Quarterback Jordan Love (#10) of the Green Bay Packers passes in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, October 9, 2023. /CFP
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Green Bay Packers 17-13 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Monday, securing their second win of the season.
Usually the better team wins in the game. In other words, the worse team loses, which was what happened on Monday night. The Packers' quarterback (QB) Jordan Love completed only 16 of his 30 passes to produce 182 yards and no touchdown, but threw three interceptions. One of the few highlights of his was a 77-yard connection with wide receiver Christian Watson, but other than that, Love just gave fans more reasons to miss Aaron Rodgers.
The best-performing Packer in Monday's game was running back AJ Dillon who rushed for 76 yards with 20 carries and scored the team's only touchdown. In the third quarter, the team finished an eight-play drive in which Dillon rushed six times, including five straight times the Raiders' from 29 yards to the end zone.
Outside linebacker Rashan Gary (#52) of the Green Bay Packers sacks quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (#10) of the Las Vegas Raiders in the game at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, October 9, 2023. /CFP
Despite the Packers' poor offensive performance, they still had one final chance to come back when they had the ball back and trailed by only four points with two minutes left. However, all the final four passes by Love were incomplete, including the last one intercepted by Amik Robertson in the Raiders' end zone.
Compared with Love, Jimmy Garoppolo performed better in calling plays, but not by too much. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He was sacked three times which cost his team 21 yards. Garoppolo's problem was that he lacked enough arm strength to attack the Packers downfield. The longest connection he got was with wide receiver Davante Adams for 21 yards.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby (R) of the Las Vegas Raiders pushes quarterback Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers in the game at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, October 9, 2023. /CFP
Running back Josh Jacobs scored the other touchdown for the Raiders as he rushed for 69 yards with 20 carries. Monday's win would have been less close for the home team if kicker Daniel Carlson hadn't missed two of their three field goals, one from 53 yards in the first half and the other from 52 yards in the second half. By contrast, Daniel Carlson's brother Anders Carlson made both of the Packers' field goals.
The biggest credit for the Raiders' victory on Monday should go to defensive end Maxx Crosby who had four tackles and one sack. He and his teammates in the defensive group made significant contributions to the team's first win against the Packers since 1990, which ended an eight-game losing streak.