Raiders week started off weird. Then it was weird in the middle. So, of course, the ending was weird. This game had everything— game-changing penalties, turnovers, a fake punt, and a controversial play at the end. The personnel decisions and short-yardage play calls were mind-boggling, and momentum shifted rapidly in Las Vegas.
The unexpected should be expected in these division rivalry games. Scores are always close, and the results can be contradictory.
Here are some Kansas City Chiefs who stood
out in a back-and-forth, too-close-for-comfort win over the Las Vegas Raiders:
Winners
Defensive end George Karlaftis: The Chiefs didn’t officially log a single quarterback sack on Sunday — but that doesn’t mean they weren’t getting after Kirk Cousins. Karlaftis played like a man possessed in the second half, finishing with 6 QB hits, a batted pass, and a huge tackle for loss. He also had a sack just before the two-minute warning, but a L’Jarius Sneed holding penalty wiped it out.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Mahomes took a beating all afternoon (two sacks and eight hits), but kept firing. He completed a nice deep ball to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, setting up an easy TD to Thornton. He also extended a drive with a run through a linebacker on the sideline. Mahomes is thriving in this newly-balanced offense.
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton: The heartbreaking ending doesn’t take away from what Tyquan Thornton accomplished this week. After the injury to Rashee Rice, Thornton had a career game—five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns—all in big situations. I’m not sure the Chiefs would have stayed undefeated without Thornton.
Cornerback Mansoor Delane: The kid is going to be a star. Delane remains tough in coverage, and even tougher as a tackler. He blew up a screen, then blanketed tight end Brock Bowers on consecutive plays in the first half. Mansoor finished with ten total tackles and is quickly earning respect across the league.
Punter Matt Araiza: It’s not often a punter makes this list. But Matt Araiza was a serious factor in Las Vegas on Sunday. He converted a first down on a fake punt, and pinned the Raiders inside the 20 on all five of his kicks. “Punt God” is leading the NFL in gross and net yardage and would lead the NFL in yards per rush (12) if he had more opportunities.
Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah: Sure, Felix had a roughing-the-passer call that helped extend the Raiders’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive. But he also had several big pressures and hits, including a tackle for loss. FAU is developing into a solid rotational defensive end.
Running back Kenneth Walker III: The best free agent acquisition in the NFL has been a complete and total game changer for this offense. Yes, he was stopped on a few ill-fated short-yardage runs — but he also broke free for the league’s longest run so far this season (76 yards). When it was time to put the game away, K9 helped close things out with two touchdowns in 20 seconds.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill: It’s been a weakness for the Chiefs, but Tranquill really showed up against the Raiders. He was a force against the run (2 TFLs) and the pass (a PBU and a QB hit).
Losers
Linebacker Nick Bolton: The Raiders’ first scoring drive featured two pass plays where No. 32 was lost in space, including a TD on blown coverage. Yes, Bolton made plays in the run game as always, but teams seem to target these linebackers when they try to cover tight ends. The Raiders had tremendous success (16 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns) with three of theirs (Bowers, Mayer, and Thomas). That wasn’t all on Bolton (we could give a dishonorable mention to Jack Cochrane, Jaden Hicks, Chamarri Conner, and Alohi Gilman, amongst others)
Cornerback Nohl Williams: Growing pains are expected for a second-year cornerback, even one who has played as well as Nohl. On Sunday afternoon, his costly penalties helped put two FGs on the board for the Raiders. It’s likely just a bump in the road— given what we’ve seen from Williams, he’ll be someone the team is counting on all season.
Offensive linemen Jaylon Moore and Mike Caliendo: In the strangest decision of the day, Andy Reid benched a steady (and improving) piece of the protection in front of Patrick Mahomes. Without their starting left guard, the staff leaned on Caliendo— and the results weren’t great. Moore didn’t fare much better on the right side—our hope is that the team can reshuffle the deck during their bye week.
Note: Applying the label “losers” is not meant as a judgment on the talent or character of any of these individuals. It’s simply a way to grade their performance in a single game. No disrespect should be inferred.
