Observations from the Raiders’ Week 8 loss

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.

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.

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.