For a moment, it looked like the Las Vegas Raiders were going to beat the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. However, the Chiefs marched down the field and scored to take a 35-31 lead. In an attempt to make some magic happen, quarterback Derek Carr threw an interception before the clock ran out. The turnover was heartbreaking, but ‘DC4’ isn’t responsible for the team’s fourth loss of the year.
The Raiders needed to give Carr help and they didn’t
Nobody wants to see the game end in an interception. However, the contest wouldn’t have come to that if the defense had made some key stops. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s unit forced the Chiefs to punt and intercepted quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the first half.
Nevertheless, they weren’t able to prevent Kansas City from scoring in the second half. Leading 31-28, the Raiders needed to stop the Chiefs’ offense in their last drive but couldn’t. They drove 75 yards on seven plays without much opposition from the Silver and Black’s defense.
The defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs aerial attack
Mahomes went 34-of-45 for 348 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Chiefs quarterback is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL right now, but the Raiders’ inability to pressure him should be cause for concern moving forward. Their defense failed to record a sack and currently rank near the bottom of the league in quarterback takedowns. The secondary didn’t fare any better and let tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill run wild.
If the Raiders manage to make it to the playoffs, they could be a one-and-done squad. Derek Carr will put the team in a position to succeed, but as long as the defense keeps allowing opposing offenses to score at ease, they will hold the team back.
The Silver and Black couldn’t stop the run either
It wasn’t just the passing game though. The Chiefs running back bullied the Raiders’ defense. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire racked up 14 carries for 69 yards and two touchdowns and Le’Veon Bell added a six-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
It was telling the Raiders didn’t make any defensive players available after the game. It’s true they didn’t have much to say other, but they should hold them accountable nonetheless. As long as that doesn’t happen, this Las Vegas team will keep losing games like this one.
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Top Photo: Isaac Brekken/Associated Press