Finally, the Raiders return to the win column after defeating the Jets 38-33. It’s the most points the Raiders have scored in a game this season, beating the 35 points they had in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.
More importantly, this victory ends their four-game losing streak and gets them back on track for their playoff hopes. Likewise, this win is a significant morale booster heading into Week 9, when they will visit the San Francisco 49ers.
But before getting there, let’s look at the compelling numbers from the Raiders’ Week 8 game.
Kirk Cousins played his way into the record books
While his rushing touchdown is impressive, Cousins also threw 19 completions for 247 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. These numbers earned him a passer rating of 141, making him only the second
quarterback age 38 or older with three touchdowns, a rushing score, and a passer rating of 140 or higher.
Cousins also became the 10th quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to have at least three passing touchdowns in at least four of his team’s first eight games in his first season with the franchise. He’s also second in the league in touchdown passes, trailing only Joe Burrow.
A new RB1 in Las Vegas?
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. helped the Raiders by rushing for a season-high 83 yards on 25 carries. Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty had a 45-yard reception but finished with only nine rushing yards on two carries.
Could this be the moment that will lead Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak to flip the RB depth chart and have the rookie from Arkansas play most of their snaps?
Dylan Laube takes it to the house
Laube’s special teams gem eventually became the difference-maker that enabled the Raiders to break their slump. He became the first player this season to return a kickoff for a touchdown and the first player since 2011 to return a kickoff for six points.
In addition to his 95-yard TD return, Laube has five kickoff returns of at least 40 yards this season, the most in the NFL. He is also on pace to average the best single-season marks in yards per kickoff return (34.1) and starting field position (~38) among qualified returners in the NFL since 2000.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 3 crazy and memorable stats from the Raiders' Week 8 game vs. Jets
