Patriots mistake gives the game to Raiders

Allegiant Stadium witnessed one of the most exciting and improbable finishes in NFL history.

The New England Patriots were leading 24-17 with less than a minute to play, but the Las Vegas Raiders found a way to win in just 32 seconds with a lot of help from their opponents.

First, Derek Carr capped a nine-play, 81-yard drive that took 1:39 off the clock with a touchdown pass to Keelan Cole to tie the score with 32 seconds to play.

New England regained possession and when everything indicated that the game was headed to overtime, the Patriots ended up losing the ball with an uncharacteristic fumble that opened the door to victory for the Raiders.

With 10 seconds to play, at their own 45-yard line, the Patriots sent a Rhamondre Stevenson carry down the middle of the field, after gaining 23 yards, the running back turned and before being tackled gave a lateral pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who surrounded by defenders threw the ball to quarterback Mac Jones, However, quarterback Chandler Jones got in the way and made the catch, leaving him alone in front of Mac Jones, whom he easily eluded at the New England 48-yard line and ran all the way to the diagonals to score the winning touchdown for Las Vegas.

This result has a harsh impact on the Patriots’ playoff aspirations, stagnating with a 7-7 record that leaves them in third place in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills (11-3) and Miami Dolphins (8-6) and moves them further away in the American Conference wild card race, which currently has the Baltimore Ravens (9-5), Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) and Dolphins with the ticket in hand.

The Patriots can still advance to the postseason, but their closing schedule is tough with games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Dolphins and Bills, opponents that combine for a 29-13 record.