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Writer's pictureTerrel Emerson

Raiders’ under .500 after five turnovers in loss to Chiefs

Las Vegas saw Kansas City hang the second-most points in the rivalry resulting in the team dropping under .500 for the first time this season.


The Raiders lost, 48-9, to the Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 12 from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.


Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia is now 3-5 since taking over for former head coach Jon Gruden.


The team has now lost five of its last six games, averaging 13.4 points per game in those losses.


The loss drops Las Vegas to 6-7 and 1-3 in the AFC West. The Raiders are the only team under .500 in the division and are in last place.


Additionally, the team has now dropped to 12th in the playoff hunt.


A road test against the Cleveland Browns provides another opportunity for Las Vegas to make way in the playoff chase.


The game will be part of a Saturday doubleheader Dec. 18 on NFL Network. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.


Prior to the start of the game against Kansas City, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue gathered the team at midfield, on the Chiefs logo, for a pregame speech.


The Raiders would not reach midfield again until near halftime.


Running back Josh Jacobs fumbled on the first play from scrimmage which Kansas City turned into six points the other way.


On the ensuing kickoff, returner Tyron Johnson muffed the kick, forcing the offense to take over from the 11-yard line.


The aforementioned Ngakoue was flagged for offsides on a third and eight where Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw an incomplete pass.


Kansas City scored from 23 yards out on the next play.


At the end of the first quarter, Las Vegas was down 14-0 on the scoreboard despite running seven more offensive plays than its opponent.


Tight end Foster Moreau bobbled a pass from quarterback Derek Carr in the second quarter before it landed in the hands of safety Tyrann Mathieu.


That turned into another touchdown for Kansas City.


That wasn’t the only blunder from a Raider pass catcher as wide receiver Hunter Renfrow completed a catch on third and fourth but coughed the ball up to the Chiefs.


Wide receiver Zay Jones fumbled on the team’s last drive of the game.


The trend continued on the defensive end, as pass rusher Maxx Crosby was whistled for offsides on a third down.


Defensive back Trayvon Mullen was caught for pass interference on the very next play.


Crosby would tact another offsides penalty to his ledger in the third quarter.


Carr had moments of success when not picking himself off the grass after being sacked four times.


Las Vegas didn’t snap the ball on Kansas City’s side of the field until 28 seconds left in the first half.


The drive would end with a field goal from kicker Daniel Carlson to make it 35-3 Chiefs going into halftime.


Carr went 33-for-45, passing for 263 yards with a touchdown and an interception and fumble.


He is now 0-7 this season when throwing for less than 300 yards.


That lone touchdown came in the third quarter to Renfrow however, the extra point was missed.


Renfrow tallied 117 yards on a career-high 13 receptions, becoming the first Raider with at least 100 yards in three straight games.


Carr's fumble came in the fourth quarter on a third and nine where he was sacked.


The Raiders committed five turnovers, equaling seven total in the eight quarters played against the Chiefs, to their one.


Kansas City appeared to return the fumble for a touchdown but it was taken off after the play was blown dead.


The Chiefs proceeded to find the end zone from 51 yards out on the first play.


Las Vegas lost the time of possession battle 35:26 to 24:34 to Kansas City.


In both hour-long games this season, the Chiefs have held the ball for more than 63 minutes.


Moreover, the Raiders were outscored 89-23 by its divisional opponent.

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