Tag: Raiders PFF grades vs Chiefs

Raiders PFF grades: 5 highest rated Week 13 vs. Chiefs

The Raiders lost in spectacular fashion against the Chiefs on Black Friday, but who played the best for Las Vegas despite the defeat?

The Raiders and Chiefs put on a show for a national audience on Black Friday, but Kansas City escaped with a win as Las Vegas was left to wonder what could have been.

The Raiders were in position to kick a game-winning field goal but ran one too many plays, resulting in a miss-timed snap, fumble, and a crushing last-second defeat.

However, some Raiders had a productive day. Tight end Brock Bowers was spectacular, catching 10 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. He’s the highest-graded player on the team this week, according to Pro Football Focus.

The No. 2 player on the list is graded 10 points below Bowers’ impressive 90.6 rating. Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu earned playing time on Friday and rewarded his coaches with three tackles and a pass breakup. He helped the Raiders’ strong run defense on Friday.

Three more players on offense — quarterback Aidan O’Connell, running back Sincere McCormick, and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers — complete the list this week.  That’s no surprise, as the Raiders offense outgained the Chiefs offense by a healthy margin, 434 to 329.

But at some point, it would be nice for the Raiders to earn grades from PFF after a victory. Las Vegas has lost eight straight, and coach Antonio Pierce probably has to win a game or two to save his job, regardless of how hard his team plays on gameday. They’ll try for a win aginst Tampa Bay in Week 14.

Raiders PFF grades: 5 highest rated Week 8 vs. Chiefs

Which Raiders earned a high grade from Pro Football Focus after Las Vegas’ close loss to the undefeated Chiefs?

Sometimes even when you play well, it’s just not your day.

That could apply to many on the Raiders roster after their close loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. According to Pro Football Focus, quarterback Gardner Minshew tops the list.

Minshew earned the highest grade on the team from PFF, topping out with a 77.3 score. Unfortunately, his fumble in the fourth quarter ruined the Raiders’ last realistic chance for a victory. Minshew’s grade was bolstered by a touchdown drive later in the game after Kansas City had essentially secured the win.

Minshew’s top two targets, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers, are next on PFF’s weekly list.

Two defensive ends, Tyree Wilson and K’Lavon Chaisson round out this week’s top five. Wilson had the Raiders’ only QB sack of the game and added a tackle for loss and a QB hit. Chaisson had four total tackles and a QB hit of his own, one of just three for Las Vegas.

Despite Minshew’s high score, it will be interesting to see whether coach Antonio Pierce decides to give recently acquired quarterback Desmond Ridder a shot at starting at some point this season. Despite his solid play at times, Minshew’s turnovers continue to hold his team back.

Also, it’s disappointing that DE Maxx Crosby is not on this list. He had just three tackles and didn’t touch Mahomes all game. No running backs or offensive linemen appear either, reflecting Las Vegas’ historically poor rushing attack.

The Raiders face the Bengals on Sunday before their bye week arrives in Week 10. The franchise may have to decide whether to try its hardest to win games or embrace this team’s shortcomings to secure a high draft pick so it can draft a talented quarterback it can build around.