Football is a weird business. One week you’re feeling like the gritty, blue-collar team that’s finally finding its identity under a new regime, and the next, you’re watching a punter try to kick a 57-yard field goal because your specialists are literally falling apart on the field. That was the reality for the Las Vegas Raiders when they rolled into Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2025.
If you looked at the final score of 40-6, you’d think the Indianapolis Colts just steamrolled a bunch of amateurs. But the Las Vegas Raiders vs Colts matchup was actually a bizarre study in how quickly a professional game can transform from a competitive chess match into a total house of cards.
The 10-Minute Ghost Drive
The game started in the most Raiders way possible. Pete Carroll, now leading the Silver and Black, had Geno Smith under center. They came out with a game plan that felt vintage: slow, methodical, and physical. They possessed the ball for nearly ten minutes on the opening drive.
Ten minutes.
That’s an eternity in the NFL. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty looked like the real deal, finding creases and making the Colts' front seven work for every single inch. But after all that sweat, the drive stalled in the red zone. Daniel Carlson chipped in a 24-yard field goal.
Three points.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Honestly, that was the high point of the day for Vegas. It’s hard to wrap your head around a team holding the ball for two-thirds of a quarter and only coming away with a field goal, but that lack of "killer instinct" in the red zone set the tone for the disaster that followed.
When the Wheels Actually Fell Off
Once the Colts got the ball, the vibe changed instantly. Shane Steichen has this Indy offense humming, and the wild part is who was leading it. Daniel Jones—yes, that Daniel Jones—signed in the offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson, has basically reinvented himself in the horseshoe.
He didn't need to be a superstar. He just needed to be efficient.
The turning point wasn't a long pass or a flashy run. It was a special teams nightmare. Segun Olubi burst through the line and blocked AJ Cole’s punt. Cole didn't just lose the ball; he hurt his ankle so badly he had to be carted off.
Suddenly, the Raiders had no punter.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
They had to rely on Daniel Carlson to handle punting duties, which is never a recipe for success. When you lose your All-Pro punter and your offense starts throwing picks—Geno Smith had two on the day—you’re basically handing the keys of the stadium to the home team.
The Jonathan Taylor Show
While Daniel Jones was busy being "The Efficient One," Jonathan Taylor was busy being a human wrecking ball. Taylor found the end zone three times. It wasn't just the touchdowns, though; it was the way he was finishing runs. He looked like the 2021 version of himself, punishing linebackers and making the Raiders' secondary miss tackles in the open field.
By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Colts had scored on six consecutive possessions. That tied a team record from 2001. Think about that. In the era of Manning and Harrison, they only managed that feat once. To see it happen against a Pete Carroll defense was, frankly, shocking.
The Raiders' defense, which hadn't gone a game without a sack in 40 straight outings, finally saw that streak snapped. Maxx Crosby was chasing shadows all afternoon. The Colts' offensive line, led by the evergreen Quenton Nelson, basically built a wall around Jones.
The Rookie Tight End Nobody Expected
If there’s one name from this game that’s going to haunt Raiders fans, it’s Tyler Warren. The rookie tight end has become a favorite target for Jones. He caught his first career touchdown in this game—an 11-yard strike that put the Colts ahead for good.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
It’s a bit of a "salt in the wound" situation for Vegas. The Raiders were playing without their own star tight ends, Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, who were both sidelined with injuries. Seeing a rookie on the other side do exactly what they drafted Bowers to do was a tough pill to swallow.
Why the Score Was So Lopsided
You might look at 40-6 and assume the Raiders just quit. They didn't. But they were playing a "math game" they couldn't win.
- Turnovers: Two interceptions by Geno Smith gave the Colts short fields.
- Special Teams: The blocked punt was a 14-point swing in terms of momentum.
- Red Zone: The Raiders went 0-for-2 in the red zone; the Colts were nearly perfect.
- Injuries: Losing your punter and having your kicker miss a 57-yarder at the half is a demoralizing combo.
By the fourth quarter, the Colts actually pulled their starters. Anthony Richardson, the supposed future of the franchise, came in for some "mop-up" duty and even caught a pass to himself for nine yards after it was batted back at him. It was that kind of day for Indianapolis. Everything they touched turned to gold.
What’s Next for the Raiders and Colts?
If you're looking for the "so what" here, it's pretty clear. The Colts are legitimate AFC contenders. They’ve managed to fix the quarterback position with a veteran who doesn't turn the ball over, allowing their elite run game to dictate the tempo.
For the Raiders, the Geno Smith experiment is under a microscope. While Ashton Jeanty is clearly a foundational piece for the future, the lack of explosive plays in the passing game is glaring. Pete Carroll has a massive rebuilding job on his hands if he wants to compete in an AFC West that doesn't forgive "ghost drives" and special teams blunders.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season:
- Watch the Colts' Injury Report: They lost DT Grover Stewart to a biceps injury and CB Mike Hilton to a shoulder issue in this game. Their depth will be tested in the coming weeks.
- Monitor the Raiders' Special Teams: If AJ Cole is out for an extended period, the field position battle for Vegas is going to be a nightmare.
- Betting Perspective: The Colts are currently 4-1 and undefeated at home. They are a "lock" at Lucas Oil until someone proves they can stop Jonathan Taylor in the red zone.
- Fantasy Football: If Tyler Warren is still on your waiver wire, grab him. He’s becoming the primary red-zone threat in Shane Steichen's system.