After a brutal Week 4 loss, the Las Vegas Raiders just want to get better each day and take down the New England Patriots on Sunday. But the fans are still crushed by the defeat and yet simultaneously basking in the glow of losing (?), because it has somehow brought the team immense respect.
Everyone is talking about the Silver and Black now, perhaps even more than they are talking about the team that won the game, the Kansas City Chiefs. And that's fine, as this young Raiders team has earned the notoriety. But with more eyes and attention comes more pressure and expectations.
Hopefully, Klint Kubiak and Co. are helping them block out the noise and stay focused on the day-to-day, but that's a lot easier to do after a win than a loss. Luckily, there hasn't been much in the way of news, per se, but let's catch you up on what's been happening in and around Las Vegas since the loss.
And throw in some Week 4 superlatives, because why not?
- Best post-game quotes from Raiders-Chiefs
- Quick hitters
- Week 4 superlatives
- Injury updates
- Silver and Black content to consume from around the web
Best post-game quotes from Raiders-Chiefs
Kubiak looked quite hurt by the loss in the post-game press conference, but the rookie head coach was able to keep things in perspective and still give his teams props after a 30-27 loss. This attitude should be infectious throughout the building with a tough Patriots team on tap in Week 5.
"You find out way more about yourself through adversity, and so we have some adversity right here, and now we get a chance to go to the next opponent. So, that's another one."
Based on what Kubiak told reporters on Monday, it seems like this young Raiders team and coaching staff has the right approach.
"We just got done meeting with them. They're disappointed, and they're a very mature group that wants to win. So, we're fixing the corrections. We're trying to make ourselves better. Whether we win or whether we lose, we're telling each other the truth and just seeing what we can do to be a better team moving forward."
Ashton Jeanty also spoke some life into his teammates when talking to reporters at his locker after Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. He seems to believe that this group has tunnel vision and is all about playing for each other, not for anyone or anything else.
"We know who we are as a team, and we've just got to keep getting better. We don't really care what anybody else thinks about us. We're going to keep showing and proving to each other that we're a great football team."
Michael Mayer has been on some really bad teams in Las Vegas to begin his career, but he clearly sees something different in this one that has his confidence high, even after a loss. And even if he seemed devastated to let the fanbase down with a defeat.
"I think it's just everybody's will to win, to be honest with you. We really want to win. We really want to win for this organization, for Raider Nation, for the fans, and it's just fight. It's about fight, hard work, keeping your head down. Yeah, we fell short today."
Lastly, Kubiak was asked about adding a wide receiver, given the room's struggles and the injuries piling up on top of that.
"I think all things are being considered."
Maybe some big fish? Probably someone we've never heard of. But either way, a change or addition could be on the horizon, so look out.
Quick hitters
Dylan Laube is leading NFL in yards per return
Many thought that Laube should have been cut this offseason, and others were raking him over the coals for a fumble on a kick return early in the year. But in spite of all of that, Laube is alone at the top of the NFL with a 33.4-yard kick return average, including two of 50+ and three of 45+ yards.
His 53-yarder in Week 4 changed the momentum.
Raiders-Chiefs sets CBS broadcast record for viewership
Seems like Raider Nation and Chiefs fans were not the only ones interested in Sunday's bout. CBS Sports PR reported that 28.448 million people watched the game between Las Vegas and Kansas City, making it the most-watched NFL game of the season and the most-watched Week 4 game ever.
Nate Burleson thinks Las Vegas can make a Super Bowl run
Burleson, a former NFL player and repected analyst, not only believes that this is the best team that Kirk Cousins has ever played on, but thinks that these Raiders can make a Super Bowl run, citing the exceptional defense and balance.
Referee assignment for Raiders-Patriots in Week 5
According to AFL Godfather, Craig Wrolstad and his crew will officiate Las Vegas vs. New England this Sunday. The Silver and Black have a 6-8 record in the 14 games of theirs that he has refereed.
Week 4 superlatives
MVP: Brock Bowers
Bowers is the gas that makes this offense go, and his six-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown stat line only paints part of the picture of what he brings to the table. He came through in every clutch situation, and did so while being keyed on and wrestled with more than any other route-runner.
Offensive POTW: Michael Mayer
Mayer has essentially stepped into the No. 2 role in this Raiders offense with Bowers back, and he notched eight catches for 82 yards on Sunday on a career-high 10 targets. He was reliable, reeling the ball in and getting yards after the catch while blocking his tail off. Salute to Mayer.
Defensive POTW: Maxx Crosby
Crosby was just about the only thing working with the Raiders' pass rush, as he logged eight pressures and five hits on Patrick Mahomes. The rest of the team had just nine and one, respectively. And on one of the five plays that Crosby wasn't out there, Kenneth Walker III had a 76-yard run.
Rookie of the Week: Treydan Stukes
I went back and forth between Stukes and Masses here, but Masses gave up a touchdown, so I'll give the nod to the second-round safety. He allowed a big gain to Tyquan Thornton, but it was a bad call by Rob Leonard, and Stukes made some nice plays against the run and had a near-pick of Mahomes.
Biggest letdown: Malcolm Koonce
Koonce was coming off two straight games in which he dominated, and with a favorable matchup against Kahlil Benson, the Chiefs' UDFA rookie left tackle, fans were hoping that he could make a big difference in this one. But he managed one pressure and was shut out of the box score in 25 snaps.
LVP: Kwity Paye
Paye hasn't been able to recapture the magic of Week 1, and he did even less against Benson than Koonce did, despite playing 10 more snaps. Paye was, quite literally, a complete nothing, as he recorded no stats and made no discernible impact. Concerning for a $48 million player.
Injury updates
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Powers-Johnson is supposed to return to practice this week, according to Kubiak, but it remains to be seen what his status will be on Wednesday and as Week 5 approaches. If he can't go, it'll be the Caleb Rogers show again at right guard, and results with him were mixed, at best.
Jalen Nailor
Nailor is currently in the concussion protocol after getting smacked on an errant throw by Kirk Cousins. Based on precedent set by Treydan Stukes last week, the Raiders could be without Nailor on Sunday against the Patriots.
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Thornton Jr. has not had his 21-day practice window opened quite yet, but it seems like he is trending toward a return in the somewhat near future. With so many injuries at wide receiver, having anyone back would be a benefit, but Thornton Jr. is always exciting, considering his immense upside.
Silver and Black content to consume from around the web
- Even in Defeat, Sunday Was the Day Klint Kubiak’s Raiders Arrived (Sports Illustrated)
Orr writes about why Las Vegas proved itself to be a real, legitimate team on Sunday, despite losing.
- Raiders lost gamble against Chiefs, but they can’t lose their nerve (California Post)
Bonsignore unpacks the Silver and Black's aggressive approach in Week 4's loss.
- Raiders' Week 4 Matchup vs. Chiefs | Sounds of the Game (Raiders Media)
A quick, cinematic recap of the game, if you can re-live it so soon.
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