Las Vegas Raiders: 3 defensive takeaways from 2021 Week 10

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Defensive end Carl Nassib #94 and inside linebacker Denzel Perryman #52 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk on the field after the Kansas City Chiefs scored a touchdown against them 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: 3 defensive takeaways from 2021 Week 10

Linebackers struggled against the short passing attack

With the secondary playing deeper than usual to combat Mahomes and the Chiefs’ air attack, the linebackers had more area to cover on the field. The results were not pretty.

The Chiefs’ offense was taking what they wanted in the screen game which is in large part the fault of the linebackers. The defensive line usually comes crashing down freely on screens, so the linebackers should be there on the 2nd line of defense to corral the ball carrier.

Chiefs running back Darrel Williams hauled in 9 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Most of those are on screens. Kelce also had a field day, going for 119 yards on 8 receptions. At least a few of those, also, were screens.

The Raiders defense did hold the Chiefs under 100 yards on the ground, but with how successful RB screens and dump-offs were going for them, they really didn’t need to run the ball. The linebacker play this year has been superior to how it has been in the past, so hopefully, this was just a bad game against a great quarterback.

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