The Oakland Raiders travelled to Kansas City after their most impressive performance of the year in beating the San Francisco 49ers the week before, looking to win two in a row for the first time since weeks 7 and 8 of the 2012 season.
After a strong effort in the first half which saw the Raiders down just 10-3, the Chiefs scored three touchdowns in a span of five minutes in the third quarter, to put away the Raiders in convincing fashion 31-13. Said Charles Woodson of how the team felt going in at half time “Going in 10-3, we felt like we were still within striking distance. We wanted to keep it that way in the second half. We weren’t able to do it. There were some penalties and some plays we didn’t make. There were plays offensively we didn’t make. Like I said, when you get beat in all phases of the game that’s what happens. Playing one good half doesn’t do anything for you if you come out in the second half and pretty much don’t rise up to the occasion.”
Oakland struggled in many phases versus Kansas City, none more than special teams. The Chief’s had 156 punt return yards including an 81 yard return for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Chief’s a 7-0 lead. The Raiders were also penalized 10 times for 75 yards, and gave up four sacks. Quarterback Derek Carr also had a costly fumble that resulted in a touchdown for the Chiefs. This game seemed to another case of Oakland beating Oakland. On if this was the case Woodson said “Kansas City beat Oakland. That’s what it boils down to. I think we failed to rise to the occasion this week. We had a great team victory last week. Today we didn’t rise to the occasion. I give credit to Kansas City, regardless of what we did. When you get beat in all phases of the game, that’s kind of what happens.”
The Raiders now sit at 2-12 with their final two games versus the Buffalo Bills at home, and on the road against the Denver Broncos. It is quite possible that Oakland will finish the year at 2-14. The only thing remaining then will be what owner Mark Davis decides to do with this General Manager and interim Head Coach. Reports this past weekend say that the Raiders could clean house, by firing both Reggie McKenzie and Tony Sparano. Says Adam Schefter from ESPN. “Oakland preparing for sweeping changes that involve its GM Reggie McKenzie, according to league sources. Mark Davis ready to spend.”
While many in the media aren’t surprised by these comments, it contradicts what owner Mark Davis said as recently as last month about his GM. “We are in really good shape, based on the way Reggie put all the contracts together and everything else. We’re not settled with a lot of upside-down situations anymore. The situation he walked into originally was pretty tough. The deconstruction phase of that went very, very well. I think we’re a pretty desirable place for someone that wants to come in and build.” Davis also mentioned that McKenzie is “not an interim GM” and also added “I think we’re in position to start moving forward and I think that’s very desirable thing for this organization and someone that might want to be a part of bringing the Raiders back to the greatness.”
Only time will tell. That time could be here in just a few short weeks.
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