Jackson and Carr have found rhythm in time for Raiders

LAS VEGAS (AP) – DeSean Jackson tortured NFC East teams for years after playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington for 11 of the first 13 years of his career.

Advantage, Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old Wideout, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, sparked the Raiders offensive on Thanksgiving with a 36:33 win over the Dallas Cowboys to help Las Vegas suffer a streak of three games. He’ll try to translate that momentum into a critical home game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday.

The Raiders (6-5) are one game behind the first-placed Kansas City Chiefs in AFC West, who are second with the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.

Jackson, who was signed on November 8 to replace Henry Ruggs III and provide quarterback Derek Carr with a deep ball threat, has slowly grown used to the system of offensive coordinator Greg Olson and eventually became an integral part of the Dallas deployed.

“Every time I’m able to get on the field, I just look forward to doing great things for my team,” said Jackson, who caught three passes for 102 yards, including a 54-yard catch -and-run TD against the cowboys. “Playing in this league, knowing how big the games are going to be, and of course playing for (Washington) and leaving, the way I think about the teams I’m leaving that I once played for, I always have feel like I have to play extra hard because you had a chance to keep me and you didn’t. “

Jackson’s 34 career touchdowns of 50 yards or more are two just short of Jerry Rice’s record. He’s had the most receptions at 20 or more airyards since 2000 at 125, 14 more than Julio Jones.

The fast Jackson also ranks fifth all-time with 136 catches of 25 yards or more.

After Jackson spent 25 snaps together on the field in his first two games with Las Vegas, including a fumble at his lone reception, Jackson played 42 snaps against the Cowboys and certainly brought a lot more to the team than just his three catches.

With Carr’s usual # 1 target, tight end Darren Waller, who left the game and is now performing from week to week, the quarterback proved he can thrive with other weapons thanks to Jackson opening up the offense to receivers like Hunter Renfrow , Zay Jones and Bryan Edwards as he gives running back Josh Jacobs some breathing space from the backcourt.

“His level of comfort, obviously being able to play a full game since he’s been here, is much greater now,” said Olson. “We just felt like this game against Dallas was a game he was ready to play a much bigger role. And it worked out well for us. “

Indeed, when Renfrow finished with eight receptions for 134 yards – both season highs – while Jones had five catches for 59 yards, also season bests. Jacobs, meanwhile, stormed to a season high of 87 yards with 22 carries.

“To give him the right number of games to get a chemistry with Derek it took me a little time in my opinion and hopefully things can get a little better every week,” said interim coach Rich Bisaccia.

On Sunday, Jackson will face a team from Washington against his former employer, against whom he has nine TDs and which is the most tied against all opponents.

And for Carr, who completed 24 of 39 passes for 373 yards and a no-interception touchdown in Dallas, he’s finally on the same page with a true veteran wideout to be sure to throw himself on after sharing the right look Has. and a guy who can change the complexion of a game with a big game.

“What we saw in the game against Dallas was that he was more on the field and had more opportunities,” said Carr. “That means that he can just handle it more and be more in the system and play more. I think that he can do that, of course, gives us the margin that we will need so that everyone else is also active. “

NOTES: Jackson said he had a leg cramp but didn’t think it was “too serious.” … Waller and DE Carl Nassib missed their second training session in a row with knee injuries. … RB Josh Jacobs was restricted in training due to an ankle injury. … DB Trayvon Mullen was assigned to return from the injured reserve. … WR Dillon Stoner and training team OL DJ Fluker were sacked. … S Kavon Frazier was added to the training squad.

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AP freelancer Danny Webster contributed to this report.

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