Raiders, Patriots react to all-time ending: 'I really couldn't breathe'
New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers gifted the Las Vegas Raiders a victory Sunday and provided the NFL with one of its craziest finishes ever thanks to an almost unthinkable lateral blunder.
Tied with just three seconds left in regulation, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson took a carry downfield before flipping the ball back to Meyers. The Patriots wideout then elected to make a lateral back to quarterback Mac Jones. However, the launch was plucked by Chandler Jones, who ran it back 48 yards for a Raiders game-winning touchdown.
What just happened?? The @Raiders win on the final play!! #NEvsLV pic.twitter.com/cmKNUuab1k
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022
The Raiders pass-rusher, who scored the winning touchdown, was one of many players and coaches from both teams to give his thoughts on the game's final play.
Raiders reactions:
"I was just trying to catch my breath. When I got in the end zone, I was just standing there (and) all my teammates was just pushing me in every different direction. I really couldn't breathe. I couldn't see much and I guess we had won the game. It was wild." - Chandler Jones
"Probably the most insane ending I think I've ever been a part of, but, we'll take it." - Josh McDaniels
"That was the best receiving play of the whole day ... because that stiff arm (was) clutch. ...That stiff arm was it." - Keelan Cole
"Have you ever seen an ending like that before?" - Mark Davis
Patriots reactions:
"That was me trying to make a play … trying to be a hero. ... I promise you, I will learn from this." - Jakobi Meyers
"The play started off with me with the ball. So, if I didn't pitch it back to him, Jakobi wouldn't have had the chance to do that. I take full responsibility for the play. I gotta know the situation. I gotta know what's going on in the game." - Rhamondre Stevenson
"I've got to tackle the guy. It's on me, and it's my fault." - Mac Jones
"The play didn't work. Made a mistake on the play. ... We've talked about situational football. We've talked about it every week. But, obviously, we gotta do a better job." - Bill Belichick