We were going to learn something about the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs as they faced increased competition.
And, in the process of seeingKlint Kubiak’s team lose 30-27 to drop to 3-1, we certainly did learn something. First, we learned that this outfit isn’t a phony. The Raiders can play.
Sure, they didn’t make enough plays (for the first time this season) to win and they the Chiefs, in the end, were the better team. But the Raiders showed they belonged in a game that
had serious playoff-game vibes. They showed that they will likely be an AFC playoff contender and it with the first game of a tough eight-game stretch in the books, Las Vegas gave Kansas City and the rest of the league something to think about. They weren’t 3-0 just because they beat bad teams.
They nearly pulled off a second straight late double-digit comeback, but fell short.
But there’s moving forward, the Raiders proved that, while they are not going to go undefeated, Yes, they re for real in the first year of Kubiak’s tenure:
Here are some key aspects of the game:
Turnovers not there:
The Raiders led the NFL with nine takeaways after the first three weeks. They didn’t get any Sunday and they committed two turnovers themselves both in the fourth quarter. Last week, the Raiders got four takeaways in the fourth quarter. The line between winning and losing
No fourth-quarter magic:
The Raiders outscored their first three opponents 22-0 in the fourth quarter. Sunday, the Chiefs scored right away in the quarter and outscored the Raiders 20-14 in the quarter. Another line between winning and losing.
Run attack struggles for much of the game:
The Raiders’ running attack has suffered since Week 1. Sunday, they struggled most of the game and ended up with 72 rushing yards. 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.
Kenneth Walker crushed them:
The Raiders got their first look at Kenneth Walker in a Chiefs’ uniform and they didn’t like it. Walker was the star of the game as he had 177 rushing yards on 22 caries and two scores. He had a 76-yard run that turned the game in the Chiefs’ favor on the final play of the third quarter. Walker is a big reason why the Chiefs are 4-0.
Cousins pressured:
The Chiefs didn’t have any sacks Sunday, but they hit Kirk Cousins often. Yet, the 38-yaear-old hung in there threw for 365 yards and he threw two touchdown passes. He now has 11 on the season. Cousins wasn’t the reason why the Raiders’ lost.
So was Mahomes:
The Raiders were all over Mahomes and they had two sacks. He did hurt them with some deep passes, but Maxx Crosby and company made Mahomes work.
Taking points off the board:
The Raiders went down the field and converted a 41-yard field goal to make it 16-10 to open the second half. But the Chiefs were called for a penalty and the Kubiak went for it on fourth and two. The play failed at the Chiefs 18. Taking points off the board hurts. But the aggression by Kubiak was understandable. You have to get in the end zone to beat Mahomes. Kubiak said he didn’t regret the move in the eventual threee-point loss.
Tight ends take over passing game:
The Raiders’ passing game revolved around ight ends Brock Bowers (who played despite being ill), Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas. They combined for 16 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns. That may have to continue. The Raiders’ receivers aren’t producing much and Jalen Nailor suffered a concussion. With Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton on the injured reserve, this won’t quiet rumors about the Raiders trading for a receiver before the November 10 deadline.
Penalties not a problem again:
The Raiders entered the game leading the NFL in fewest penalty yards at 90. They had six penalties for 30 yards while the Chiefs were flagged eight times for 59 yards.
Gay has been perfect:
Free-agent kicker Matt Gay has been terrific. He was four-for-four on field-goal attempts Sunday and is 10-for-10 on he season. Not bad for a journeyman.
Kwity Paye quiet again:
Free-agent addition, defensive end Kwity Paye had a great Week 1, but he hasn;t made much of an impact since. He didn’t appear on the initial post-game stat sheet.
What a start:
The Raiders ‘ defense forced a 3-and-out on the first drive, but the Chiefs ran a perfect fake punt on a re-punt after a penalty. Yet, the Raiders then stopped Kansas City on fourth and 1 at the Las Vegas 49. Then, the Raiders turned around and connected on a long pass play for a score with Cousins hitting tight end Ian Thomas. It was a hell of a play call by Kubiak and it was Thomas’ first score in six years. It was a great answer from Las Vegas to Kansas City’s aggression and got the crowd in the game.
Laube is balling:
Returner Dylan Laube had a 53-yard kick return in the fourth quarter. He is leading the NFL witha 33.4 yard return average on kickoffs.
Streak continues:
The Raiders have not allowed a score on their opponents opening drive for seven straight games dating back to last season. It’s the second longest current streak in the NFL. This is the first team the Raiders have started the season allowing no scores on the opening drive in the first four games since 2018.
Kelce surpasses Raiders’ legend:
Kansas City star tight end Travis Kelce entered the game tied with Raiders’ Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tim Brown for seventh place with 1,094 all-time catches/ Kelce surpassed Brown in the first half. Overall, the Raiders contained Kelce, a noted Raiders’ killer who started this season hot. He had just two catches for 15 yards.
Rice hurt:
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice hurt his hamstring in the first quarter. That was a loss for the Chiefs.
Too many Chiefs fans:
Ys, opposing fans often take over Allegiant Stadium, especially Chiefs’ games. So, the sea of red was expected. But this was a huge game. The Raiders fans must keep their tickets. Expect a similar takeover attempt when the Raiders come back home in two weeks to play the Buffalo Bills. Bills Mafia travels well and this will be Buffalo’s first game in Las Vegas with fans allowed to attend.
Laulu inactive:
In a big of a surprise, defensive tackle Jonah Laulu was a healthy scratch. Second-year defensive tackle J.J. Pegues was active for the first time this season. Laulu was a key rotational player his first two seasons with the Raiders. Laulu played 30 percent of the snaps this season after playing 67 percent last season. So, he is falling out of the playing rotation, at least, for now.
