The Raiders have a lot to be proud of despite being defeated by the Chiefs Sunday night. The Silver and Black had the defending champions on the ropes with less than two minutes to go in the game.
But despite falling short, and even with Derek Carr's "almost flawless" performance, Coach Gruden said on Monday that he sees room for improvement moving forward — primarily with the defense and the way he coached Sunday's game.
"We didn't play well enough on defense," said Coach Gruden. "We can make a lot of excuses and legitimate excuses for that: We're missing some key players. We have a young secondary. We have guys that didn't practice. We're playing the world champions coming off a Bye Week. We can make all kind of excuses.
"We, I say we, me included, gave up 36 first downs, and we didn't get it done. We have to play a lot better because Atlanta, the team we're about to play, is capable of doing the same thing. They're very talented."
The matchup this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons will pit Jon Gruden against his former assistant coach and good friend Raheem Morris. Morris became interim head coach for the Falcons following the firing of Dan Quinn after a 0-5 start. The Falcons have posted a 3-1 record since Morris took the reins.
Morris was a defensive backs coach under Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay for six seasons. Going up against the coach he highly respects is what Gruden is the most excited for going into Atlanta.
"Raheem Morris, a guy that I have a lot of history with, I know he's going to have his team ready to play. He wants that head coaching job and he might just darn sure deserve it the way I know him and the way this team is playing. They're flying around, they have a lot of talent. This team was recently in the Super Bowl. They had a tough start — they lost some games in head-scratching fashion — but they're still playing hard and they're still a formidable opponent."
"Raheem is a heck of a coach. He's a great guy and he knows the game inside-out. I pull for him every week except this week. I can't wait to see him. I can't wait to compete against him, and like I said a minute ago, I know he's going to have those guys ready."
View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
A view of Allegiant Stadium, the stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) arrives to the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) arrives to the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) arrives to the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Las Vegas Raiders tight ends huddle during warm ups before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams returners huddle before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end David Irving (95) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6), kicker Daniel Carlson (2) and long snapper Trent Sieg (47) huddle during warm ups before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) wait to be introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) warming up before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Las Vegas Raiders during the national anthem before the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61), tackle Denzelle Good (71) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates after a 2-yard touchdown run during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) returns a kickoff during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a 17-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a 17-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates after making a 17-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) eyes the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) intercepts a pass during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) returns a punt during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play in the huddle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a 1-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a 1-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks off during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
