Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, October 10, 2022. /CFP
The Kansas City Chiefs overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 30-29 at Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday to secure their fourth win in the 2022 NFL regular season.
This game was full of nothing but twists. Though the Chiefs had a dominant record over the Raiders in recent years, the Raiders established a 17-0 lead after one and a half quarters after implementing with determination their well-designed tactics on both offense and defense.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs became the team's sharpest dagger with 21 carries for 154 yards and one touchdown. His longest rush was 37 yards. As long as the offensive line created a breach for him, no matter how small it was, Jacobs could rush forward to get decent yards for the Raiders. He scored the team's second touchdown from the 1-yard line at 14:00 in the second quarter.
Running back Josh Jacobs (C) of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, October 10, 2022. /CFP
However, the more remarkable Jacobs was on the ground, the less sense the Raiders' last offensive call made. On 4th and 1 with 0:47 remaining in the fourth quarter and trailing 30-29, instead of getting a first down via either Jacobs' rushing or a short pass, quarterback (QB) Derek Carr chose to throw a deep pass that targeted wide receiver Davante Adams. It's true that Adams had scored two long receiving touchdowns before that moment – one for 58 yards and the other 48 yards – but it was early to make a risky decision like this.
Of course, Carr failed to connect with Adams, but partly because Adams crashed into his teammate Hunter Renfrow. After that failed play, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes easily kneeled for the game to end and his team to win.
"We're close but close doesn't count in this game," Carr said after throwing 19-for-30 for 241 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. "It's frustrating."
Quarterback Derek Carr (#4) of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, October 10, 2022. /CFP
The last-moment incomplete pass was not the only mistake the Raiders made in Monday's game. After Carr connected with Adams to score the touchdown that cut their deficit from seven (30-23) to one point (30-29) at 4:27 in the fourth quarter, instead of kicking for an easy point to tie the score, the Raiders chose to go for a two-point conversion and failed.
Perhaps the Raiders were trying to learn from their opponent, who also went for a two-point conversion after tight end Travis Kelce received a 1-yard pass from Mahomes to score his fourth touchdown at 7:25 in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs failed as well. Yet, the Raiders didn't learn from their mistake.
In fact, the Chiefs' fourth touchdown came from a defensive mistake by the Raiders. Mahomes' pass on 4th and 14 was incomplete and the team thus had kicker Matthew Wright kick a 37-yard field goal. He missed it but was fouled by a Raiders defender. As a result, the Chiefs were rewarded a first down. Mahomes exploited the opportunity to run the offense well until Kelce scored the decisive touchdown.
Tight end Travis Kelce (#87) of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, October 10, 2022. /CFP
The Raiders deserved credit for their containing of the connection between Mahomes and Kelce on Monday night. The departure of Tyreek Hill for the Miami Dolphins limited Mahomes' passing choices. Though both he and coach Andy Reid were working hard trying to get everyone involved in the offense, it's a public secret that Kelce has always been his first choice.
Kelce was targeted eight times and had seven catches in the game for only 25 yards thanks to the tight defense of the Raiders. However, he still scored four touchdowns, all next to the red zone. The Chiefs' offensive line did a good job of creating space for him. So did Mahomes in throwing to find him.
"There was anger just about how we had played up to that point," Mahomes said after completing 29 of 43 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns with no interception. "We needed everybody to go out there and take the fight to them."