Sunday 25 December 2016 01:32, UK
The Oakland Raiders beat the Indianapolis Colts 33-25, but lost Derek Carr after the quarterback suffered a broken leg. The Colts are eliminated from the play-off race, and slip to 7-8 with one game left this season.
In 140 Characters...
Carr injury mars a dominant Oakland display and will miss the play-offs. So too will the Colts, who fail to qualify for second straight season.
MVP
DeAndre Washington announced himself as a legitimate part of the Raider attack, with 99 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie showed great cutting ability and vision, and may be a bigger factor going forward, following Carr's injury.
Game-changer
Late in the fourth quarter, Matt McGloin, on in place of the injured Carr, tossed a throw into double coverage towards Amari Cooper. Despite the odds, the wide receiver came down with the ball, and the Raiders won their 12th game of the year.
Stat of the night
1933 - Since the play-offs began, no quarterback that won 12 or more games in the regular season has failed to start in the post-season. Carr will become the first.
The game
Indianapolis struggled from the first quarter, after a fake punt on fourth down was spilled by Pat McAfee. On their next drive, Luck's pass was picked off by safety Nate Allen, handing Oakland possession four yards shy of midfield.
The Raiders took advantage, using 12 plays to go 54 yards before Andre Holmes completed the one-yard pass with a diving catch into the end zone.
Luck hit straight back, finding Donte Moncrief wide open with a 24-yard catch at the goal line. But the two teams didn't stay level for long, as a 35-yard pass to Michael Crabtree set up Clive Walford, who span away from a tackle and over the goal line to score for the home side.
It looked as though the Colts might have taken the lead late in the half, but Luck's pass into the end zone was intercepted by Reggie Nelson, handing possession back to the Raiders.
Carr made good on the opportunity, finding Amari Cooper for a 34-yard gain, before throwing a lateral pass to Jalen Richard, who broke a tackle to run in for the four-yard score.
DeAndre Washington scored his first career touchdown on Oakland's opening drive of the second half, showing speed and agility to avoid tackles for a 22-yard run.
Washington then scored again, after T.J. Carrie recovered Frank Gore's fumbled ball, handing possession back to Oakland. Carr once again handed the ball off to the rookie running back, who made up another 22 yards, sprinting in to extend the Raiders' lead to 33-7.
Robert Turbin began the fightback with a three yard score, before Luck added a touchdown of his own from 11 yards. However, it wasn't enough as the home side held on to improve to 12-3.
The Raiders lost quarterback Carr late in the game with a suspected ankle injury. Early reports indicate it could be a season-ending setback, which would have huge implications for the team's Super Bowl hopes.
As for the Colts, the organisation will miss out on back to back post-seasons for the first time since 1997/1998.
