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Raiders End Four-Game Skid with 20-10 Victory Over Titans Behind Devin White's Two Takeaways

Linebacker Devin White's strip-sack and interception sparked a defensive revival as Las Vegas secured its first home win of the season at Allegiant Stadium.

6 min
Raiders End Four-Game Skid with 20-10 Victory Over Titans Behind Devin White's Two Takeaways
Linebacker Devin White's strip-sack and interception sparked a defensive revival as Las Vegas secured its first home winCredit · NRL.com

Key facts

  • Raiders defeated Titans 20-10 at Allegiant Stadium in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
  • Linebacker Devin White recorded a strip-sack and an interception, leading a defense with six sacks and three takeaways.
  • Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, adding 86 scrimmage yards on 25 touches.
  • Quarterback Geno Smith completed 17 of 23 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown, but threw his NFL-leading 10th interception.
  • Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, was sacked six times and lost two fumbles, one recovered by Tyree Wilson and another by Thomas Booker IV.
  • Tight end Michael Mayer scored his first touchdown since Week 15 of 2023 on a 4-yard pass from Smith.
  • The Raiders' defense recorded three takeaways and six sacks for the first time since 2002, per ESPN.
  • Las Vegas improved to 2-4, while Tennessee fell to 1-5.

First Home Win Ends a Month of Frustration

The Las Vegas Raiders finally gave their home fans something to cheer about. A 20-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium snapped a four-game losing streak and marked the team's first home win of the season. For a squad that had been its own worst enemy through the first five weeks, the performance was a reversal of fortune. The Raiders took care of the ball, forced critical turnovers, and avoided the self-inflicted mistakes that had plagued them. Coach Pete Carroll emphasized the importance of the turnover battle: 'There is nothing more of a factor than the football. When you get right down to it, there's nothing more important than that. If you don't give it up, you win 75 percent of the time.' Entering Week 6 with a minus-6 turnover differential — the second-worst in the NFL — the Raiders flipped the script. They finished with three takeaways and six sacks, a feat they had not achieved since 2002.

Devin White's Two Takeaways Shift Momentum

Linebacker Devin White was the catalyst for the defensive turnaround. With 6:12 remaining in the second quarter, White sacked Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, forcing a fumble that defensive end Tyree Wilson recovered at the Tennessee 2-yard line. Three plays later, tight end Michael Mayer caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith, putting the Raiders ahead 10-0. White struck again just before halftime. With 16 seconds left and the Titans in field-goal range, he intercepted Ward, preserving the Raiders' lead. The defense sacked Ward three times in the first half alone, with Jonah Laulu and Maxx Crosby also getting to the rookie. 'We've got to get our numbers back up where we're in plus for the season,' Carroll said. 'It's going to be a bit, but we're going to get there.' The Raiders' defense finished with six sacks and three takeaways, a dominant performance that set the tone for the afternoon.

Ashton Jeanty Anchors the Offensive Attack

Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' first-round pick, was the focal point of the offense. He finished with 23 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown, adding 86 scrimmage yards on 25 touches. His 3-yard touchdown run up the middle capped a 13-play, 70-yard drive to open the third quarter, extending the lead to 17-0. Jeanty's success was aided by right tackle DJ Glaze, who opened holes on outside runs. On the Raiders' first possession, Jeanty rushed for 31 yards on six carries, setting up a 50-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. Though the offense stalled on the next two drives, gaining only five yards combined, the defense and special teams kept the pressure on Tennessee. Quarterback Geno Smith completed 17 of 23 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. He connected with Michael Mayer for the score, Mayer's first touchdown catch since Week 15 of 2023. Wide receiver Tre Tucker added five catches for 70 yards. However, Smith also threw his NFL-leading 10th interception, a pass intended for Mayer that was picked off by linebacker Cody Barton in the third quarter.

Titans' Rookie Quarterback Struggles Under Pressure

Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, endured a difficult afternoon. The rookie was sacked six times and lost two fumbles, one recovered by Tyree Wilson and another by Thomas Booker IV in the final seconds. Ward did manage a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Martin-Robinson with 3:03 remaining, cutting the deficit to 20-10, but it was too little, too late. Ward's first fumble, forced by Devin White, set up the Raiders' first touchdown. His second fumble, on the Titans' final drive, ended any hope of a comeback. The Titans' only points before the late touchdown came on a 46-yard field goal by Matthew Wright late in the third quarter. Tennessee's offense struggled to find rhythm, with running back Tony Pollard managing a 17-yard rush and wide receiver Van Jefferson catching a 23-yard pass from Ward. But the Raiders' defense consistently disrupted the pocket, preventing sustained drives.

Special Teams Contribute to the Victory

The Raiders' special teams, which had been a liability earlier in the season, turned in a solid performance. Punter AJ Cole booted four punts inside the 20-yard line, including a 47-yarder that pinned the Titans inside their own 10-yard line, setting up Devin White's strip-sack. Returners Dylan Laube and Alex Bachman combined for over 100 yards in kick and punt returns, giving the offense favorable field position. The improved special teams play was a key factor in the Raiders' ability to control field position throughout the game. 'We've got to get our numbers back up where we're in plus for the season,' Carroll said, referring to the turnover differential. The win moved the Raiders to 2-4, while the Titans fell to 1-5.

Outlook: Can the Raiders Build on This Performance?

The victory provides a template for the Raiders to follow: win the turnover battle, generate pressure on defense, and lean on the running game. The defense's six sacks and three takeaways were a dramatic improvement from earlier weeks, when the team's minus-6 turnover differential was among the worst in the league. However, questions remain. Geno Smith's interception problem persists; his 10th pick of the season leads the NFL. The offense stalled for stretches, and the Titans' late touchdown prevented a shutout. The Raiders will need to sustain offensive consistency if they hope to climb back into playoff contention. For the Titans, the loss deepens their struggles. Cam Ward's rookie growing pains were on full display, and the offensive line's inability to protect him is a major concern. At 1-5, Tennessee faces an uphill battle to salvage its season.

The bottom line

  • Devin White's strip-sack and interception were the defining plays of the game, leading a defense that recorded six sacks and three takeaways for the first time since 2002.
  • Ashton Jeanty's 75 rushing yards and touchdown provided a reliable ground game, highlighting his potential as a first-round pick.
  • Geno Smith's turnover woes continued with his NFL-leading 10th interception, but he managed the game effectively otherwise.
  • Cam Ward's six sacks and two lost fumbles underscore the Titans' offensive line struggles and the rookie's adjustment to the NFL.
  • The Raiders' special teams rebounded from earlier miscues, with AJ Cole pinning the Titans deep and returners combining for over 100 yards.
  • Las Vegas improved to 2-4, while Tennessee fell to 1-5, with both teams facing critical questions about their trajectory.
Galerie
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