Jan 2, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman (11) catches the ball and is stopped on the one yard line by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Carlson converted a 33-yard field goal Sunday as time expired, lifting the Las Vegas Raiders to a 23-20 win over the host Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts (9-7) tied the score on Michael Badgley’s 41-yard field goal with 1:56 left, but Las Vegas (9-7) drove 60 yards in 10 plays to set up Carlson’s second game-winner during its three-game winning streak that’s kept its AFC playoff hopes alive.
The big play on the winning drive was Derek Carr’s 24-yard completion to Hunter Renfrow that moved the ball to the Indianapolis 24-yard line. Three Josh Jacobs runs ran the clock down to two seconds, setting the stage for Carlson.
Carr completed 24 of 31 passes for 255 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, while Zay Jones caught eight passes for 120 yards. The Raiders outgained the Colts 326-262.
NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor did his part for Indianapolis with 108 yards and a touchdown in 20 carries. Quarterback Carson Wentz, who was released out of COVID-19 protocol on Saturday and formally cleared to play on Sunday, hit 16 of 27 passes for 148 yards and a 45-yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton in the third quarter to give the Colts a 17-13 lead.
Las Vegas controlled most of the first half, starting with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to begin the game that chewed up 7:09 of clock. Jacobs capped it with a 2-yard run.
Carlson increased the lead to 10-0 just 48 seconds into the second quarter with a 47-yard field goal, seven plays after a 41-yard punt return by Renfrow set the Raiders up at the Indianapolis 35.
Badgley converted from 46 yards away with 10:07 left in the first half to get the Colts on the board, but Las Vegas restored a 10-point lead when Carlson drilled a 44-yard field goal with 1:47 left.
However, Indianapolis worked its way into contention with a 60-yard drive that culminated with Taylor’s 1-yard run with one second on the clock, slicing its deficit to 13-10.
–Field Level Media