The Las Vegas Raiders may have dropped their ninth straight game in Week 16, but this one felt different. Facing a red-hot Houston Texans team riding a six-game win streak and boasting the league’s top-ranked defense, the Raiders weren’t supposed to make this a game. But they did - and then some.
In a gritty 23-21 loss at NRG Stadium, the Raiders pushed the now 10-5 Texans to the brink, coming up just short on the final possession. And while the result goes down as another L in the standings, the performance - especially from their defense and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty - gave Raider Nation something to hold onto.
Let’s start with Jeanty, who had himself a day. After weeks of whispers labeling him a bust due to limited production, the rookie exploded for 188 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns - both of which came on electrifying plays of 50 yards or more.
That’s not just a bounce-back performance. That’s a statement.
Jeanty ran with purpose and vision, slipping through tackles and turning nothing plays into game-changers. Against a Texans defense that’s been suffocating opponents all season, Jeanty looked like he belonged - and then some.
Even the opposition took notice.
“I’ve never been in a game and actually stopped and was like, ‘Dang, this man’s a dog,’” Texans Pro Bowl edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. said postgame. “Ton of respect for him, man.
He’s gonna be a really good player in this league. Tough back, tough runner, hard to bring down… he’s gonna do a ton of great things.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come easy from a player like Anderson, who’s quickly becoming one of the most feared defenders in the NFL. And he wasn’t alone in his assessment.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans - a defensive mind with serious credentials - echoed the sentiment.
“As I showed the guys all week, Jeanty, he was able to break a lot of tackles,” Ryans said. “You think he’s down, you think the play is over, and he’s still pulling guys for more yards.
Credit to the young man for how he runs the football. Hats off to Jeanty.
Really good player. Has a really bright future in this league.
Everything that he advertised on film, it is the truth.”
That’s not just coach-speak - that’s real respect from one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game. And it’s well-earned.
Jeanty’s performance didn’t just pop on the stat sheet - it passed the eye test. He ran with confidence, patience, and power, showing the kind of burst and balance that makes defenders miss and coaches smile. And he did it behind a struggling offensive line, in a game where Las Vegas was supposed to get overwhelmed.
Instead, Jeanty flipped the script.
This wasn’t just a breakout game. It was a glimpse of what the Raiders might have in their young back - a playmaker with the potential to be a cornerstone. And for a team desperately searching for answers and building blocks during a tough stretch, that’s no small thing.
The Raiders' defense also deserves credit here. After being inconsistent for most of the season, they showed up against a Texans offense that’s been clicking. They kept the game within reach, gave the offense chances, and played with a level of urgency that’s been missing in recent weeks.
Sure, the losing streak continues. But Sunday’s effort - led by Jeanty’s breakout - felt like more than just another loss. It felt like a step forward.
If this is the version of Ashton Jeanty the Raiders are going to get moving forward, then they’ve got something real. Something worth building around. And judging by the reactions from Houston’s top players and coaches, the rest of the league is starting to take notice.