Jalen Nailor, wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jets
Jalen Nailor, wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Jets
Raiders vs. Jets is a crucial matchup for both teams, each with season-defining implications. After a 3-0 start, the Las Vegas Raiders have lost four games in a row, including a 35- 21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams 35-21 last week. Meanwhile, despite the return of wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., the New York Jets have lost back-to-back games after handing the Miami Dolphins their first victory of the season during a 28-25 loss in Week 7.
Entering today, things go from bad to worse as their once overperforming defense misses key offseason acquisitions: defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and second overall pick edge rusher David Bailey, as the defensive line depth will be tested. Sweat, who was acquired from the Titans via trade in exchange for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, was placed on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury he suffered last week. The team expects him back this season & remain optimistic his stint on IR will be short.
Jets are placing DT T’Vondre Sweat on Injured Reserve. Expected to return this season with the hope that it’s sooner than later.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 31, 2026
Meanwhile, Bailey missed the last three practices due to a lingering groin issue. The timing couldn’t be worse as the ex-Texas Tech edge rusher appeared to finally find his footing during his rookie year. He leads the team with 5.5 sacks along with three forced fumbles, tying him for second across the NFL. There is optimism that his injury isn’t serious, and he should return in Week 9. Along with running back Breece Hall missing another week with a quad injury.
However, it’s not all negative for New York. After missing the last four weeks due to a knee injury, left guard Dylan Parham is expected to return. Parham’s absence has been felt on the interior of the offensive line as backup Connor Meredith struggled during his absence. After quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 12 times for a loss of 104 yards, the New York’s offense will appreciate their starting offensive line being healthy for the first time during Raiders vs. Jets.
Braelon Allen, running back, New York Jets
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) runs with the ball in the second quarter as the New York Jets play Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 8 NFL football game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
Raiders vs. Jets Week 8: Jets Lose 3rd Straight Game
Jets Overcome Poor Red-Zone Execution during First Half for Nine-Point Lead
Entering today, New York’s offense had taken steps forward this season. The Jets were optimistic that their offense can remain explosive enough to separate themselves today against the Raiders. While it wasn’t pretty, New York capitalized early. New York’s offense was the theme in the first half of Raiders vs. Jets. Left guard Dylan Parham’s return was beneficial as the Jets’ play-action game was nearly perfect in the first half. So much so, the Jets managed to score on all five drives within the first two quarters.
After settling for back-to-back field goals from kicker Jason Sanders, the Jets were in a 7-6 deficit vs. Las Vegas. New York managed an eight-play, 70-yard drive in under four minutes that was capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Geno Smith to wide receiver Isaiah Williams. However, on the following kickoff, Raiders running back and Long Island, New York native Dylan Laube returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Down 14-13, the Jets offense didn’t let up.
Geno Smith hits Isaiah Williams and the Jets take the lead
LVvsNYJ on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TDgw4CC6Fb
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
The Jets responded by capitalizing on an eight-play, 65-yard drive after Smith found wide receiver Adonai Mitchell on 4th and one at the Raiders’ 12-yard line for his second touchdown pass of the game. Allowing New York to take a 20-14 lead. On the following drive, despite missing run-stopping defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, the Jets’ interior defensive line stopped the Raiders on back-to-back short-yardage situations to force a turnover on downs.
Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, New York Jets
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (15) catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter as the New York Jets play Las Vegas Raiders in a week 8 NFL football game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
After regaining possession, the Jets rode the hot hand of running back Braelon Allen for seven straight runs, as the third-year running back finished the first half with 121 rushing yards. Unfortunately, a 10-yard sack by Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby pushed the Jets back, resulting in another Sanders field goal. Jets led the Raiders 23-14 heading into the second half.
Jets Defense Falls Apart As Offensive Execution Lingers, Raiders Win 38-33
The Jets entered the second half with all the momentum. But oh, how the pendulum shifts during Raiders vs. Jets. Las Vegas started with the ball to open the third quarter and quickly charged down the field. They orchestrated a 10-play, 65-yard drive capped off with Kirk Cousins finding Brock Bowers for his second touchdown of the game. The Raiders cut into the Jets’ lead 23-21 in just over five minutes.
New York added to the lead during the following drive, resulting in a three-play, 58-yard drive that was capped off by a 22-yard touchdown run by Allen, his first of the day. Jets once again lead by nine, up 30-21. However, the Jets defense continues to feel the absence of Sweat and Bailey. The defense allowed 130 yards to the Raiders offense in the third quarter alone. This resulted from another 10-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a Cousins quarterback sneak for a touchdown. Raiders trailed New York 30-28.
Things went from bad to worse after the Jets went three-and-out for the first time in the game, resulting in the Raiders getting possession with seconds remaining in the third quarter. Las Vegas capitalized, piecing together an 84-yard touchdown drive on nine plays that finished with Cousins throwing his third touchdown pass of the game, this time to wide receiver Jalen Nailor on a two-yard pass. Las Vegas took a 35-30 lead.
Geno Smith with a DOT to Adonai Mitchell. Oh my!!
Mitchell today: 7 catches, 142 yards, 1 TD 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/MBAYE8S1Oe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 1, 2026
After back-to-back punts on the following two drives, the Jets’ hopes remained. Despite foolishly abandoning the run for a majority of the second half, the Jets managed to move the ball down the field. A 47-yard pass from Smith to Mitchell pushed the Jets within the red zone once more with six minutes left. But even with the ball at the Raiders’ 13-yard line, New York couldn’t find the end zone, settling for a 31-yard field goal.
With Las Vegas regaining possession, they pieced together a nine-play, 30-yard drive, forcing Jets head coach Aaron Glenn to use all three timeouts before the two-minute warning. On fourth and five at the Jets’ 35-yard line, Raiders kicker Matt Gay connected on a 53-yard field goal. This pushed the Raiders lead up to 38-33. Jets regained possession with 27 seconds left. Smith found Garrett Wilson for a 15-yard gain, which turned into a 30-yard gain thanks to an unnecessary roughness penalty on Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn.
Game on the line, Jets with possession on the Raiders 35-yard line. No timeouts. 14 seconds on the clock. Smith snaps the ball, takes his time, takes a reckless shot towards Wilson in the end zone for the win… alas, it was intercepted by Chinn in the end zone. A heartbreaking turnover to end Raiders vs. Jets as Las Vegas ends their four-game losing streak with a 38-33 victory. Despite over 400 yards on offense, along with Adonai Mitchell and Braelon Allen combining for 295 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, the Jets fall to 2-6 with a road trip to Kansas City up next as they face the 5-1 Chiefs.
Jeremy Chinn, safety, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) catches an interception to end the game as the New York Jets play Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 8 NFL football game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Last Word
The clock is running out for Aaron Glenn and the coaching staff. The Jets failed to capitalize on back-to-back winnable home games vs. the Dolphins and Raiders. The regression of this defense when David Bailey isn’t on the field truly highlights the weaknesses of this team.
However, the Jets can feel confident in the offensive playmaking on this team. Braelon Allen, regardless of Breece Hall’s health, has shown he’s the best running back on the team with back-to-back 100+ yard rushing games. Along with the skill set of Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Kenyon Sadiq, and Mason Taylor, the offense has been gifted an explosive quintet of playmakers. But their ceiling is limited due to Geno Smith’s indecisiveness and offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s concerning playcalling in the red zone. Now with a tough road game against the Chiefs next week, Jets head into the trade deadline with concerns for the rest of the year.
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Main Photo: [Brad Penner] – Reuters Connect