Post Game thread - no moral victories, But…

[Willmark]

Don’t believe in moral victories but the Raiders fought till the end.

In years past this team would have folded. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t mistake free but we just proved we can go toe to toe with the Chiefs this year.

[DeathStar24]

I know Spytek loves his picks as many of us do…but damn, a legit vet WR would be nice..I’m not talking an all pro…like a Jennings type

How Bowers can accomplish what he does with how weak the WR core is, is remarkable to me. On top of that no run game too.

[WNYRAIDER]

If not the best he is certainly up there.

The NFL is cyclical, even Bellichek faded at the end with the Pats. Is Andy going to fade anytime soon? Who knows but they are closer to the end of his run than the beginning. We're just starting.

...and Andy has already had his system in place for years, so new guys learning that system, and any tweaks as they go, is far different than a new system to everyone, and with only four real games in to it, I felt before the season that this offense would not even be functioning as was intended until another few, or so, games in to the season.
....aside from mistakes that cost us, it is clear that kk wants to will the running game in to producing, and with that as part of his plan, he will keep with it until it works, or until he has the right parts to make it work.
....that was a huge test, but despite the positive outcome of the last 3 weeks', is only the fourth game into this. ...stay tuned....

[Curay7680]

Passing on Denzel Boston for Stukes probably is going to cost us more games like this, hopefully Spytek learns his lessons.

and that is all I have to say about that take.

[WNYRAIDER]

How Bowers can accomplish what he does with how weak the WR core is, is remarkable to me. On top of that no run game too.

...I keep hearing about the lack of a number one, but we have one of the best tight ends in the league before we even talk about Bowers, who produces like a #1 wr.

[RI RAIDER]

...and Andy has already had his system in place for years, so new guys learning that system, and any tweaks as they go, is far different than a new system to everyone, and with only four real games in to it, I felt before the season that this offense would not even be functioning as was intended until another few, or so, games in to the season.
....aside from mistakes that cost us, it is clear that kk wants to will the running game in to producing, and with that as part of his plan, he will keep with it until it works, or until he has the right parts to make it work.
....that was a huge test, but despite the positive outcome of the last 3 weeks', is only the fourth game into this. ...stay tuned....

I agree. His system needs a effective running game to get into high gear. Our running game has been ass. You can see the play designs he has drawn up (it really should get us excited). When he gets better play from our guards and gets a true #1 WR (no star), we could be lethal.

[DeathStar24]

...I keep hearing about the lack of a number one, but we have one of the best tight ends in the league before we even talk about Bowers, who produces like a #1 wr.

I think it's only a matter of time until DC's figure a way to take Bowers out of the game plan and force someone else to beat them.

At the very least the run game has to get going or find way to get Jeanty and Washington in space.

[DeathStar24]

4th down call aside KC had more explosive plays and the Raiders couldn't come up with a turnover(s) like the previous 3 games and the fumble all but crippled them.

As for the 4th down. I didn't have a problem with it. You want to win in this league you get TD's in the redzone. Not FG's. Let's assume it's 30-30 going to OT none of us here knows how that would have turned out.

[NoThanksSir]

My immediate feelings after the game were mild disappointment mixed with optimism. Morning after I have to admit to mild irritation.

Don't get me wrong, I love the direction we're headed in. We finally have the right leadership in place, and I do believe we will be in the playoffs this year. That being said, this loss was entirely self inflicted, and this coaching staff's first major blunder. It wasn't just one guy, it really happened in all 3 phases.

1. Special Teams - These fumbles on returns need to stop. In addition it feels like no matter who we put back there they don't understand when and when not to catch the ball or call a fair catch. Lastly the playcall on the penalty where we dropped guys back for the rekick and they faked it...completely unacceptable.

2. Offense - I'm sorry but I take the points on 4th and 2. 4th and 1 (Tush Push Situations) I don't mind going for it. But you made it to a 3-0 record with sound fundamentals, smart football, and expert management of situational football. The team was "Pressing" as a whole after this. Take the easy lead and force the Chiefs be the ones to play with pressure. Allowing our defense the opportunities to make the turnovers they thrive off of.

3. Defense - Rob Leonard finally flew too close to the sun and burned his wings. Blitzing Mahomes Cover 0 is how he won his superbowls, you just don't do it against him. Let him beat you another way. Our pass defense wasn't horrible outside of some of our blitzing reps, and I'd argue this was one of the first games where Leonard didn't put his unit in the best position to succeed.


I want to couch all of this in that this is a young staff going up against a hall of famer in Andy Reid, and craft vet DC in Spagnuolo. They need to learn from this, because if you clean up a few needless errors we easily would have been 4-0!

[WNYRAIDER]

I think it's only a matter of time until DC's figure a way to take Bowers out of the game plan and force someone else to beat them.

At the very least the run game has to get going or find way to get Jeanty and Washington in space.

....from what I saw, we had guys open and the time to make those connections on at least some of those plays at least 4 or 5 times that I saw, and whether the guy at the other end of those passes, were they to have occurred, would have sealed the deal or not is an unknown, but I believe part of the challenge at this time is that defenses know by now, that, in addition to our focus on the running game, that KC is far more comfortable in the short to intermediate range passing game, and perhaps, in some part, due to not having a running game he can count on at this time.
...I do not think kk's insistence on making the running game work will change, and the dude is stubborn, as we have seen, but taking some of those shots to those open guys I saw yesterday would seem to only help in opening up the running game....
....I saw the safeties giving up on the long routes early, as though they were all but certain , that those were not going to happen, and with at least some of those I could see on my screen having been at times with a clean, or cleaner pocket...

[RI RAIDER]

Turnovers are always bad, but we have committed the worst ones (kickoff returns). After giving up points, you immediately give the ball back to the opposition in or close to the red zone. Those are back breakers. I will say that our team has showed heart and did not fold like a wet noodle like in past years. This team is resilient but it obviously has to be cleaned up.

[WNYRAIDER]

Turnovers are always bad, but we have committed the worst ones (kickoff returns). After giving up points, you immediately give the ball back to the opposition in or close to the red zone. Those are back breakers. I will say that our team has showed heart and did not fold like a wet noodle like in past years. This team is resilient but it obviously has to be cleaned up.

...and someone mentioned either above, or in another thread, but these guys need to be better schooled on when to just let a punt go, and possibly in to the end zone., rather than to field it
....specials teams hurt us yesterday.....

[heavyD]

It was a close game and ultimately the fumble was the difference. It's a far cry from some of the laughers we have endured over the years vs the Chiefs and make no mistake, the Chiefs needed their A game to win yesterday as the Raiders were right with them blow for blow. Still there are concerns as the only thing more surprising about the Raiders being 3-1 is how poor the run game is. Jeanty has been a disappointment but there have rarely been open running lanes and the RB's are being contacted in the backfield regardless of Jeanty or Washington getting the ball. Run blocking is the one thing that has not improved over last season and you wonder if it's a personnel issue as there's rarely any easy runs for Raiders running backs as the offensive line just can't create any push.

[Viper]

...and Andy has already had his system in place for years, so new guys learning that system, and any tweaks as they go, is far different than a new system to everyone, and with only four real games in to it, I felt before the season that this offense would not even be functioning as was intended until another few, or so, games in to the season.
....aside from mistakes that cost us, it is clear that kk wants to will the running game in to producing, and with that as part of his plan, he will keep with it until it works, or until he has the right parts to make it work.
....that was a huge test, but despite the positive outcome of the last 3 weeks', is only the fourth game into this. ...stay tuned....

Good post. After watching the game again, the O line is still figuring out run blocking and we didn’t give up any sacks even tho pressure got to Cousins multiple times. Penalties were down, also.

We are a young team with some talented players who are still coming together in a new scheme, both sides of the ball. We are 1 win away from beating our record from last year with most of the season still ahead. I can imagine Mendoza with a half season under his belt turning the outcome in our favor, but we must improve our run blocking no matter who is behind center.

Kenneth Walker was a huge factor in us losing. The guy is almost super human and we aren’t the only team he’s run up on. It’s almost impossible to game plan for him and Mahomes, pick your poison, but we did a good job on the latter. Leonard is showing out with less talent than most. Kubiak taking points off the board is one decision of many throughout a football game. He made most correctly and being a first year head coach, it was an impressive performance. One could say the fumble was our downfall more so.

We were extremely competitive, didn’t back down and fought hard, even when down 2 possessions. It’s not even a cup half full scenario, after 4 games and a 3-1 record, it is a cup 3/4 full. And in all 4 games had a chance at victory, even against a perennial powerhouse in the Chiefs. This loss did literally nothing in my belief we’re headed in the right direction. If anything it confirmed we are finally an nfl ready team every time we take the field in battle.

[Amish Cabal]

Lots of positives in this game.

We contained Kelce, what did he have, 2 catches? Contained Walker very well early... until we didn't. Mahomes spent much of the game on his back. Offense had some nice long drives. Kirk played well again. Not a single sack.

Two major mistakes: 1) Taking points off the board (Though I didn't hate it. Got to be aggressive vs Chiefs). 2) The ST fumble pretty much sealed it.

But the Raiders fought well, went toe to toe with a top team, and even though we lost, the league has taken notice. I'm proud of these guys.

[WNYRAIDER]

.....and I appreciate butlers efforts when on the field, at least, based on what I saw. on his more apparent impact plays...