O'Connell Calmly Handling Roller Coaster of a Season

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell's calm demeanor has been noticeable this season as the rookie has faced one of the most unique situations in the NFL.

On Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders became the first team in the National Football League to win a game without completing a pass after the first quarter in more than 20 seasons. 

The Raiders became only the fifth team to win on the road against the Chiefs without scoring an offensive touchdown in 50 years. 

The Raiders were playing on the road against a team they lost to the previous six times they faced each other, with unfavorable weather conditions and a rookie quarterback. 

While the offense's performance wasn't the best, Las Vegas could have found a way to lose another double-digit lead to the Chiefs, but rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell and Las Vegas' offense did just enough to secure the victory. 

“Obviously, I didn't have my best game, and we didn't do much offensively in the last game," O'Connell said. "Like I said, after the game, I think I missed some opportunities that were there. Again, it's week to week. You've got to try to improve as much as possible and try to execute on Sunday, or whenever the game comes around.” 

O'Connell might not have completed a pass after the first quarter, but sometimes, a game manager's job is not to derail the offense with bad passes or turnovers. 

Monday was as much about what O'Connell didn't do as what he did. He has leaned on his preparation to help calm any nerves during a game.

"I think a lot comes from preparation," O'Connell said. "I try to be somebody who the guys look to as someone who works really hard. I try to do extra as much as possible. Not so they can see me, but just because I know I need to. Whenever the game comes around, and it’s third-and-eight, or whatever it is, I want to be confident that I put in all the work needed to be ready for that moment." 

The Las Vegas Raiders needed a steady hand at quarterback. It hasn't always been pretty, but Aidan O'Connell has been just that.  / © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

As they have all season, O'Connell and Las Vegas' offense will continue to focus on the process of getting better and not the result.

“I think we try to worry about ourselves," O'Connell said. "And obviously, it was a great win for us last week, but I think if you just go based off results week to week, the NFL is so up and down.

"So, I think we try to stay pretty even keel as much as possible and not really based on the results from week to week, but rather how we're preparing, how we're performing, and all those things.” 

Poise is a necessity for any starting quarterback in the National Football League. It doesn't guarantee victories, but it ensures a sense of stability for a sorely lacking offense. 

O'Connell might not have done much to beat the Chiefs, but he did manage the lead the defense built well enough to guide Las Vegas to a victory. 

For a team that had blown double-digit leads to the Chiefs the last three times the teams played each other, O'Connell did something no Raiders quarterback has done recently. He held the offense together long enough to beat the Chiefs. 

The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year's Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Don't miss it on Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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