Bucky's Breakdown: Observations from the Raiders' Week 8 loss

Oct 29, 2024 at 02:00 PM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

BIG IMPRESSION

The Raiders engaged in a tight battle with the back-to-back defending champs that showcased the team's talent and potential. Though the Silver and Black registered a loss at the end of the day, Antonio Pierce can build on plenty of positives as he teaches this team how to win at the highest level. From avoiding costly turnovers to finishing drives near the goal line to mastering game management and situational tactics, the Raiders can take the lessons absorbed in this loss to help them win down the road.

KEYS TO VICTORY

It is hard to win games in the NFL when you leave points on the field in the red zone. The Raiders failed to cash in on a pair of prime scoring chances inside the 20-yard line, costing the team 11 potential points when they were forced to settle on a field goal and failed to convert on a fourth-and-goal after moving the ball near the end zone. The missed opportunities came back to haunt the Raiders when Patrick Mahomes and Co. were able to score touchdowns on three of their four red zone chances. Considering the game's seven-point margin, the Raiders' red zone failures were critical to the game's outcome.

MINSHEW MANIA

The veteran bounced back from a disappointing Week 7 performance with a more efficient and effective effort against the Chiefs. Minshew completed 24-of-30 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his success through the air, the veteran took five sacks and handed the Chiefs points with a fumble in Raiders' territory. In a game ultimately decided by a touchdown, Minshew's miscue was costly in a very competitive battle.

UNSUNG HERO

The return of Jakobi Meyers added more firepower to the passing game. The veteran snagged six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, operating as the No. 2 option in an aerial attack that features Brock Bowers. With Meyers providing Minshew with another reliable choice on the perimeter, the Raiders could move the ball, utilizing a more diverse passing game to keep the Chiefs guessing in crucial moments.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Raiders' inability to run the ball makes it hard to sustain drives or control the game. Alexander Mattison was held to 15 yards on 14 carries, as the Raiders mustered just 33 rushing yards on the day. Though the Chiefs entered the game as the NFL's fourth-best rush defense (90.5 rush yards per game), the Raiders' massive offensive line should have been able to create a push that enabled the hard-charging backs to pick up three or more yards in "gotta have it" situations (short-yardage) near the goal line. Without a dependable running game to rely on, the Raiders were forced to throw the ball extensively against the Chiefs' exotic defensive looks. The one-dimensional approach made it easy for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to create the "splash plays" (sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers) needed to win the game.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Raiders played well against Mahomes and Co. but did not get the desired result in a one-score loss. The defense routinely disrupted the former MVP's rhythm with changing looks and umbrella coverage, forcing him to play a "dink-and-dunk" game from the pocket. Though he completed 27-of-38 passes for 262 yards and a pair of scores, the Raiders limited big plays and forced a turnover that should have resulted in points. Although defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Pierce will chastise the unit for its third-down struggles (Chiefs converted 12-of-16 third-down situations), the defense played well enough for the Raiders to chalk up a win against a division rival.

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The Las Vegas Raiders line up before a kickoff during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.