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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell is taking full responsibility for the costly mistake that ended the Raiders' comeback hopes in their heartbreaking 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. The error came in the final seconds of the game, with the Raiders on the verge of a potential victory.
With just 15 seconds remaining and the Raiders trailing by two points, Las Vegas was making a final push to take the lead. The team had managed to drive down the field and was at the Chiefs' 32-yard line with a chance to attempt a game-winning field goal. However, the comeback hopes were dashed when a botched snap between quarterback O'Connell and center Jackson Powers-Johnson led to a fumble recovery by the Chiefs, sealing the game for Kansas City.
O' Connell takes the blame
In the immediate aftermath, O'Connell took full responsibility for the mishap.
"It's completely my fault, I was looking out to the right and trying to make sure guys were set, and I started clapping. In my head, I was thinking signal the ball to get the ball, but when I start clapping, that tells Jackson that he should snap the ball," O'Connell said.
O'Connell explained that the mistake was due to his premature clapping, which caused the miscommunication. Despite the error, he made it clear that Powers-Johnson had done his part correctly.
"Jackson did exactly what he should have done, I clapped too early and that's how the football bounces sometimes… there's nobody to blame but myself," O'Connell added.
A Positive Performance Amidst the Loss
Although the game ended in disappointment for the Raiders, there were some positive signs for the second-year quarterback. O'Connell finished the game with 340 passing yards, completing 23 of 35 attempts, and threw for two touchdowns. While the loss dropped the Raiders to a 2-10 record on the season, O'Connell's performance provided a glimmer of hope for the team, which has struggled at the quarterback position throughout the year.
This late-game error, however, highlighted the Raiders' ongoing struggles, particularly in critical moments. The team has now lost eight of its last nine games against the Chiefs, a rivalry that continues to be one-sided.
A Heartbreaking Finish
The game's final 15 seconds saw multiple twists. After spiking the ball at the Chiefs' 32-yard line with 16 seconds left, the Raiders faced a third-and-3 situation, well within kicker Daniel Carlson's range. However, Carlson had missed three field goals earlier in the game (from distances of 56, 55, and 58 yards), leading head coach Antonio Pierce to opt for one more play to give the team a better chance.
The Raiders were in shotgun formation with 4 seconds left on the play clock when disaster struck. Rookie center Jackson Powers-Johnson, after receiving a tap from right guard Dylan Parham, snapped the ball to an unaware O'Connell. The ball bounced off O'Connell's upper right arm, and Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton was quick to recover the fumble, effectively ending the game.
Penalty Confusion and Final Call
Amid the chaos, flags flew, and there was initial confusion regarding the penalty. One official appeared to signal a false start, which would have given the Raiders possession but resulted in a 5-yard penalty, making it a third-and-8 situation with no timeouts and a potential 55-yard field goal attempt.
However, after a brief huddle, the officiating crew, led by referee Clay Martin, announced that the penalty against the Raiders was for an "illegal shift," which was declined by the Chiefs, leaving the fumble recovery as the game's final play.
With that, the Raiders' hopes of a victory were dashed, and the Chiefs held on for the win.
Looking Ahead
For O'Connell and the Raiders, the loss marked another painful chapter in what has been a tough season. With a 2-10 record, Las Vegas is struggling to find consistency, especially with quarterback play. The Raiders will now turn their focus to Week 14, where they will look to bounce back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
