Raiders winners and losers in 30-29 defeat vs. Chiefs

The Raiders had a chance to turn their season around on national television but came up short against the Chiefs, losing 30-29 at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.

After Las Vegas tried to tie the score at 30 with a two-point conversion and failed, the Raiders defense stopped Kansas City and gave quarterback Derek Carr a chance for a game-winning drive. But on a 4th-and-1 play with seconds remaining, wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow ran into each other and fell down as Carr threw in their direction, ending any comeback hopes.

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Here are the winners and losers for this week after yet another close loss for the Raiders.

Winner: RB Josh Jacobs

The Raiders jumped out to a 17-0 lead thanks in large part to a dedication to the run game, led by running back Josh Jacobs. For the second straight week, he set a career-high in rushing yards. This time, he finished with 154 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He added five catches for 39 yards.

When the Chiefs offense started to get on a roll, coach Josh McDaniels went away from his strategy a bit. But nearly every time he turned to Jacobs, his running back responded. Though he came up just short of the goal line when Las Vegas tried to tie the score at 30 with their 2-point try, Jacobs once again looks like an elite weapon in the backfield.

Winner: Offensive line

The Raiders offensive line has rotated players in and out of the lineup this season, signaling that Las Vegas is searching for answers up front. But judging from the last two weeks, all they needed was some balanced play calling to thrive.

They paved the way for Jacobs’ big game and gave Carr time to throw on most occasions. The line had its share of penalties, as did the entire team, but they were a reason the Raiders had a chance to win, providing the offense an opportunity to thrive as planned over the offseason.

Winner: DE Maxx Crosby

Once again, defensive end Maxx Crosby looked like a madman on the field, living up to his “Mad Maxx” nickname. He had two more sacks and added three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.

But also once again, Crosby needed more help from his teammates on the edge. Defensive end Chandler Jones had a solid start, but once Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes found his groove, the Raiders’ front was off-balance and Kansas City started gaining yards in chunks.

Winner: K Daniel Carlson

Kicker Daniel Carlson hit all three of his field goal attempts, running his streak of consecutive field goal makes to 38 in a row. If the Raiders could have gotten in field goal range on the game’s last drive, it’s a near certainty Carlson would have nailed it and Las Vegas would have gone home with a win.

Loser: Raiders coaches

McDaniels decision to try a 2-point conversion late in the game wasn’t a terrible call. But the NFL is a results-based business. And the results didn’t work out for Las Vegas. A shotgun run, which is what McDaniels dialed up, is also a questionable, predictable play call.

And on defense, coordinator Patrick Graham had a tough task in stopping Mahomes and the Chiefs. But spotted a 17-0 lead, the defense struggled to rush the passer and cover receivers, especially tight end Travis Kelce, who had four touchdown grabs.

Loser: S Roderic Teamer/DE Malcolm Koonce

The Raiders had 11 penalties for 99 yards, and two penalties stick out more than the others.

Las Vegas still had momentum in the second quarter, having just scored a field goal, leaving the Chiefs only 17 seconds to operate before halftime. A facemask penalty from safety Roderic Teamer put Kansas City in position to make a 59-yard field goal, giving them momentum going into halftime; they now trailed just 20-10 and would get the ball to start the second half.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders had pulled to within a point of Kansas City and forced them to try a field goal. The Chiefs missed it, but DE Malcolm Koonce committed a rare holding penalty. Soon thereafter, Mahomes found Kelce in the end zone for six more points.

Loser: QB Derek Carr/WR Davante Adams

Carr and Adams did nearly all they could to will the Raiders to a win and send a message to the NFL, but they still came up short.

They started the game’s scoring with a bang, connecting on a 58-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1 play. Later, Carr made a brilliant throw to Adams, giving the Raiders their chance to go ahead on their failed 2-point try.

But the game’s final result had Adams slamming his helmet to the ground and even pushing a cameraman on his way to the locker room. Despite Adams’ big statistical day (three catches, 124 yards, two touchdowns), he definitely took a loss on this Monday night, as did Carr.

What could have been an immense triumph for the Raiders turned into a disaster. It was all too fitting for how the season has gone thus far. Can Las Vegas turn it around? They have too much talent to not get rolling, but only if they don’t let frustrations from the young season get to them. The Raiders’ next chance to get on track is on Oct. 23 against the Texans after resting up on their bye week.