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The Patriots lost a contest versus the Raiders on quite possibly the most boneheaded play in NFL history. After overcoming a two-score deficit in the second half, New England gave the game right back to Las Vegas.
With the game tied at 24-24, Mac Jones and Co. had the ball as the final seconds ticked off the clock. What happened on the final play of regulation still has Patriots fans scratching their heads.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson took a handoff and raced into Las Vegas territory. When the defense caught up with him, the back inexplicably lateralled to teammate Jakobi Meyers. Rather than go down and send the game into overtime, Meyers then heaved a backwards pass in the direction of Mac Jones.
The result was the worst-case scenario for New England.
Raiders pass rusher Chandler Jones intercepted the ill-advised toss, stiff armed Jones to the ground, and raced 50 yards for the winning touchdown with no time left on the clock.
The result left fans in a state of shock, with none being more stunned than those supporting the New England Patriots. One fan, in particular, is now going viral for his flabbergasted reaction to the play from the stands.
Tells the story in one video#Patriots #Raiders pic.twitter.com/pTVUV2gEo1
— TJ (@tjalbin1) December 19, 2022
After watching Stevenson jolt into opposing territory, the fan jumps for joy, but he quickly changes his tune after seeing the Patriot offense’s unsuccessful attempt at late-game heroics.
The reaction summed up the feeling of all of the New England faithful, with every fan asking. “WTF?”
The play will forever go down as one of the NFL’s worst, though both Stevenson and Meyers have owned up to their inexcusable decision making at the end of the game.
For New England, the loss is a shot to their postseason hopes. At 7-7 on the year, the team is now on the outside looking in at the wildcard standings. Those Patriots fans might be looking back on this play should their team miss out on the playoffs.