The Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 loss at home to the Kansas Cify Chiefs was both eye-opening and a validation of things to come. While there is absolutely no reason to panic, in order to continue playing winning football, some questions and issues need to be addressed.
The rest of the NFL landscape is now seeing that the Raiders are for real. They are a well coached team that plays aggressively disciplined football. This loss was more about them not converting their opportunities and making a single mistake
than it was the Chiefs doing anything special.
The running game
The heart of Ashton Jeanty should not be questioned, but his durability can be. Jeanty has been playing hindered since the end of kickoff weekend against the Dolphins. Jeanty has always been the volume-type player who needs his touches in order to get going.
However, as other teams have tailored their schemes to sellout for the run his ailments have become more and more pronounced. The smooth sharp cuts are labored and gradual, he’s not forcing many missed tackles if any. Most notably absent is any burst through the hole to hit them when he sees them.
Those who have been around football understand when his preventative treatments wear off. He has replenished the treatment either during halftime or in-game, but it isn’t maintaining its effect for 60 minutes of football.
Mike Washington Jr. as explosive as he has shown himself to be during both the preseason and last week versus the New Orleans Saints, was swarmed each and every time he touched the football. Nine carries for 18 yards is hardly the production expected of him, given his previous success. Even though Jeanty is playing his heart out, with him being compromised, Washington may be called on to shoulder the load sooner rather than later.
The offensive line
Many factors contribute to the running game being ineffective. Equally the amount of hits quarterback Kirk Cousins is taking is both ramping and piling up week by week. Singling players out is an easy thing to do, however there are larger factors at play.
The left side of the line is underperforming as a whole, despite the phenomenal coaching job done by Rick Dennison. Left tackle Kolton Miller allowed George Karlaftis six hits on Cousins. The right side has been better at pass protection; however, numbers and superior physical talent over the course of the last two weeks have resurfaced issues thought to be corrected. Power can only take the Raiders so far when players are overmatched and outnumbered.
Without getting much of a push the rushing attack has suffered, and the timing of everything is disrupted. Opponents are displaying a complete lack of regard towards the passing attack. Consequently, opponents’ fresh and rotating defensive lines are maintaining a healthy advantage over the offensive line.
The wide receiver room
It’s time the Raiders picked up the phone and reached out to Arizona and Jacksonville to see what it would take to finagle Marvin Harrison Jr and/or Brian Thomas Jr. It is blatantly obvious, to the detriment of the team the only pass catcher worthy of schematic adjustment is Brock Bowers. That has to change. It’s far too early to be using the “P” word (playoffs), but with what the Raiders have shown, good-to-great production from the wide receiver position can certainly push them towards it.
Trey Tucker is not a big enough threat. An injured Jack Bech can’t provide dividends as a blocker in the slot or a quick-hitting slot receiver. Jalen Nailor’s most productive plays have been as a decoy and getting his clock cleaned on a hospital ball. Cody White’s blocking isn’t good enough and he’s still improving as a #3 option. Malik Benson has all but disappeared over the last couple of weeks. Dareke Young caught one pass on two targets yet failed to make an impact downfield blocking.
No disrespect is intended and perhaps this oversimplified look may be a bit narrow-minded, but a wide receiver’s number one job is to get open and catch the football. There just isn’t a lot of that going on right now. Donte Thornton isn’t going to come back on a white horse from the injured reserve list and save them either.
Both Harrison and Thomas were former first round picks and bonafide studs in college. They have also been nearly completely phased out of the lineup by coaches who didn’t draft them and don’t value their abilities. The fact that you could potentially get both of them for day 2 or 3 picks in the 2027 draft is something to capitalize on.
If for nothing else but to look the part and provide better decoys and take pressure off the offensive line and run game. Best case scenario two mid round picks bring in highly motivated players eager to resume playing at the high level they are capable of. Or even one of the two should make a sizeable difference in alleviating coverage on Bowers.
Is Kirk Cousins showing his age
Cousins, through the first ¼ of the season is still tied for the NFL lead with 11 passing touchdowns and had his biggest output yardage wise of the season. He’s been playing really solid ball, arguably some of the best in his career. However there are a few glaring shortcomings he’s been using smoke and mirrors to overcome.
Cousins was called out for being slow in training camp and walking in the field. He responded by sprinting unimpeded the next few days. That was cute, but when opportunities to run for yardage his team needed against the Chiefs or any other team arose, he either can’t or won’t do it.
Instead he has opted for some very poor decisions in throwing into coverage in the middle of the field. Sometimes off balance, or away from his body in ways that are inexcusable and fundamental No-No’s. Moreover, his ability to slide in the pocket and escape an initial rush has been satisfactory yet pushing the ball downfield to anyone other than tight ends remains a problem.
Driving throws beyond the intermediate outside of the numbers and hashes remains a point of concern. Managing games and completing high percentage throws is how he’s been able to be successful. However, declining pocket times and being hit in the middle of throws are causing him to miss open receivers.
As the hits keep coming, what kind of toll is it taking on his body? Against the Chiefs, Cousins was hit 10 times, including one that earned a roughing the passer penalty. He took a beating. How long can he continue to endure remains to be seen.
Rob Leonard got got
You can call a perfect game, and not get a perfect result. Somewhere between 85-90% of what Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard worked to perfection. Yet 98 yards and both touchdowns of Kenneth Walker’s 22 carries and 177 yards came on two plays.
Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy both gashed the Raiders for 55 and 41 yards respectively against cover-0. In short yardage pick plays and bunches crossed up off coverage and hit the Raiders for two touchdowns
The long and the short of it is, the Raiders did almost everything right, but against the Chiefs perfection is required. The Chiefs won because their situational football was better. A true learning experience for Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and his football team.
Tackling
One thing and one thing only was going to lead the Raiders to their doom and that was missed tackles. On one play, Walker broke five tackles, making the defense look silly. What quick-throw offenses specialize in is getting the ball into speedy receivers’ hands to make a guy miss or break a tackle and run a long way to score. Time and time again, the Chiefs’ ball carriers were able to make the first guy miss or break a tackle and turn shorter plays into longer ones.
What is the significance of this? In the coming weeks of the season, the Raiders will face the grind-it-out running game of the New England Patriots, the NFL’s reigning leading rusher, James Cook of the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams ‘ #7-ranked rushing attack.
All three phases
For two straight weeks, the Raiders have fumbled kickoff returns in critical situations. Last week it was Dylan Laube; this week it was Young. Under no circumstances should special teams players be putting the ball on the ground. The momentum boost it provides is, by all accounts, lethal. Against the New Orleans Saints, they overcame it and won; against the Chiefs, it cost them the game. Mistakes against quality opponents later in games are a reversion back to the “same ol Raiders.”
The offense and defense are playing too well for special teams coach Joe DeCamillis’s return units to be doing stupid stuff to put them behind the eight ball.
