FSM Essential Recap: Week 10- Raiders vs Chiefs

Both teams got off to a quick start moving the ball up and down the field in the first half, showing us why they are two of the more prolific offenses in the league. The Chiefs were able to find openings with screen passes as the Raiders’ defensive ends would over pursue upfield, causing open lanes underneath. Kelce racked up seven catches on eight targets while running back Darrel Williams had six catches, all in the first half. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on fire as he went 21-28 for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone.

The Raiders tried to keep pace, hitting six different targets as Derek Carr went 9-11 and a touchdown to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. But they fall flat for the rest of the half. Struggling to get much of anything going, the Raiders found themselves behind as Mahomes found wide receiver Tyreek Hill for two touchdown passes as the Chiefs went into the half with a 17-7 lead.

The Raiders started the second half with possession and put together a quick five-play drive that saw Carr finding wide receiver Bryan Edwards for a 37-yard touchdown, making the game 17-14. But the Chiefs answered right back on the very next drive with a scoring drive of their own that saw Mahomes throw his third touchdown of the night to tight end Noah Gray to extend the lead to 24-14.

After that strong drive to start the second half, the Raiders found themselves struggling to make plays and turned the ball. Carr threw an interception, and newly acquired wide receiver DeSean Jackson turned a big 38-yard reception into a turnover as a defender stripped him and fumbled the ball.

The Chiefs continued to pile on the damage with big plays as Mahomes stayed in the zone picking apart the defense. His skill position players found holes in the defense and picked up extra yards when needed. The Chiefs even converted a fake punt for a first down.

It is just one game on the road across the country, but the Raiders will need to get their offense back on track and figure out what to do at wide receiver.

Despite a much-improved defense throughout the season, the Raiders unit struggled as the Chiefs’ offensive firepower was too much to match. The Raiders just couldn’t generate any pass rush to disrupt their rhythm.

The defensive line has been a consistent bright spot for the Raiders this season. They were so adamant about getting up the field to pass rush that it left openings behind them, which allowed the Chiefs to pick apart the defense with screen passes. They held up well against the run, but passing-wise, Mahomes, the former MVP, was in the zone and couldn’t miss. Kelce and Williams both went for over 100 yards receiving, and Hill went for over 80. The Chiefs employed one of the Raiders’ tactics and spread the ball around as they had nine different players record a catch. Four of them found the end zone.

Near sacks and almost intercepted, the Raiders just couldn’t make any momentum-shifting plays to swing things back in their favor as they continued their struggles coming out of the bye week.