3 takeaways from Raiders’ loss: Disappointing year turning into disaster
KANSAS CITY — The Raiders’ disappointing season is starting to look more like a disaster.
They lost 31-0 to the Chiefs on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the Raiders’ fourth defeat in five games and their second blowout loss in three weeks after a 40-6 setback against the Colts on Oct. 5.
The Chiefs (4-3) scored touchdowns on their first four drives and kicked a field goal on their fifth. Former Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew replaced Patrick Mahomes with eight seconds left in the third quarter.
Kansas City finished with a 30-3 edge in first downs, a 434-95 edge in total yards and a 77-30 edge in plays. The Chiefs also posted their first shutout since 2011.
Mahomes completed 26 of his 35 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Rashee Rice had seven catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns in his season debut after serving a six-game suspension.
Quarterback Geno Smith completed 10 of his 16 passes for 67 yards for the Raiders (2-5) before being replaced by backup Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter. Pickett fumbled the snap his first play of the game.
The Raiders played without tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (toe/knee) due to injuries.
Here are three takeaways from the loss:
1. Defense stood no chance
The Chiefs were on a different planet than the Raiders on Sunday.
Kansas City’s offense toyed with the Raiders. The Chiefs’ first three drives went nine plays for 92 yards, 17 plays for 84 yards and 16 plays for 94 yards.
Whatever game plan coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham drew up needs to be thrown in the garbage. Nothing worked. And there seemed to be little passion or attention to detail from the players.
It was a complete meltdown.
The Chiefs, in the first half alone, had 21 first downs and 275 yards. They got right back to work in the second half, going 65 yards on 11 plays to take a 28-0 lead after the first drive of the third quarter.
2. Where was the offense?
Yes, the Raiders played without Bowers, Meyers and left tackle Kolton Miller (ankle). But that’s no reason for the team to cave when confronted with adversity.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly forgot about running back Ashton Jeanty, giving the rookie just one carry in the first quarter and four in the first half. The Raiders trailed 28-0 by the time Jeanty got the ball on consecutive plays.
Smith looked tentative and settled for mostly short throws. His offensive line didn’t offer much protection, and rookie wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech struggled to shake free of defenders.
The Raiders’ 30 plays were the fewest for an NFL team since the Browns in 1999.
3. Bad football
This game showed how far behind the Chiefs the Raiders are.
The team has now been outscored 51-9 in its two games against AFC West opponents this season, after a 20-9 loss to the Chargers in Week 2.
The Raiders have some decisions to make as they head into their bye week. Do they strip down their roster and go with a full rebuild? The Nov. 4 trade deadline is looming. It might be time for the Raiders to seriously consider some moves.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
