Klint Kubiak is no longer perfect as an NFL head coach.
The Las Vegas Raiders entered Week 4 undefeated and with a chance to take command of the AFC West with a win against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also entered the game without a loss. However, the Raiders fell just three points short, losing to the Chiefs 30-27, giving Kubiak his first loss. As is customary on Monday morning sports talk shows, the head coach will likely face a lot of criticism for two plays/decisions.
The first game was during
the opening possession of the third quarter. Las Vegas kicked a field goal to extend its lead to six points. However, an illegal formation penalty by Kansas City left the head coach with a decision to make: leave the points on the board, or gamble by taking the penalty and going for it on fourth and two. In typical Vegas fashion, Kubiak put all of his money on black, and the roulette ball landed on red, with the Chiefs making a big stop to keep it a three-point game. Hindsight being 20/20, that’s a tough pill to swallow in a three-point loss.
But the Raiders still had a chance to pull off a miraculous comeback. However, the offense scrambled to get a play off with 10 seconds left and looked completely disjointed, leading to an interception from Kirk Cousins to seal the Silver and Black’s fate.
Kubiak discussed both situations during his post-game press conference, taking accountability by saying he “blew it,” as the internet reacts to Las Vegas’ first loss of the 2026 campaign.
The Raiders have also been struggling to run the ball over the last three games, Sunday included, with just 72 rushing yards and 2.8 ypc as a team. Kubiak was asked about that as well.
The Raiders certainly let this one slip through their hands, but this team is already exceeding expectations if we’re upset about a three-point loss to a Super Bowl favorite for first place in the AFC West.
A few thoughts from our community chat (click the links/quotes below to join the conversation):
- Chiefs played a helluva game and we still made it competitive to the end. Finally losing the turnover battle was the downfall. But this team is obviously on the right path for the first time in 25 years. I can’t even be mad. — ResDog
- In the end it’s not about beating KC, it’s about winning SB. Beat KC next time and in AFC title game if so. But might never see them again too aside from the next game. Beat New England Cheatriots next. That’s what’s important, atm. — Njccc
- Game of inches, right? The punt returner should have gone straight then down, Laube should have fair caught-too much distance to go, Tucker-catch the ball. Despite all of this we had a chance and shoulda/coulda won. 175 yards rushing indeed killed us plus they made more deep plays. Either way, great effort by our Raiders. Let’s see how they respond next week against those darn Cheats. — NC Hellrazors
- The game was won and lost in the run game and kicking game and the points we took off the board, im concerned about the Oline not run blocking good enough, cant win that way, need a road grader to open holes up in the middle, where is it? Lindy isn’t enough. — LBRaider1
- The more I see Kirk getting hit and still get up and keep us in the game the more it justifies the decision to sit Mendoza for the year. — Cesar Acosta
Raider Nation, take the conversation everywhere!
The SB Nation app keeps you connected to fellow Raiders fans before, during and after every game.
- Join the live game-day chat
- Enjoy fewer ads
- Move seamlessly between communities and conversations
- Comment and post faster
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
