It must be a game at Arrowhead because it was ugly on the Raiders side of the ball. The Raiders were never really in this game. They had two turnovers in the first eight minutes, three turnovers in the first half, were behind 21-0 at the half and 31-0 by the end of the third quarter.

The first score for the Raiders came on the first play of the 4th quarter and their touchdown was deep into garbage time. Then, of course, the point after attempt was blocked and returned for a 2-point score to give us the final of 40-9. To say the Raiders didn’t show up would be excusing their on-field implosion.

A few guys came to play, so let’s recognize them before moving on to the refuse.

Top Baller: RB Josh Jacobs

The Raiders got the ball first and for a brief moment, it looked like they had a good game plan that would give them a fighting chance against the Chiefs. That plan was to give the ball to Jacobs early and often. The rookie back broke off a 12-yard run on the second play. Then he had an 8-yard run two plays later and another 8-yard run to give him 28 yards on four carries. They went away from him and turned the ball over, ending the drive before they could cross their own 40-yard-line.

The next Raiders possession started with three-straight runs from Jacobs for 15, 7, and 5 yards, giving him 55 yards on 7 runs. That’s significant because that gave him 1000 yards on the season, making him the first Raiders running back to surpass the mark in four seasons. And, of course, he’s the only Raiders rookie to ever do it. But again they went away from him, thus stalling the drive.

Late in the first half, with the Raiders down 14-0, Jacobs would pick up four yards on third and two. Can you guess what happened then? Yup. They went away from him. Two plays later, Derek Carr would throw his second interception, this one returned for a touchdown.

The next play Jacobs got the left edge and took off for 35 yards. That run put him over 100 yards before halftime. Unfortunately with the Chiefs going up 24-0 after the first drive of the second half, Jacobs got the ball just three more times the rest of the game. Not his fault. He should have been the workhorse. But he still managed 6.1 yards per carry to finish with 104 yards rushing.

[lawrence-newsletter]