Raiders at Chiefs 2022 Week 5: Things we learned
By Brad Weiss
Right before their bye week, the Las Vegas Raiders battled it out against the Kansas City Chiefs, and here are some things we learned Monday night.
In Week 5, the Las Vegas Raiders took on the Kansas City Chiefs in primetime, heading to Arrowhead Stadium to battle it out against their AFC West rival. In the end, the Raiders blew a 17-0 lead to the Chiefs, losing by one point, and that just cannot happen when you are heading into your bye week.
Now, the Silver and Black have to regroup, but before we start to get ahead of ourselves, here are some things we learned in the 30-29 loss on Monday night.
Raiders at Chiefs 2022 Week 5: Things we learned
Derek Carr and Davante Adams are building something
It has been an up-and-down start for the combination of Derek Carr and Davante Adams, as they have had some huge games, and others where you have to scratch your head. However, on Monday night, playing in their biggest game of the season, the two stars shined the brightest, as Carr hit Adams for two touchdowns, and the star wideout racked up over 120 yards receiving.
That is the kind of impact that Adams is going to have the rest of the way, and you have to think that their connection is only going to get better. We are at the start of a long ride with these two as QB1 and WR1, and based on the early returns, we are in for something special.
There is a real concern for Darren Waller’s health
To say it has been a tough season for Darren Waller would be an understatement, as the star tight end cannot seem to stay on the field for an extended period of time. He was already dealing with a shoulder injury heading into the Kansas City game and would have to leave early with a hamstring injury early on.
To date, he has appeared in 80 percent or more of offensive snaps only twice, and in two games, he appeared in 55 and 73, respectively. That is not the kind of availability the Raiders were hoping for after he signed his big contract this offseason, so keep an eye on his health moving forward.
The Raiders are going to be fine
Despite the fact that the Raiders are on their bye week with a record of 1-4, all is not lost in terms of this season. In fact, with a soft slate of games ahead of them, and the team starting to come together, you could believe that the Silver and Black are about to go on a run that will put them back in the playoff picture.
So no, the Raiders are not dead, and in fact, there were a lot of bright spots to take out of the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Sure, they blew another big lead, and yes, AFC West wins are hard to come by so why go for two points, but when all is said and done, the Raiders will be in the playoff hunt come December.