Momentary lapses in judgment loom large in Las Vegas’ first loss of season

Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby stares down the Kansas City offensive line inside Allegiant Stadium. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

After having a more than favorable fourth quarter last week in New Orleans, Las Vegas suffered the other side in a narrow one-possession loss this week at home.

The Raiders came up just short against the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-27, Sunday, Oct. 4 from Allegiant Stadium. The franchise still has not won back-to-back games against its AFC West rival since 2012.

“I’m really proud of the fight in our team tonight,” head coach Klint Kubiak said. “Not surprised by the fight of our team, just wish we would’ve won the game.”

A lot of firsts came as a result of Sunday’s outcome. Las Vegas suffered its first loss at home while losing its first divisional game this season. More importantly, the team loses out on an early season chance at first place in the AFC West standings.

“Got a lot of really hard working guys that care about winning,” Kubiak said. “There was a point there where I took three points off of the board and we were going to be aggressive going into the game. I don’t regret it, I regret not getting it.”

With its 3-1 overall record, the Raiders will now head up north for a meeting with the AFC Champion New England Patriots in Foxborough. That game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11 with kickoff set for 10 a.m. from Gillette Stadium.

Raiders rookie Dareke Young runs during a return during the team's home loss to the Chiefs. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

“You find out way more about yourself through adversity,” Kubiak said. “We have some adversity right here and now we get a chance to go to the next opponent and that’s New England.”

A fumble on a kick return by rookie receiver Dareke Young while trailing by four points, all but put the Raiders behind the eight-ball for good in its most recent loss. The team has now fumbled a kick return in back-to-back weeks.

“I have to watch it on film,” Kubiak said. “I thought their guy did a good job of punching it out if I’m not wrong but I have to see it again.”

Running back Kenneth Walker polished off the next Kansas City drive with his second touchdown run of the game. Prior to the fumble, he scored on the ground to give the four-time Super Bowl champions their four-point lead.

Walker rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the win.

“They’re extremely well-coached,” Kubiak said. “They have a really talented roster and they played hard.”

Kansas City didn’t snag its first lead until the first play of the fourth quarter to go up 17-13. The final 15 minutes of the game saw three different lead changes.

Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby goes airborne while attempting a tackle during the team's home loss to Kansas City. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

Backup running back Dylan Laube put the Raiders back in business with a 53-yard kick return. However, that drive would end with one of four made field goals by kicker Matt Gay.

As part of the four field goal day, Gay capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive that elapsed eight minutes for one of them.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins started the game fast, going a perfect 3-for-3 on his first drive for 46 yards and a 27-yard touchdown to tight end Ian Thomas.

In fact, tight ends accounted for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 16 receptions as part of 22 total targets.

“Those guys are an impressive group,” Kubiak said. “[Tight ends coach] Luke Steckel is an impressive coach and we’ll be counting on them every week.”

Cousins threw for 356 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 31-of-52 passing.

“At the end of the game I’ve got to get the play in faster,” Kubiak said. “We had an illegal shift and that’s on the playcaller not getting the playcall in fast enough.”