HOUSTON - OK, so there's no such thing as a moral victory in the NFL. Got it.
But what about a quality loss?
Because while the final scoreboard showed the Raiders on the wrong end of a 23-21 game at the Texans on Sunday, there were a lot of good things that went down for the Silver and Black inside NRG Stadium.
And that's not to discount the Raiders dropping their ninth straight game to fall to 2-13 on the season (more on that in a moment).
For one, Ashton Jeanty had a monster game, the rookie running back looking like the guy the Raiders thought they were drafting at No. 6 overall.
For another, the defense flew all over the field and, oftentimes, made life miserable for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
But perhaps most importantly, a week after suffering their second 31-0 defeat of the season, a game in which the Raiders showed nary a pulse at the Eagles, the Raiders actually (wait for it) competed.
And against the best defense in the NFL.
How bad had it been of late?
When the Raiders went up, 14-13, at Houston on Jeanty's eye-popping 60-yard catch-and-run TD down the left sideline and Daniel Carlson's ensuing PAT at the 9:44 mark of the third quarter, it was the first time the Raiders led in a game since…
Week 11.
Entering the second quarter.
At home against the Cowboys.
On Nov. 17.
Yes, that oft-extolled maxim of embattled coach Pete Carroll - Compete! - came to life as the Raiders showed heart on the same field the franchise had one of its most heart-wrenching moments - the Divine Interception, Michael Huff’s game-clinching pick in the end zone when the Raiders only had 10 players on the field, the day after Al Davis passed away.
Yeah, these Raiders showed heart, albeit in a loss.
"I think we [just] ran out of time," said the Raiders equally-embattled quarterback, Geno Smith, who, despite throwing his NFL-leading 15th interception, a pick-six no less, had his best game since the season opener.
"Obviously, we want to win games. We don't want to just come close. I've never been the guy who just said, 'Oh, man, we came close, that's great.' That's not enough. But, [I'm] really happy with the effort of the guys."
What wasn't to like, besides the final score, of course (yes, I know that's why they play the game)?
Jeanty rushed for 128 yards, on 24 carries, with a 51-yard blink-and-you-miss-him touchdown in which he bounced off the pile, found a seam behind left guard Dylan Parham and was gone.
Throw in Jeanty's receiving touchdown - it was the longest TD catch by a Raiders rookie running back since Charley Fuller had an 85-yard score from Tom Flores against the Bills on Nov. 5. 1961 - and Jeanty now has 10 touchdowns, five each by air and by land.
Plus, with 1,154 scrimmage yards thus far, Jeanty joined tight end Brock Bowers (2024), running back Josh Jacobs (2019), receiver Amari Cooper (2015) and running back Marcus Allen (1982) with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards as a rookie.
But wait, there's more…
Jeanty's 188 scrimmage yards against the Texans were the second-most in a game by a Raiders rookie, behind Bo Jackson's 235 scrimmage yards at the Seahawks on Nov. 30, 1987.
Have I mentioned Jeanty did all of this against the league's No. 1-ranked defense?
Sure, Jeanty felt good about his showing, but he wasn't about to celebrate too much. Not with the final score being what it was. And that just shows a certain maturity.
"I've said it before, I want to win," he said. "Whether I have a big game and we lose, or I have a bad game and we lose, I'd rather win, any day of the week."
Bowers catching his seventh TD of the season, his fourth in the last four games, was another bright spot. Same with second-round draft pick Jack Bech catching a pair of passes for 43 yards.
Defensively, edge rusher Maxx Crosby blew up two plays behind the line of scrimmage and had an epic chasedown of Nick Chubb 30 yards downfield.
It all showed there is talent on this roster. And…
"This shows us how good we can be if we go out there and execute, and put our guys in the right position," Jeanty added, "so we can play with anybody."
On one hand, it's bittersweet because it's all too late, right?
On the other…the unmentionable I promised we'd get to later:
The loss kept the Raiders in line for a top 2 draft pick and Sunday's home game against the Giants, the only other team in the league with a 2-13 record, will draw more than morbid curiosity.
After all, if you can add a consensus top draft pick - or get the flexibility to add even more pieces courtesy of said top pick - to a roster with the promise shown in Houston, now we're talking.
"It's just unfortunate there's not five, six, seven or eight wins in here that should have accompanied this season right now," Carroll said. "It blows me away that this is the situation we're in because I have no space in my brain for this. Maybe it had to be this hard. I don't know, we'll see."
Quality losses will make you see things differently.
View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty's (2) jersey in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers' (89) pads in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam's (67) helmet in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and running back Raheem Mostert (31) arrive to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) arrives to the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Brenden Rice (82) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant defensive line coach Kenyon Jackson and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) in a huddle before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) signs autographs for fans before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle in the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) with a fan before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) warming up before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) waits for the team to be introduced onto the field before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders wait to be introduced onto the field before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the sidelines before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the sidelines before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the sidelines before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the sidelines before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders walk out to the center of the field for the coin toss before the regular season away game against the the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the coin toss before the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) defends during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) rushes during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) returns a kickoff during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) and safety Jeremy Chinn (11) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) defends during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) and cornerback Eric Stokes (22) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) celebrates with defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) goes for a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) celebrates after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) goes for a 7-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) makes a 7-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates with guard Caleb Rogers (76) after making a 7-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22), safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) returns a kickoff during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense huddles during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) blocks during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and linebacker Devin White (45) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) breaks up a pass during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) celebrates after breaking up a pass during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) returns a kickoff during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) goes for a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with wide receiver Jack Bech (18) after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with linebacker Devin White (45) after making a 60-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) celebrates with linebacker Devin White (45) after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) blocks during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 51-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 51-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 51-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 51-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates after rushing for a 51-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) celebrates on the field during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
