Kirk Cousins answered his critics with a vintage performance as the Las Vegas Raiders ended their losing streak with a victory over the New York Jets.

At MetLife Stadium on Sunday, the Raiders - stuck in a four-game losing streak - got back to winning ways by securing a 38-33 win over the Jets. After Ashton Jeanty called out the Jets' defense earlier in the week, the game proved that neither team’s defense was up to snuff as both offenses moved the ball at will.

Cousins picked apart the Jets secondary to the tune of 19-of-26 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. His performance will stave off calls that had been steadily growing to insert Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick and future of the franchise.

But Cousins is the Raiders’ present. His third touchdown of the day, which came after Jeanty’s crucial 45-yard catch-and-run, saw the 38-year-old take the snap out of shotgun formation and float a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor, which put the Raiders up 35-30 in the fourth quarter after Las Vegas had been down by nine points at halftime.

Nailor’s score came on a critical third-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Cousins executed a play-action fake before finding his receiver, who finished with four receptions for 38 yards, on a crossing route, breaking inside Jets cornerback Azareye'h Thomas to score his first touchdown in silver-and-black.

“He threw it to his spot. It was just the perfect ball, and I wanted to make a play, so it was just amazing. I always try to go out there and play like it might be my last, and I’ve been waiting for this moment to come. For it to come in a road win like this, to have that moment, it’s special.”

In the eyes of Nailor, Cousins is the right man to be leading the Raiders.

“We have all the confidence in the world in Kirk,” Nailor said. “That's why he's our starting quarterback. He's a pro. He's been in this league for 15 years.

“Just his confidence, the way he talks to the guys, the way he commands the offense, it's just unbelievable. I'm glad to be able to work with him, and of course, we trust him to be the guy for us until whenever Fernando is brought in.”

When asked about Cousins’ interesting celebration, Nailor was tight-lipped. “I don't know,” the 27-year-old said with a laugh. “I’ve never seen that, so I don't know what that was. I want no part in that.”

The 4-4 Raiders are next in action against the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8.