Six punts for 283 yards with a long of 63 yards. And 30 plays for 95 total yards with a long of 14 yards.
The first set of numbers above are punter AJ Cole III’s stat line. The second, the Las Vegas Raiders offense’s output in a 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. Cole, who is earning $4.9 million this season is most definitely earning his keep. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who is earning an average of $6 million per season as play caller, is not.
And watching Cole generate more yards than Kelly’s group in a deflating AFC West loss is but just Exhibit A of the levels of ineptitude the Raiders are reaching in the Pete Carroll era.
“This was a game I didn’t see coming,” Carroll said after the lopsided defeat.
Suffice it to say, a lot of folks likely didn’t see rookie running back Ashton Jeanty — who had shown improved play and signs he can shoulder much of the team’s offense — having the exact number of carries that Cole had in terms of punts: Six. Jeanty finished with six totes for 21 yards (a paltry 3.5 yards per carry average) and a long of eight yards.
Without wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers — arguably the two top pass catchers in Las Vegas’ arsenal — the Raiders inexplicably abandoned the run early and by the time the team went back to the ground, they were already trailing 14-0 as the Chiefs did whatever they wanted on offense.
“We came into this game really wanting to run the football figuring that would be a key element of this game but we just couldn’t get there,” Carroll explained. “We just couldn’t get in charge of the down and distance enough.”
Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is an accomplished play caller and the expectation was he’d throw an array of looks at Las Vegas offense. And while he did, the Raiders’ inability to have cohesion in both play calls and player execution was just too much for the Silver & Black to overcome. At the end of the game, Las Vegas managed only e three total first downs.
Flip the coin and Chiefs head coach and play caller Andy Reid had his way with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Reid’s offense racked up 434 yards on 77 plays — 282 yards through the air and 152 yards on the ground. Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Co. made a mockery of Las Vegas’ zone-based defense just surgically slicing it up to the point where it looked like an 11-on-11 session in practice.
And it’s these kind of embarrassing outings that have forced Raiders’ owner Mark Davis’ hand on coaching changes.
Does that happen again this early into the Carroll era?
Let’s hit the quick slants as fast as Chiefs outclassed the Raiders:
—Raiders quarterback Geno Smith didn’t throw an interception, but didn’t throw a touchdown either. He finished 10 of 16 for 67 yards. Backup Kenny Pickett played, too, going 2 of 2 for eight yards. He did fumble a snap, however, that the Chiefs recovered.
—Wide receiver Tre Tucker paced Las Vegas’ air attack with five receptions for 33 yards (long of 14). Rookie wideout Jack Bech hauled in two passes for 13 yards and Jeanty had one grab for 13 yards. Rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. had a catch for 13 yards but it was wiped out by a holding penalty.
—Four Raiders defenders finished with 10 or more total tackles: Linebackers Elandon Roberts (18), Devin White (16) and safeties Jeremy Chinn (10) and Isaiah Pola-Mao (10). Linebacker Jamal Adams recorded the lone sack of the afternoon for Las Vegas’ defense.
—Mahomes finished 26 of 35 for 286 yards and three touchdowns. He was rarely pressured and was a smooth operator distributing the ball with precision. His top target, to no surprise, was tight end Travis Kelce (three catches for 54 yards) while returning wideout Rashee Rice had seven receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns).
—Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco paced Kansas City’s ground attack with 15 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown (long of 11). Rookie Brashard Smith added 14 totes for 39 yards and Mahomes scrambled four 28 yards on four carries.
—After not being called for a single penalty in Week 6, Kansas City drew five flags for 38 yards. Las Vegas, meanwhile, committed eight infractions for 58 yards. And, lastly, the time of possession was as lopsided as the effort from both teams. Kansas City had the ball for 42:08 while Las Vegas had it for 17:52.
Quote Of Note
“They’re a terrific team. They did everything like they do. And they played really well in all phases, and they kept us totally at bay. We couldn’t make a first down and couldn’t get off the field. They just did like they do.”
—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll on the Kansas City Chiefs
Up Next
The Raiders (2-5 overall) have a much-needed reprieve with a bye week. It’s ample time for Las Vegas to get Meyers, Bowers, and others healthy. Perhaps some roster tinkering if the team believes safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. or quarterback Aidan O’Connell are good to return from injured reserve. Or maybe assess some trades before the NFL’s deadline of November 4.The Raiders return to action on November 2 hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) who are also headed into a bye week after a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (5-2) in London.
See More:
