Lessons the Las Vegas Raiders can learn from the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV

No QB can do it alone

How often have we heard leading up to the Super Bowl that this matchup was all about the current GOAT against the baby or future GOAT? Well in this case the baby GOAT was more like a lamb lead to slaughter against a ferocious defense that was intent on making his life very difficult and punishing him on every play.

Even if Mahomes had a fully healthy offensive line it would have been a tall task to protect him, but what was ultimately the undoing for KC was the lack of talent upfront. After losing LT Eric Fisher in the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs would be without three of their Week 1 starters, all three of which have been All-Pros or Pro Bowlers in their careers.

The biggest blow was losing Fisher, as he has helped make up for the weaknesses of the rest of the line with his stellar play and ability to block even the best pass rushers one on one. The Tampa defense flushed Mahomes out of the pocket, and were it not for his incredible athletic ability, the Bucs may have had double-digit sacks.

This brings us full circle to what Derek Carr had to deal with this season, as, in several games, he was playing with backups or third-stringers at three of the five offensive line positions. In those games, Carr was constantly pressured, and because he is not quite the athlete Mahomes is, was not able to escape pressure.

When Carr, and of course Mahomes as well, have solid protection, they can deal incredible damage to opposing defenses, but if they don’t have the time, they are significantly less effective. Football is the ultimate team game, and even if you have one of the most talented QBs in NFL history, if he does not have the protection he can’t impact the game in the same way.

The Raiders have invested heavily in the offensive line and this game is another lesson in why they should continue to do so.