The Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) are falling deeper and deeper into the abyss as they suffer through an eight-game losing streak, but quarterback Aidan O'Connell gave fans a reason to smile in last Friday's meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Yes, the 26-year-old was apparently responsible for the back-breaking blunder that denied the squad a big upset win, but he helped put the Silver and Black in position to pull off such a feat in the first place. O'Connell hopes to do the same on Sunday.

Head coach Antonio Pierce says the Purdue alumnus is a “full go” for the Raiders' Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), per Paul Gutierrez, even though he missed Thursday's practice with an illness. Pierce dropped more good news on fans, claiming that wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle injury) will also be active in Raymond James Stadium.

Aidan O'Connell and the Raiders made strides vs. Chiefs

An offense that gained 434 total yards against the two-time reigning champion's lauded defense will try to build on its momentum versus the Bucs. O'Connell completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) on Black Friday, repeatedly funneling the ball to NFL receptions leader and rookie phenom Brock Bowers. He took full accountability for the brutal miscommunication on Vegas' final play, absorbing the substantial ridicule that sprouted from the vocal masses.

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Now, O'Connell will attempt to redeem the mistake and build on the promise he displayed in Arrowhead Stadium. The second-year signal-caller is likely not who management foresees being the starter next season, as the 2025 NFL Draft looms large in the mind of Raider Nation, but he seems to be the right man to finish the remainder of this season.

O'Connell has the adaptability and persistence that the team desperately needs right now. Collective disappointment is non-negotiable at this point. Las Vegas is long removed from its stunning Week 2 road win over the Baltimore Ravens. Once again, the franchise will enter an offseason engulfed in uncertainty. Though, just like last year, there is a possibility the campaign can end with a ray of optimism.

That demanding task falls on the shoulders of Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby and Aidan O'Connell, to name a few. The unheralded quarterback can prove that his career-day in KC is not a fluke when he sets his eyes on the Buccaneers defense.