Las Vegas Raiders vs Chiefs 2021 Week 10: Studs and Duds

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Defensive back Dallin Leavitt #32 and punter A.J. Cole #6 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate after Cole forced a Kansas City Chiefs fumble on a punt return during their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders vs Chiefs 2021 Week 10: Studs and Duds

Studs – AJ Cole

AJ Cole gets a special shout-out this week as he was one of the few Raiders that actually played his role and made a big play. Cole is the NFL leader in yards per punt at 52.1 and is nearly two yards better than second-place Andy Lee who has been an All-Pro three times in his career.

Cole looks like he may be the AFC’s punter in the Pro Bowl and could wind up punting in a familiar space as Allegiant Stadium is hosting the game this season. His biggest play of the game was not a punt but rather a forced fumble that was a huge play for the Raiders.

With the game still in doubt in the first quarter, the Raiders went 3 and out after KC went up 7-0 and Cole punted from his own 30-yard line. KC returner Mike Hughes was on the verge of a huge return before being hit by Cole who knocked the ball loose before it was recovered by Foster Moreau.

It was a big play from an unlikely source and helped keep the Raiders in the game for a while longer as they went down the field and scored to tie it up 7-7 in the second quarter. Cole has been an invaluable member of this team and looks to be the next great punter in Raiders history if he can keep it up. Maybe the team can line him up at defensive back every now and then too.

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