For the second consecutive week, the Raiders’ drive of the game involves a 4th-and-short play gone awry. This week, however, the score was much closer at the moment of failure.
After an incredible six penalties and two turnovers by the Raiders in the first quarter, they were trailing just 7-0. Impressively, their defense forced a turnover on downs in the first period, and a Chiefs punt late in the second, setting up this week’s dismal drive.
Starting at his own 27-yard line, quarterback Derek Carr immediately found tight end Darren Waller for a beautiful 24-yard completion to the left sideline. A high back-shoulder throw, Waller reached over the defender expertly and hauled it in.
A toss play for no gain to running back Josh Jacobs and a 1-yard scramble by Carr preceded an 8-yard completion to wide receiver, Zay Jones. Facing a 4th-and-1 at Kansas City’s 40-yard line, coach Jon Gruden didn’t hesitate to go for it.
Jacobs was having an excellent game to that point and finished with more than 100 rushing yards and an average of 6.1 yards per attempt. He ran onto the field for the crucial play but then trotted to the sideline after being called back. Raiders fullback, Alec Ingold, Oakland’s short-yardage specialist, was the only back behind Carr.
It appeared Ingold would get the call. But instead, Carr signaled wide receiver Trevor Davis in motion and handed him the ball on a jet sweep. With plenty of green grass available upfield, Davis continued on his wide path and ran into the back of blocking teammate, TE Foster Moreau, for no gain and a turnover on downs.
Just like last week’s 4th down failure, Jacobs wasn’t a factor. At least he was on the field in that case, though he was offset to the right and not behind
Carr. Still, this week’s debacle is difficult to criticize because Davis had room for the first down. He simply didn’t convert.
But it would be wise for Oakland to put the ball in the hands of one of their best players, such as Jacobs or Ingold, in that situation the next time around. At the very least, Jacobs should be in the game to threaten the defense.
Regardless, the Chiefs scored a touchdown on their next drive, and with help from more mistakes by the Raiders, the rout was on, resulting in a disappointing 40-9 loss with first place in the AFC West on the line.
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