Poor decisions and overconfidence lead to home defeat for Raiders
Last week’s victory in Denver was invigorating and maybe more importantly, a shot of confidence for the Oakland Raiders (3-9). But today’s 20-13 home loss at the hands of the lowly Kansas City Chiefs (2-10) was very disappointing and maybe a sign that the Silver & Black were over confident and too casual for their own good.
Considering that they played an inferior team record wise and a club that had lost 19 out of their last 20 games. A team Oakland beat in week two convincingly at Arrowhead 23-8; they were coming home feeling like they could snap the Chiefs six game winning streak in the ‘Black Hole.’
The Raider coaching staff oozed too much confidence in their decision making all game. They left too many points on the field in the first half and got too fancy in their approach against a team they should’ve manhandled.
It started with their opening drive with trick plays and starting their offensive attack by unleashing what has been all season a feeble passing attack. It was surprising to see the Raiders actually move the chains with their creativity, but as the game progressed, and by neglecting the fact that Kansas City came into the game allowing 165.9 yards per game on the ground, the Raiders let their rivals stick around and gain belief they can win this game. Bad decision-making and careless turnovers led to 10 Kansas City points.
After easily scoring on their first drive and taking a 3-0 lead, Oakland appeared to be primed to shake off the offensive ineptitude that had burden them prior to the Denver win.
But on their second drive, Tom Cable decided to surprise Kansas City with a fake field goal, which resulted in a 67-yard touchdown the other way.
Why did Cable think that his hefty kicker could run ten-plus yards for a first down? Why instead of relying on his leg to give them a 6-3 lead, did he think that his running ability would continue a drive to possibly score a touchdown ? A first half touchdown – something they have only done once in 2008.
In their next possession, Oakland’s staff again left points off the scoreboard by going for a 4th and 3 deep in Kansas City territory. A JaMarcus Russell pass sailed into the end zone, just off Ronald Curry’s extended arms and a turnover on downs kept Kansas City in the game, instead relying on their kicker to boot a high percentage field goal.
The NFL’s lowest scoring team all of the sudden was passing on the opportunity to put up points.
Oakland, now facing a team that they thought they could toy around with, decided to roll the dice and play loosely thinking they could do as they pleased even if they didn’t convert on those situations in the first half.
What they received was a dose of reality.
When you have a chance to score, you put up points. A 31-pount output in Denver was not the cure all for an ailing offense.
Some of the trickery and play calling was refreshing. At times, Russell looked good when the Raiders opened it up. But they shot themselves in the foot with their overconfidence in thinking the Chiefs were lowlier than they are.
Oakland is still a bad team. And they played today like if they were a team that could shake off mistakes, poor decisions and miscues.
Unfortunately they learned the hard way. And instead of coming home and taking a step forward in building towards a good winning formula, they rested on their one game success and the notion that they faced an inferior team.
