After a dreadful showing against the Vikings last week, the Raiders had a bevy of scoring drives in their 31-24 win against the Colts in Indianapolis.
Oakland moved down the field beautifully on its first opportunity of the contest for a touchdown. The Raiders also opened the third quarter with a long drive for a field goal, highlighted by a 4th-and-1 conversion by fullback Alec Ingold. Starting each half with points was key to victory.
But it’s the Raiders’ third touchdown march that earns this week’s honors as the drive of the game.
After Oakland jumped out to a 14-0 lead, thanks to that first drive and a lightning-fast, 60-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Trevor Davis, the Raiders had the ball again and had a golden opportunity to ice the game early.
Instead, quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs fumbled a handoff exchange. The Colts had great field position and quickly scored a touchdown.
But the Raiders were not to be denied on this day. They got the ball back, and calmly traveled 76 yards on 11 plays to answer the Colts’ comeback attempt. On a 3rd-and-8 play from the 19-yard line, Carr hit WR Tyrell Williams for a touchdown strike to complete this week’s best drive.
On the way there, RB Jalen Richard converted a 3rd-and-2 with a short run and had a 13-yard scamper as well. Carr also found tight end Daren Waller streaking across the middle of the defense for a 17-yard completion, and he added a 15-yard catch later in the drive. Jacobs started the march with a run for 8-yards.
It added up to regained confidence for the club. The Colts seized momentum after Oakland’s fumble, but the Raiders wrestled it right back. Up, 21-7, the team held together and earned an impressive win. They’re now 1-1 on their current five-game stretch away from home (2-2 overall) and will battle the Bears in London next week.
