Missed field goal results in third straight loss for Raiders despite Jeanty, Crosby career days

Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby turns the corner while chasing down Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

Three straight weeks without a win and still the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to put the train back on the right track.

In heartbreaking fashion Las Vegas lost to Chicago, 25-24, Sunday, Sept. 28 from Allegiant Stadium in a Week 4 matchup. That marked the third consecutive loss for the franchise after beginning the year 1-0.

“You can’t expect to turn the ball over like that and win,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “But we overcame it because the defense was so spectacular in the first half making those stops.”

Both games played at home this season have been losses for the Raiders while the building was nearly split in half this past weekend with Bears fans invading Allegiant Stadium.

“It’s tough to come in here twice for our fans and not come out of here with the win,” Carroll said. “We really set our sights on getting this thing jump started today. And we didn’t quite get that done. So it’s still out there for us.”

Las Vegas will look to end the three-game losing streak Sunday, Oct. 5 from Lucas Oil Stadium when it will take on Indianapolis. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m.

Kicker Daniel Carlson had his game-winning 54-yard field goal attempt blocked, sealing the team’s third straight loss. Prior to, he had made his lone field goal try from 29 yards out.

Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson lines up for one of his two field goal attempts inside Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Sept. 28. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

“I mean, we were right there,” defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “It came down to the last play. We’ve got to find a way to not make it so hard on ourselves.”

The loss salted the breakout game for first round draft pick Ashton Jeanty, who erupted for 155 total yards and three touchdowns on 23 combined touches.

Two of Jeanty’s scores came through the air from quarterback Geno Smith with the first coming late in the first quarter to give the home team a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, he broke free on a 64-yard rushing touchdown on the team’s first play of the drive to go up 14-6.

The offensive production for the former Boise State running back allowed the Raiders to take a lead into halftime for the first time this season.

“To me, it’s all about winning,” he said. “I’m more about winning, putting W’s on the stat sheet than my own personal stats. "

Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith hands the ball off to rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

Early in the third quarter, Jeanty eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark on his way to 138 for the game. Fellow running back Raheem Mostert added 62 yards while Smith chipped in with 31 more as the team rushed for 240 total yards.

“We ran the ball for a ton,” Carroll said. “What did we rush for, 240 or something? I mean, that’s a fantastic game for us and so it’s a great statement for us moving forward and getting better.”

Smith had another tough day in regards to holding onto the football as he continued to add to his league-leading interception numbers. He threw two of his three interceptions in the first half while his final turnover came on the first play of the second half.

With those three interceptions, he ended the night with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing.

In total, Las Vegas turned the ball over four times including a first quarter fumble by Jeanty.

“I owe it to my teammates to go out there and play better,” Smith said. “The guys deserved to get this win and I let those guys down.”

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby deflects a ball at the line of scrimmage thrown by opposing quarterback Caleb Williams. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

Crosby had a historic day despite the loss which featured several batted balls at the line of scrimmage thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams. One of his batted balls resulted in his first career interception.

Later in the first half, Crosby forced a fumble but Chicago landed on the loose ball.

“I want to go out there and wreck everything,” he said. “I feel like I do that at a very, very high level. And that wasn’t enough today, I’ve got to do more. But we’ve got to do more as a team to win.”

Crosby tallied five tackles, three tackles for loss, three pass deflections, a quarterback hit and an interception for a defense that forced its opponent into three punts and four field goals.

Before the touchdown run by running back D’Andre Swift on the penultimate Bears drive. The lead remained at a single point after the visitors misfired on a two-point conversion.

“Freaking hurts,” Crosby said. “It sucks. I hate losing. Everybody in this locker room hates losing, so we’ve got to just find ways to win.”