Raiders fans have reasons to celebrate any time the Raiders beat the Chargers. Beating them decisively, ending their season and getting their coach fired helps too. It’s especially great because the Raiders have been on the other side of those ass whoppings. Vegas also gets points for doing it on national TV, without running back Josh Jacobs.
Moving forward, the Raiders have a chance at the playoffs if they win out. They will need a Christmas miracle versus a Chiefs team that has lost two of four since beating the Raiders last month. Worse off, the Raiders came out swinging in that game but only scored three points in the second half. Kansas City came back and won decisively.
Vegas will also be without Josh Jacobs today. Jacobs scored one of his best touchdown runs versus the Chiefs when they played a few weeks ago.
Overall, Vegas was efficient on offense. They spread the ball around and didn’t turn it over. The Raiders just could not convert in big spots. The defense also had no answer for the Chiefs in the second half. They stopped the run but struggled in coverage and tackling. Vegas needed more pressure. That is not all on Marcus Peters, who is no longer with the team.
Vegas needs a similar outing this week. Aiden O’Connell needs to be efficient again. They need to get the ball to Davante Adams early and often. White needs to get in a rhythm as he will make his second start. Michael Mayer needs to come up in the red zone. Hunter Renfrow and Jakobi Meyers need to help move the sticks on third downs.
The defense needs to make plays again. Malcolm Koonce broke out with two sacks and Jerry Tillery got a sack versus his old team. The Raiders need both of them to show up again. Maxx Crosby should be back to his usual self with some added rest. Crosby was banged up when the played the Chiefs last but he still registered a sack. An interception or fumble from the secondary would help too.
Even with a well executed game plan, the Raiders could easily lose this game. The Chiefs are that good. They need a statement win to give them some momentum headed into the last two weeks and playoffs. Eliminating the Raiders from playoff talks could be great for them proving their dominance again.
Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce needs to prove he learned from the first matchup. He can’t have the team coming out flat like they have at times this year. Pierce needs to show he can make halftime adjustments, regardless what happens in the first half. It will be hard for the Raiders to not keep Pierce if he beats the Chiefs and this team wills it’s way into the playoffs.
Either way, he’s coaching for his job in Vegas and beyond. Pierce has done enough to show he belongs as coach but he needs to show he can beat the whole division if he wants to be the long term leader. He needs to show he can win a game he should lose. The good thing is, he beat the Chargers and has a chance to beat the Chiefs before playing the Colts next week and the Broncos in the final game. Both Denver and Indianapolis have postseason considerations to play for. They need some help as do the Raiders but the point is the games matter.
Wins and losses will matter for Pierce’s future as well as the direction of this team. Hopefully, he and Santa can deliver a win over the Chiefs.
