On a cold, blustery December day, the Oakland Raiders just couldn't fell the demons of Arrowhead Stadium.
A pair of first half interceptions, combined with just a little bit of Patrick Mahomes magic proved to be too much for the Raiders for to overcome Week 13.
Following the 40-9 loss, the Raiders now own a 6-6 record, and will have to rebound in a hurry as they prepare to welcome in the Tennessee Titans next Sunday at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Before we officially turn the page to Tennessee, here are five observations from the loss to the Chiefs.
1. JJ1K
Josh Jacob's stellar rookie season continued Sunday afternoon, as the University of Alabama product became the first Raiders' rookie in franchise history to hit the 1,000-yard mark in a season.
For so much of 2019, No. 28 has been the lifeblood of what the Silver and Black want to do offensively, and once again, that proved to be the case Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.
For almost the entirety of Sunday's clash at Arrowhead, the Kansas City defense had no answer for Jacobs, as he finished his Week 13 outing with 17 carries for 104 yards.
Following his big day, I feel like I must – once again – apologize for ever thinking that picking him in the first round was a reach.
Jacobs proves me wrong every, single week, and I couldn't be happier.
2. The Chiefs struck first… and didn't stop
Following a Derek Carr interception on the Silver and Black's first offensive possession of the afternoon, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs took advantage of the short field, going 47 yards on 11 plays to put up the game's first points.
Now, did Andy Reid's group get a little help in the form of Raiders' penalties? Absolutely, but nevertheless, the Chiefs struck first and didn't look back, eventually felling the Silver and Black by 31 points.
The Raiders' defense actually held their own for much of the first half – more on them in just a little bit – but the self-inflicted wounds, combined by with a potent, Kansas City offense, just proved to be too much for Head Coach Jon Gruden's team Sunday afternoon.
Mahomes, the catalyst for everything related to the Chiefs' offense put together another a quality outing, connecting on 15 of his 29 attempts for 175 yards and a touchdown.
3. The penalties were problematic
Once again, the Raiders didn't do themselves any favors in the penalty category, as they were called for a penalty on the opening kickoff, which proved prophetic for what was to come throughout the afternoon.
After having a hard time limiting the flags a week ago at MetLife Stadium, that troubling trend continued in Kansas City as the Silver and Black were flagged 12 times for 99 yards.
Against a team as dynamic as the Chiefs, you can't do anything to hinder your chances, and unfortunately for the Raiders, that's precisely what happened Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
To put it in some perspective, while the Raiders drew 12 flags, the Chiefs weren't penalized at all.
4. Kansas City won the turnover battle
Each week, the turnover battle is the game within the game, and following a pair of interceptions and a fumble on a kickoff, the Chiefs won said battle 3-1.
By and large, the Silver and Black have done a good job of keeping the football safe, but alas, that trend didn't hold true Sunday.
Not only did Kansas City take advantage of those turnovers – putting up 14 points in their aftermath – the takeaways themselves built up a wave of momentum that the Chiefs rode all the way to their eighth win of 2019.
Now, let's not forget that Trayvon Mullen secured his second interception of the year midway through the third quarter, but a questionable defensive pass interference wiped that play off the board.
Still, down 24 points at the time, it wouldn't really have mattered much in the grand scheme of things.
5. The defense kept the team alive…. for a while
When you play an offensive led by Patrick Mahomes, you know that giving up points is going to happen.
Well, give Paul Guenther's group credit, because although the Raiders flew home without a "W," the Silver and Black's defense held up for much of the first half, and no doubt gave the offense its fair share of chances to make plays.
From a Johnathan Hankins stop on 4th and 1, to some big plays from Maxx Crosby and Trayvon Mullen, the Raiders really did perform admirably on defense for a time, surrendering just seven points in the first quarter before the levees broke.
And unfortunately for the Raiders, when said levees broke, they broke in a big way, as the Chiefs put up 31 unanswered before a Daniel Carlson field goal gave the Raiders their first points of the day.
Take a look at photos from the Raiders' Week 13 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Raiders offensive line during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Raiders defense during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) and safety Curtis Riley (35) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85), safety Dallin Leavitt (32) and linebacker Will Compton (51) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) and long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) and long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Dion Jordan (95) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) during the regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
