Raiders drop huge rivalry game to Chiefs, 26-15: Highlights, recap, final score
By John Buhler
The Oakland Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon in Week 14, 26-15. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and the final score.
The Oakland Raiders went to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon and played their worst football game of the season for three quarters. They were shut out by the arch rival Kansas City Chiefs through three frames before ultimately falling in the fourth quarter, 26-15. Oakland falls to 6-7 on the year, while Kansas City gets a rare win of late to improve to 7-6.
Kansas City maintained its lead in the AFC West, while the Raiders might have cost themselves a shot at the AFC playoffs with this dismal Week 14 performance. Oakland needed a great performance out of starting quarterback Derek Carr to win this game. The Raiders got anything but that in Carr’s worse game of the season until garbage time.
Carr completed 24 of 41 passes for 211 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His inability to get anything going in the passing game throughout most of the contest had this one in Kansas City’s favor throughout the afternoon. Alex Smith outplayed Carr from the opening kickoff and it showed in this lopsided ball game at Arrowhead. Carr’s struggles in Kansas City continue to plague him.
The receiving corps in Oakland took a big hit when No. 1 wide receiver hurt his ankle for the second time in three weeks. He was in obvious pain and are we sure it was a great idea to have him out there in the first place? Guys like Jared Cook, Cordarrelle Patterson and Seth Roberts stepped up in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.
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Kansas City was able to create this big lead by virtue of Smith picking apart the Oakland secondary, running back Kareem Hunt having his best game in months and kicker Harrison Butker tacking on field goals about every other Chiefs’ offensive drive.
If there were any positives to be taken out of this game for the Raiders, you have to be happy with the pass rush. Bruce Irvin had a career day with three sacks and has set a career-high this season. Khalil Mack was able to bring Smith to the ground and safety Karl Joseph was able to pick off Smith for the Raiders’ second interception of the season.
Let’s be real. There’s no way around this. The Raiders blew their biggest opportunity at making the playoffs this afternoon. Oakland was out-coached by Andy Reid‘s staff and out-executed by Reid’s players. Nobody is to blame for this loss than the Raiders themselves. This is the game that will likely cost the Raiders any hopes at making the playoffs.
Three Stars
- Kareem Hunt: Hunt had 25 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also had three catches for 22 yards.
- Alex Smith: Smith completed 20 of 34 passes for 268 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 24 yards on five carries.
- Bruce Irvin: Irvin had five tackles and three quarterback sacks in this ball game.
Highlights
Next Game
The Raiders will be hosting America’s Team in primetime next week when the Dallas Cowboys come to town. Kickoff from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum will be at 5:30 p.m. PT, 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. NBC will have the national telecast of Sunday Night Football with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the booth to call the game.
Next: Oakland Raiders, Week 14: 2018 NFL Mock Draft
While the Raiders aren’t technically eliminated from playoff contention, they will have to win out to have any hopes of winning the division or getting the second AFC wild card spot. It sadly does not look promising after this seventh loss of the season.