Oakland Raiders’ Stunning Win vs. Kansas City Chiefs Shows Light At The End Of Tunnel
By Paul Kakert
@edpvideo
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The sloppy field and on-and-off-again downpours may have been a factor, but it was an unimpressive game for the Kansas City Chiefs from the opening kickoff, regardless of weather. However, optimistic Oakland Raiders fans will see it as an impressive game for their 1-10 team.
Derek Carr, the Raiders’ rookie quarterback, notched his first win and may have shown a preview of a more positive future for the troubled franchise.
Alex Smith and the red-hot Chiefs did not look like a team playing for their sixth win in a row when they entered halftime trailing the winless Raiders 14-3. But the second half would prove a different story for Smith and the Chiefs, as they finally woke up and played like the (shared) leaders of the AFC West. Sometimes, however, you dig a hole a little too deep to crawl out of in one half of football, and that was the situation tonight, as it was too little too late for a dramatic rally.
There just aren’t too many things to celebrate in Oakland for the league’s most obnoxious fans. But Carr did enough to move the team all night, and outplayed Smith and the talented Chiefs. Carr’s numbers are not as impressive as the win itself, as he finished the night 18-of-35 for 174 yards and one touchdown. Amazingly, neither Carr nor Smith threw an interception during a rain-soaked game.
Back on the Chiefs’ sidelines, you have to wonder how a team on such a roll could drop a game to a pathetic, winless team like the Raiders. The Chiefs had the opportunity to stay on pace with the Denver Broncos and make a strong run to the playoffs, but if this is the best they can do, Peyton Manning might be celebrating another AFC West title in six weeks.
Paul Kakert is an NFL and Chicago Bears writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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