LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders walked away from Allegiant Stadium on Sunday with their first loss of the season, but their 30-27 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs revealed plenty about where this team stands.
Las Vegas led 13-10 entering the fourth quarter and regained a 19-17 advantage with less than five minutes remaining. But Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs capitalized on late mistakes to improve to 4-0 while dropping the Raiders to 3-1.
Here are three major takeaways from the Raiders’ first loss of the Klint Kubiak era.
1. The Raiders Are Legitimate Now But They Have to Learn How to Finish
This wasn’t a moral victory. The Raiders had an opportunity to beat Kansas City and let it slip away. But Sunday’s performance demonstrated that Las Vegas’ 3-0 start wasn’t simply the product of an easy opening schedule.
The Raiders went toe-to-toe with Kansas City and held a fourth-quarter lead. Then the Chiefs did what championship-caliber teams do. Kenneth Walker III scored with 3:21 remaining after Mahomes connected with Tyquan Thornton for 55 yards.
Las Vegas then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving Kansas City another short-field opportunity that Walker converted into another touchdown. That’s how quickly games against Mahomes can change. The Raiders have proven they can compete. Now they have to learn how to close.
2. The Running Game Is Becoming a Concern
The difference on the ground was impossible to ignore. Las Vegas finished with only 72 rushing yards while averaging 2.8 yards per carry. Kansas City’s Walker nearly tripled that production himself, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
His 76-yard run late in the third quarter changed the momentum and helped set up Kansas City’s first lead. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins was forced to carry the Raiders offensively.
Cousins threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns, but Las Vegas shouldn’t need its veteran quarterback throwing his way out of trouble every week. A successful running game allows Kubiak to control tempo, create better play-action opportunities and protect leads.
The Raiders couldn’t do that Sunday. If Las Vegas intends to contend in the AFC West, fixing the ground game has to become a priority.
3. Brock Bowers Is Becoming Cousins’ Ultimate Security Blanket
Even an illness couldn’t prevent Brock Bowers from making an impact. Bowers finished with six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown, including a 20-yard score with 1:46 remaining that gave Las Vegas one final opportunity.
It continued an impressive two-game stretch. After catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans, Bowers has now totaled 16 receptions, 202 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his last two games.
When Cousins needs a play, he’s increasingly looking toward No. 89. That’s exactly what the Raiders hoped would happen.
Raiders Leave Knowing They Let One Get Away
Las Vegas is 3-1. That’s still an impressive opening month. But Sunday’s loss should bother the Raiders because they were close enough to win it. They didn’t get overwhelmed by Kansas City.
They didn’t spend four quarters chasing Mahomes. They led him with less than five minutes remaining. That’s progress. But if these Raiders truly want to challenge Kansas City for the AFC West, progress isn’t enough anymore. Today proved that the first three games were not a fluke. The next step is finishing the job.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
