The Raiders scored to open the second half towards the Saints on Monday evening, and their struggling protection pressured a New Orleans punt on the following possession. Las Vegas had the ball, up 24-17, and was poised to take management of the sport.

However because the Raiders offense drove down the sector with momentum in hand, working again Jalen Richard fumbled the prospect away. On a third-down toss play that seemed promising, Richard took his eye off the ball, and for the second, momentum was misplaced.

However Richard acquired one other likelihood on the following drive — on the identical toss play, even — and he cashed in, this time for a landing run on a third-and-long try, giving the Raiders a 31-17 lead. Las Vegas finally gained, 34-24, within the membership’s first sport in Allegiant Stadium.

Coach Jon Gruden acknowledged his working again’s mistake, and he praised Richard’s professionalism.

“Jalen’s fumble was clearly a key play within the sport. We had a play arrange, I believe, for giant yardage,” Gruden instructed reporters after the massive win. “We have been gonna get a primary down there, I imagine. It seemed good. Sadly, he simply mishandled it.

“You actually acquired to tip your hat to Richard. To return again and make a play like he did to redeem himself. And that’s what knowledgeable has to do. You gotta have a thick pores and skin. [Offensive coordinator] Greg Olson confirmed a variety of confidence to present him one other shot.”

It wasn’t simply the teaching workers that confirmed confidence in Richard, his teammates did, as properly. For starters, the protection didn’t grasp their heads after Richard’s fumble, forcing the potent Saints offense to punt as soon as once more, giving Richard his likelihood for redemption.

However that doesn’t imply the error was simple to combat by way of.

“It’s at all times a downer while you make a mistake on the sector,” Richard instructed reporters after the sport. “However we at all times discuss snapping clear. All my teammates have been behind me. I’m glad the teaching workers and my teammates acquired religion in me to present me that play once more.”

Whereas Gruden gave credit score to Richard, and rightfully so, after all, he additionally gave credit score to Olson, which can also be clearly justified. However some credit score additionally goes to Gruden. He’s traditionally fast to bench a working again after such a mistake. Richard doesn’t get many carries, making it simpler to sit down him down.

So Gruden confirmed religion in Richard, too. For the reason that diminutive participant is likely one of the few which have survived Gruden’s three-year roster purge, that’s no shock.

But it surely was a shock to see Richard in there once more, working the identical actual play he had tousled earlier. It’s fortuitous that he acquired the prospect — and never just for this sport. It’s a protracted season, and Las Vegas will want contributions from in all places. Richard’s rejuvenated confidence will assist him make extra performs for his trusting head coach, Jon Gruden.