While the Las Vegas Raiders came up three points short in the Week 4 battle for first place in the AFC West against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders are still in good standing when it comes to the division standings since the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers also suffered defeats.
Broncos vs. 49ers
Score: 24-14 Broncos lose
Key Stats:
- QB Bo Nix: 25/42 (59.5%), 214 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 2 carries, 10 yards
- RB RJ Harvey: 7 carries, 25 yards, 10 catches, 68 receiving yards
- WR Jaylen Waddle: 5 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
- LB Alex Singleton: 14 tackles, 1 TFL
- DT Zach Allen: 5 tackles, 3 QB hits
Denver’s offense is becoming an issue. While the Broncos scored 30 points in Week 3, one of their touchdowns was via a pick-six, and they’ve been held under 21 points in the three
other games of the season. Also, Nix and Co. have become known for slow starts, and the Ponies didn’t find the end zone until there were four minutes left in the game. This is a team that was a quarterback injury away from playing in the Super Bowl last season, but the 2-2 club needs a major turnaround to be a legitimate contender this year.
Next week: @ Chargers
Chargers vs. Seahawks
Score: 30-23 Chargers lose
Key Stats:
- QB Justin Herbert: 19/31 (61.3%), 189 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 6 rushes, 45 rushing yards
- RB Omarion Hampton: 9 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD
- WR Tre Harris: 3 catches, 60 yards
- DE Khalil Mack: 6 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack
- DE Tuli Tuipulotu: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 INT
The scoreboard is deceptive here, as the game was never all that close. The Seattle Seahawks had a 21-point lead after the first possession of the third quarter and seemingly took their foot off the gas. To the Chargers’ credit, they fought until the end and scored 10 fourth-quarter points to make it more respectable, but the hole was just too big to dig out of. At 0-4, it’s looking like Los Angeles will be picking toward the top of the draft this spring, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the organization hits the reset button in the offseason.
Next week: vs. Broncos
Standings
- Kansas City 4-0 (+41 point differential)
- Las Vegas 3-1 (+31)
- Denver 2-2 (-20)
- Los Angeles 0-4 (-39)
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- Raiders’ All-Time roster: “The Raiders’ offense consists of a trio of Super Bowl MVPs,” ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote. “Quarterback Jim Plunkett was named MVP of Super Bowl XV after throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff took home the award after his four-catch, 79-yard performance in Super Bowl XI.”
- Post-game media scrums: Hear from Maxx Crosby, Nakobe Dean, Michael Mayer, Tre Tucker and Ian Thomas after the game, via the Raiders’ YouTube page.
- 18 things we learned: “The Raiders’ running attack has suffered since Week 1. Sunday, they struggled most of the game and ended up with 72 rushing yards,” S&BP’s Bill Williamson wrote. “Ashton Jeanty, who looks like he’s still dealing with ankle issues, had 58 yards on 19 carries. He did add 68 yards on six catches. Rookie Mike Washington had 18 yards on nine carries. Kubiak said after the game figuring out the ground game is vital and he’s right.”
- Las Vegas opens as underdogs in Week 5: “Next up, the Raiders face the New England Patriots on the road. It will be their first early start of the season, which is always tough for teams in the West,” S&BP’s Marcus Johnson wrote. “…The Raiders are 3.5-point underdogs against the New England Patriots with an over/under (O/U) of 45.5.”
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