Raheem Mostert delivered a stellar performance for the Las Vegas Raiders during their recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, highlighting the importance of special teams in the context of a competitive season. Mostert, a 33-year-old veteran running back, made a significant impact, racking up 202 yards across five kick returns. His decisiveness and speed were evident as he executed two crucial returns that provided the Raiders with vital field position.
Mostert’s first return was a 54-yarder that set up a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter, while his second return of 51 yards occurred after the Jaguars had scored in overtime, placing the Raiders at Jacksonville’s 45-yard line. This allowed Las Vegas to score a touchdown, although they ultimately fell short with a failed two-point conversion, losing 30-29 in overtime.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll praised Mostert’s contributions, stating, “Raheem’s returns were excellent and put us in field position where we could score from there.” Overall, Mostert averaged an impressive 40.4 yards per return during Week 9, boasting a total of 13 returns for 421 yards this season at an average of 32.4 yards per attempt, far exceeding the league average of 25.8 yards.
Comparatively, the next best kick returners this season include Seattle’s Dareke Young (32.2 yards) and Washington’s Luke McCaffrey (29.6 yards). Tennessee’s Chimere Dike leads the league overall with 1,108 yards from 42 returns, further emphasizing the competitive landscape of kick returning in the NFL.
While Mostert has not carried the ball as a traditional running back since the Raiders’ victory over the Titans in Week 6, his willingness to step up on special teams provides a critical boost to the Raiders’ return game. Young running back Dylan Laube, who has shown promise with his own 27.4 yard average on returns, could greatly benefit from studying Mostert’s techniques and decision-making.
The game’s outcome also underscored the importance of special teams as a whole, highlighted by Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson’s missed extra point that could have changed the trajectory of the match. Carlson’s inconsistent performance—currently 12 of 15 on field goals—has drawn attention, especially since he approaches the end of his contract with the team. In contrast, Jacksonville’s kicker Cam Little made headlines by nailing a record-setting 68-yard field goal, which helped shift momentum toward the Jaguars.
Special teams often go unnoticed until pivotal moments like these arise, but Mostert’s continued excellence and Carlson’s challenge serve as reminders of their critical role in the game. As the Raiders strategize for the remainder of the season, solid performances in special teams could be crucial for their success.