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

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

Duds – The Defensive Line and/or the Refs

This last dud of the week is a double whammy as the Raiders defensive line failed to make a real impact on the game but much of that had to do with the officials calling the game. The first issue for the defensive line was the run game of the Chiefs were able to rush for nearly 100 yards on 25 carries while the game was still in doubt.

Darrel Williams gashed the Raiders defense for nearly 4 yards a carry and Jerick McKinnon was equally as effective on just 3 carries. It is bad enough that the Chiefs could throw it at will but they could have rushed for 200 yards if they felt like it in this game.

The second aspect of the defensive line’s struggles was partially a failure on their part and partially a failure on the part of the officials. The Chiefs have given up 17 sacks this season and Mahomes has been under constant pressure but this week they were able to keep the Raiders’ defensive line at bay.

As we said, part of that was due to the officials choosing not to call any holding penalties while Maxx Crosby was being mugged by the Chiefs’ offensive line. Despite that, Crosby was able to generate 13 pressures on Mahomes and could have had at least 2 sacks were he not being held on nearly every passing play.

The Raiders know that they are not getting any help from officials but it was infuriating to see it being done so blatantly on Sunday night. It may be unfair to lump them in with the duds this week but this was a chance for them to control the game and they failed to do so.