The game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football came down to some questionable play calling and bad officiating. It sounds like something so repetitive in this rivalry. A game that was a Monday night classic has more talk about bad calls and questionable coaching decisions than the actual game. It was an AFC West shootout where both teams made big plays and it went down to the last minute. A 30-29 victory for the Chiefs will weigh heavily on the minds of the boys from the desert. The loss brought some big concerns in the immediate aftermath, and these need to be addressed if the season is to be salvaged.
Can the Las Vegas Raiders hold a lead?
It’s only Week 6 and the Raiders have given up two games where they held a 17-0 lead. The first time it happens, you sit back and say, “Well, things happen.” All the same, for it to happen twice just boggles the mind. If it was any other organization besides this tumultuous one, I think the bewilderment would be higher. However, there is a reason the phrase “Raiders gonna Raider” is around.
In both games, the offense got off to a hot start and the defense was all over the field. At the same time, something changed in both games. It appeared both sides of the ball took a siesta and wound up behind on the scoreboard. The concern is a big one and leads to many questions. Why change what’s working? What is changing in the game and where are the adjustments? In the NFL, going up by three scores before halftime should be a point where the defense pins its ears back and the offense looks to make its contract incentives kick in. Unfortunately, somehow, it’s been “let’s show how quickly this becomes a dramatic game.” If the Raiders are serious about this season, they need to work on that right now.
Will they let Josh Jacobs close one out?
Josh Jacobs has been all about business these last two weeks. He followed up a career-high with another career-high. With less than a minute left and faced with a third and final timeout, the Raiders elected two pass plays and lost the game. With only needing about 15-20 yards, a run by a man who sliced up the defense through the first 59 minutes seemed like a logical choice, but it was not made.
The former Crimson Tide star has been productive throughout the year even though he wasn’t used as much in the first three weeks. This game was the moment to get it done and let No. 28 bring it home. Sadly, the opportunity was not given. Is Josh McDaniels lacking trust in Jacobs? Most believe the first-round pick is playing like a top-five back right now, and maybe the coach should let him show it.
The Raiders and Darren Waller
The newly extended tight end has been nearly invisible this season. He currently sits at 16 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers aren’t those of what many deem a top-three tight end. He’s done well in blocking, as evidenced by the fourth quarter run against Denver, where he opened a hole for Zamir White to rumble 22 yards. Again, though, that’s not what he’s paid for.
He left the game after six plays with a hamstring injury. Although, as mentioned, he’s been anything but a dynamic player. In Week 3, he had three key drops, including one that would’ve been a touchdown and, in turn, became an interception. You combine that with the other subpar performances and the concerns arise. This team has the talent on offense to be a big threat, but when one of the key pieces is not performing, it does show. The good thing is that the bye week is here. But will there be enough time to recover?
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images