By Tashan Reed, Vic Tafur and Jelani Scott

In a close game that had major implications for the NFL Draft order, the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) ended their 10-game losing streak on Sunday after posting a 19-14 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (3rd). -12) had achieved.

The Raiders showed solid performances from their defense and rookie tight end Brock Bowers to give their fans something to cheer about with the win in the face of another losing season. But considering Las Vegas fell from No. 2 to No. 6 in April’s NFL Draft, the good vibes could be short-lived.

After holding a 13-7 lead for most of the game, Las Vegas overcame a missed field and a Jags touchdown late in the third quarter by responding with a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive and finally took the lead.

Las Vegas’ offense was led by Bowers’ 11 catches and 99 yards. He’s on pace to set the NFL rookie record for catches (105) and tight end receiving yards (1,076) in a season next week. The defense also held on to allow its lowest point total in 2024.

Raiders are losing ground in the race for No. 1

With the win over the Jaguars, the Raiders lost ground in the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The New York Giants are now the only two-win team in the NFL and have the edge at the top pick. Meanwhile, the Raiders, who entered Sunday’s game as a No. 2 seed, dropped to No. 6 with a win over Jacksonville. Las Vegas now trails the New England Patriots (3-12), currently ranked No. 5 after losing on Sunday, Jacksonville, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and the Giants.

The Raiders defeated the Browns (3-12) and Jaguars (3-12), which is why those teams are ahead of them in the draft order. Las Vegas hasn’t played either the Titans (3-12) or Patriots (3-12), but Tennessee and New England remain ahead in the draft order as both clubs have a weaker schedule than the Raiders entering the year to complete.

Given that the Giants, Browns and Titans are all teams with major question marks at quarterback, this win could prove costly for the Raiders if they plan on taking a quarterback in the first round. Although Aidan O’Connell was fine on Sunday against Jacksonville, that won’t stop the Raiders from exploring their options at the position in the offseason. – Tashan Reed, Raiders beat writer

Raiders D showed signs of life

The Raiders’ defense led them to their first win of the season… until they couldn’t. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao had two forced fumbles and the Raiders led 13-7 until they forgot to cover Brian Thomas Jr. on one play and fell behind for several minutes.

Pola-Mao had an up-and-down season as he replaced injured veteran Marcus Epps, but the third-year player’s hit on Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby canceled out a big second-quarter run. And then, just before halftime, he brought the hammer down on tight end Brenton Strange, causing another lost fumble as the Jaguars headed for a field goal.

The Raiders are last in the league in takeaways this season, a big reason why they have lost 10 straight. – Vic Tafur, Raiders beat writer

Thomas stars again as the Jags’ rookie continues to shine

Mac Jones doesn’t take many offside shots, but he had a chance to capitalize on all three on Sunday.

After Jones threw a bad ball to Brian Thomas Jr. on the first ball, the rookie dropped the next ball (there was still a penalty). But Thomas intercepted a 62-yard heave from Jones and jogged into the end zone with 54 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Jaguars a 14-13 lead.

Thomas was quiet early but managed nine catches for 131 yards and was the Jaguars’ only offensive threat. They averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and Jones was content to go 25 of 39 for 247 yards and a touchdown. – Tafur

BRIAN THOMAS JR!

📺: #JAXvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Plt8MEmW32

– NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Ameer Abdullah comes in at the crucial time

Ameer Abdullah, a 10th-year veteran, was one of the many veterans who told the younger Raiders not to let go of the rope during a 10-game losing streak. And on Sunday, the running back got things off to a good start with a seven-yard touchdown run and four big catches to lead the Raiders to a win over the visiting Jags.

Special Forces leader Abdullah has waited for his chances following injuries to Alexander Mattison, Zamir White and Sincere McCormick. He played well in the sprints but was behind Mattison again on Sunday. He only had three touches in the first half but came up big in the end, and we’ll see if that even results in coach Antonio Pierce keeping his job. – Tafur

Required reading

(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie / Imagn Images)