While they didn't get the desired result, the Las Vegas Raiders can take some pride in the level of energy and intensity shown in their 23-21 loss to the Houston Texans.
As the Raiders are still vying to break their now nine-game losing streak, they strung together a vastly improved collective showing. The team's top performers included running back Ashton Jeanty, who recorded a career-high 188 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns, and Devin White, who had a pass deflection and 11 total tackles to break the franchise record for most total tackles in a single-season with 160 total.
"The intensity that we played at throughout that carried over from special teams and defense and offense, ability to run the football and make some plays happen there," Head Coach Pete Carroll said Monday of his biggest takeaways. "That helps us in all ways, but I thought most of all, it was the intent of the guys to show who we are, and I was really fired up about that part of it."
Here's a look at top quotes from Carroll's Monday media availability following Week 16 loss.
On Ashton Jeanty's performance:
"He played a fantastic game. The runs that he had for the six and eight yards, or the five and six yards, were some of his best. He was tough as hell. He was fighting and clawing and scratching, and the guys were pushing the piles, and he was lunging forward. And eventually, like with a great runner, it happens and there's the space, and then he's gone. And so, I thought he played a tremendous game. We went deep to him a couple times in practice last week, and he made the same plays in practice. And the play comes up in the game – it's no big deal. And matter of fact, he made kind of a circus catch in practice one day on the same play. He's a big-time performer. He can come through and do what he's capable of doing in game time if you give him the chances, and that's what we're trying to do."
On the keys to the team's rushing success against Texans:
"When you can play to your kicking game and your defense and run the football, then things do fit. And that's a tremendous winning formula, not for us only, the game calls for it that way. There's guys [that have] been talking that way for a lot of years in this league on all levels. The game hasn't changed in that regard. So, it's really pleasing to be able to see that be in front of us, and it was really clear how obvious it was. And we were ahead. We were in the game. And so, we were able to run the ball and keep the feeling going that we can do what we need to do to make our first downs and all of that. Guys were coming through. We converted better on third down for the first time in a while, and it was part of the good feeling about how we were playing in the makeup of it."
On rookie Caleb Rogers' fourth start at right guard:
"Opportunity has been great for him. That was the first shot. He had a chance to get in there and get going, and he's battling. He's got a ton to learn. There's a lot of plays that he can get better at, but he's holding up. And yesterday was another one of those games."
On rookie cornerback Darien Porter:
"He's doing a lot of things well, and I mean, to take it to the other end of the spectrum, on the short yardage play that he has a chance on and the toss, they go his way, he played it beautifully and set the edge physically, started the opportunity for the guys to hit that thing and knock a third-and-one to a loss of two, couple, two, three yards. It was a huge play in the game for us, and he was right there on point, and he had a big tackle on special teams as well, a really nice tackle, again. So, his game is rounding. It's rounding into shape."
On defensive success against the Texans:
"I thought [defensive coordinator] Patrick [Graham] did a really good job with the defense on Friday, before Friday's practice, to make sure that we were in position to make the plays we thought we could make. And we had a terrific day on defense on Friday in that regard. And I thought that carried over. So, Pat had a big play in that. They heard it right from the heart all the way through the weekend about how we wanted to perform in this game, and I think we found a level that's the level that we need to maintain. And we've been there throughout the season at different times, and the games just didn't quite give us the chance that we wanted to. But it's in us, and that's really important for us to feel that right now."
On receiver Alex Bachman emerging as a returner:
"He's been amazing. He did this on his own. He has been knocked around and a lot of guys could have got discouraged or whatever, but as far as what we've seen, we've seen nothing but really productive, high-performance stuff throughout practice that just keeps reminding you this guy needs to be part of what we're doing. So, I've been on the Alex Bachman team for a while now supporting him and hoping he can get his chances and all that."
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.
