27, with the Raiders now in the lead. Shough throws an interception on third down, and CE Hezikiah Masses returns it to put the Raiders on the Saints’ 4-yard line. Cousin completes a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers for another touchdown, and a successful field goal makes it 35-27 with 6:22 left to play.
Saints will start the next drive with an 11-yard run by RB Alvin Kamara for a 1st down. Kamara follows with a 6-yard run. RB Kendre Miller earned the first down. Shough completes a pass to TE Juwan Johnson for a 22-yard gain and first down. Shough is sacked on 4th and 1, giving the Raiders the ball back.
At the 2min warning, the Raiders would start on their own 44-yard line. On 3rd and 5, Saints edge rusher Chase Young sacks Cousins. The Raiders would punt with 1:44 left in the game. Saints would take over from their own 20-yard line.
Shough connects with Olave for a 16-yard gain and a first down at the 40. A costly fumble by Juwan Johnson kills a strong drive by Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough that kept the Saints in the game. It would be the last score of the game, giving the Raiders a 35-27 win in the Caesars Superdome.
