Silver And Black Pride - Raiders Week 18 opponent: Coverage of Raiders’ loss to the ChiefsCovering all things Las Vegas Raiders footballhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49501/sbp-fav.png2023-01-07T17:17:12-08:00http://www.silverandblackpride.com/rss/stream/232925562023-01-07T17:17:12-08:002023-01-07T17:17:12-08:00Raiders-Chiefs: 7 things we learned from a season-ending stinker
<figure>
<img alt="Kansas City Chiefs v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZpwGpa_InW0BnI1GMmB5M_7oxRQ=/0x0:4736x3157/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71838673/1454899625.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Patrick Mahomes | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A lousy ends with a thud against top team in AFC</p> <p id="MGOGKM">The <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> were good enough to compete, but not good enough to win consistently for most of the 2022 season.</p>
<p id="eYwZQH">Saturday, in a merciful ending to a bitterly disappointing season, the Raiders were outclassed by the jewel of the AFC West and they were slapped around at home by the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> 31-13. And it wasn’t as close as the score indicated as the Chiefs toyed with Las Vegas, in front of many fans donned in red, at times as they clinched the No. 1 seed in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs">AFC playoffs</a>. It was just the second loss of the season that wasn’t a one-score game and just the fourth of the 17-game season for the 6-11 Raiders.</p>
<div id="2bPxBR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So this just happened? <br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KCvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KCvsLV</a> on ESPN/ABC<br> : Stream on NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/nMh7vXuCB4">https://t.co/nMh7vXuCB4</a> <a href="https://t.co/rbasxmK9yJ">pic.twitter.com/rbasxmK9yJ</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1611854738928308224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="0bBCCe">Here are seven keys to the game:</p>
<aside id="7EWVeu"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Raiders-Chiefs Week 18 final score: Kansas City wins in a blowout","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23528567/raiders-chiefs-week-18-final-score-kansas-city-wins"}]}'></div></aside><p id="hJxBa6"><strong>Ugly details:</strong></p>
<p id="p4Z5DL">The Raiders fell to 3-3 in the AFC west this season and 4-4 at home. they went 2-7 on the road. The Chiefs, who led 24-3 at halftime, have led by 21 points or more at halftime in five games with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Three of those games have come against the Raiders, The Chiefs have outscored the Raiders 107-58 in three games at Allegiant Stadium.</p>
<p id="PWwSs2"><strong>Oh, McDaniels:</strong></p>
<p id="5hAkRs">You can blame it on Derek Carr, who’s days in Las Vegas are likely over. But the fact is the Raiders were a 10-7 playoff team last season and added Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. This was supposed to be a season where the Raiders made a long playoff run. instead, they went 6-11 and will have a top-10 draft pick. The Raiders were arguably the biggest disappointment in the NFL in 2022 and that falls on first-year coach Josh McDaniels. He is 17-28 as an NFL head coach. Whatever the Raiders do this offseason next year will be about McDaniels having to show he can be an NFL head coach and that’s in major question. The Raiders looked out of sync Saturday and it’s Week 18. There were coaching issues all season long. The Raiders became the fifth NFL team to have a 1,500 rusher (Josh Jacobs) and a 1,500-yard receiver (Davante Adams). The other four teams went to the playoffs. What a waste and it’s on McDaniels and his staff.</p>
<aside id="NmcDLy"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Raiders-Chiefs inactives: Josh Jacobs is playing","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23542474/raiders-chiefs-inactives-josh-jacobs-active-dad"}]}'></div></aside><p id="5siPLf"><strong>Jacobs plays for dad:</strong></p>
<p id="ES3HwD">Jacobs played perhaps his final game as a Raider with huge inspiration. His father, Marty, had emergency heart surgery this week in Tulsa and it required Jacobs to take some time away from the team. His father asked his son to play and he did, complete ‘pops’ written in eye black on his face.</p>
<div id="Yfec3d">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> Josh Jacobs has "Pops" written on his eyeblack as he is playing today for his dad who had heart surgery. ❤ <a href="https://t.co/0YfSApLg6E">pic.twitter.com/0YfSApLg6E</a></p>— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1611841294539554816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="9I71iq">Jacobs finished with 45 yards on 17 carries. He finished the season with 1,653 yards. He leads Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (1,448) and Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (1,429). Jacobs is primed to be the Raiders’ first NFL rushing king since Marcus Allen (1,759 yards in 16 games) did it in 1985. Jacobs is a free agent and will either be franchised tagged, extended or hit the open market in March. it was a hell of a year by a tailback who opened the year by playing in the Hall of Fame game in August.</p>
<p id="ABuisC"><strong>Stidham is so-so:</strong></p>
<p id="8SRhbB">Jarrett Stidham was a revelation in Week 17 as he tore up the NFL’s best defense as he threw for 365 yards, three touchdown passes and led the team to 34 points in an overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>. It was an incredible effort in his first NFL start. He was the talk of the league in the Raiders’ first-post Carr outing. This week, he was much less effective. Now, Stidham made some nice plays and he showed goog mobility as he ran for 50 yards. But, he also took some lumps. He is a free agent and McDaniels, who helped draft him in New England and then traded for this year, will likely want him back. But at this point, it may be more as a backup than a starter. But we shall see how the quarterback plan shakes out this offseason.</p>
<p id="8lIjcx"><strong>Tough day for offensive line:</strong></p>
<p id="8p1kWa">Whatever the Raiders do at quarterback, they have to work on the offensive line. The unit was game, but it struggled a lot. the season ended with Kansas City getting six sacks and defensive lineman Chris Jones wrecking shop with 2.5 sacks. Again, improving this unit is a must this offseason.</p>
<p id="JC8Sw7"><strong>Playing for Damar:</strong></p>
<p id="2U1e6a">This was the first NFL game since <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field Monday night at Cincinnati and the game had to be cancelled. The entire NFL is supporting Hamlin with jersey patches and No. 3 highlighted on the field among other tributes. There was a pre-game tribute to Hamlin, who is making excellent progress in a Cincinnati hospital.</p>
<div id="ZlL9rI">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big show of support for Damar Hamlin (<a href="https://twitter.com/HamlinIsland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HamlinIsland</a>) here at Allegiant Stadium <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/pRAwle8UVJ">pic.twitter.com/pRAwle8UVJ</a></p>— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/_CassieSoto/status/1611836367629352960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="gfxCjo">Players, coaches and personnel for both the Raiders and the Chiefs wore shirts of support for Hamlin. This was a terrible event that has drawn the entire league closer.</p>
<div id="SWzAYq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Players and staff from both the Raiders and Chiefs wearing Love For Damar shirts today at Allegiant Stadium. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/vegas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#vegas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#raiders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/raidernation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#raidernation</a> <a href="https://t.co/fHRygvhA1h">pic.twitter.com/fHRygvhA1h</a></p>— Mick Akers (@mickakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/mickakers/status/1611800776795656194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="U4VMeV"><strong>Lots of red, again:</strong></p>
<p id="eViq4b">Last week, Allegiant Stadium was filled by an estimated 75 percent of San Francisco 49ers fans. This week, it was a sea of red again as many Kansas City fans made the trip to Las Vegas as they did last year. </p>
<div id="WZRb04">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Patrick Mahomes getting MVP chants at Allegiant Stadium. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/vegas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#vegas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/raidernation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#raidernation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChiefsKingdom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChiefsKingdom</a> <a href="https://t.co/lJIdL66nXf">pic.twitter.com/lJIdL66nXf</a></p>— Mick Akers (@mickakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/mickakers/status/1611808756349952000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="wDwzHZ">This has become a sticking point in the two seasons in which fans have been allowed into Allegiant Stadium. If a fan base travels well, the odds are they will swarm Allegiant Stadium. With home games against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> and <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> in 2023 (both fan bases are noted for traveling well), the same trend will likely continue. Raiders’ owner Mark Davis <a href="https://www.outkick.com/mark-davis-wants-tom-brady-but-does-josh-mcdaniels/">reportedly is upset </a>by the trend, but it’s unlikely there’s much that can be done. Las Vegas is a destination. So, this is something that Davis will likely have to get used to something that was definitely not an issue when the franchise was based in Oakland. Also, the Raiders need to learn how to win at Allegiant Stadium in general. The Raiders are 11-14 when playing in Las Vegas.</p>
<p id="GbisBs"></p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23528562/raiders-chiefs-7-things-we-learned-week-18Bill Williamson2023-01-07T12:10:31-08:002023-01-07T12:10:31-08:00Raiders-Chiefs inactives: Josh Jacobs is playing
<figure>
<img alt="San Francisco 49ers v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n69vbeiIcZ-h01xLZWk2pl4UXMA=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71837969/1453681081.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh Jacobs | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Star running back is playing for ailing father</p> <p id="prnl5F">An emotional Josh Jacobs will be trying to win the NFL rushing title Saturday, as he is active for the season finale against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.</p>
<p id="x1h5MJ">Jacobs was listed as questionable on the <a href="https://www.raiders.com/team/injury-report/week/REG-18">Raiders’ final injury report of the week</a> (and of the season) that was released Thursday. He suffer an injury against the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> that caused him to miss some game time, and he has two injury designations listed on this week’s report, a hip and oblique. Also, the team added “NIR-Personal” as a reason for him missing the last two days of practice. It was the fifth time in the second half of the season that Jacobs was listed as questionable on the injury report. He had played in every game.</p>
<p id="NvPF8A">It turned out his personal issue was that his father, Marty, had to have emergency heart surgery in Tulsa this week. His father asked his son to play in the finale.</p>
<div id="XRCT9n">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is incredible: Josh Jacobs’ 6-year-old son, Braxton, found his grandfather in pain Tuesday and called 911. Marty Jacobs had heart surgery Wednesday and remains hospitalized in intensive care. But he plans to watch Josh try to wrap up the NFL rushing title today. <a href="https://t.co/tyu64nk2xj">https://t.co/tyu64nk2xj</a></p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1611809936647798784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="bHg3I2">Jacobs leads the NFL in rushing with 1,608 yards. He <a href="https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/rushing/2022/reg/all/rushingyards/desc">leads Nick Chubb by 160 yards</a> and Derrick Henry by 179, so Jacobs can become the first Raider to bring home the rushing crown since Marcus Allen did it in 1985. Jacobs needs 152 yards to break Allen’s team record of 1,759 yards that season. That was set in 16 games. This is the Raiders’ 17th game.</p>
<p id="4XI5kz">Of course, Jacobs is a free agent after this season. The Raiders can either franchise tag, extend Jacobs or let him hit the open market in March. Jacobs will play in all 17 games this season. He never had previously played a full season and missed a total of six games in his first three NFL seasons</p>
<p id="FIZSyK">Meanwhile, rookie linebacker Darien Butler was ruled out Thursday with a concussion. The Raiders’ other inactive players Saturday are:</p>
<div id="5EZNeC">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The following players are inactive for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KCvsLV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KCvsLV</a> <a href="https://t.co/dctFJ7cU9A">pic.twitter.com/dctFJ7cU9A</a></p>— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1611816162140250113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="UmpEIZ">For Kansas City, receiver/returner Mecole Hardman is inactive, but kicker Harrison Butker is active.</p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23542474/raiders-chiefs-inactives-josh-jacobs-active-dadBill Williamson2023-01-07T11:11:00-08:002023-01-07T11:11:00-08:00Raiders-Chiefs open thread
<figure>
<img alt="San Francisco 49ers v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YWCGKM14C1-Gn7tSKionDSpaOak=/0x334:4704x3470/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71837979/1453977745.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>GO RAIDERS | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s Week 18</p> <p id="EJtaik">Our regular-season finale is here as the Raiders host the Chiefs.</p>
<p id="iE2FGv">Discuss it all here.</p>
<p id="mJQqdr"></p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23380798/raiders-chiefs-open-threadBill Williamson2023-01-07T08:44:30-08:002023-01-07T08:44:30-08:00Raiders vs. Chiefs: How to watch, game time, TV schedule, streaming and more
<figure>
<img alt="Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3ezPDF5hKaj_OZARavcDnvSJpmk=/0x1:7154x4770/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71837305/1433182105.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raiders, Chiefs | Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m.. PT, here’s everything you need to know on how to watch the game</p> <p id="1eq9wK">This isn’t the regular-season finale the Las Vegas Raiders imagined.</p>
<p id="irh7GP">Unlike last year when the Raiders clinched a playoff berth at home in Week 18, the pre-game feel of this game is much less dramatic. The disappointing Raiders are simply playing out the string. The Kansas City Chiefs, however, are still in the mix for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs.</p>
<p id="69o0SM"> Still, the Raiders are playing for pride and would love to send their AFC West rival to the postseason with an upset loss.</p>
<aside id="9O9FFM"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Raiders Week 18 opponent: Meet the Chiefs","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/2/23528515/raiders-vs-chiefs-week-18-preview-score"}]}'></div></aside><p id="c7kezC"><strong>Game info:</strong></p>
<p id="FjeCpJ"><strong>Records: </strong>The Raiders are 6-10, the Chiefs are 13-3.</p>
<p id="e9DJcq"><strong>TV Schedule</strong></p>
<p id="paragraph3"><strong>Date:</strong> Jan. 7, 2023</p>
<p id="ySlRa5"><strong>Time: </strong>1:30 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="hlNJtM"><strong>Channel:</strong> ABC, ESPN</p>
<p id="bj2JmC"><strong>Announcers:</strong> Steve Levy, Louis Riddick, Dan Orlovsky.</p>
<p id="pIuudh"><strong>Location: </strong>Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.</p>
<p id="CmU9D6"><strong>Radio</strong>: KOMP 92.3 FM and KRLV “Raider Nation Radio” 920 AM, Westwood One</p>
<aside id="UvdtTD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Las Vegas Raiders Radio Network affiliate stations","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/23411896/raiders-radio-network-affiliate-stations"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Mbhoeb"><strong>Watch on mobile:</strong></p>
<p id="13EmkO">Live game streams are available on the following platforms for those in-market*:</p>
<ul>
<li id="6DKhYW">
<a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/"><strong>Raiders</strong></a> + Allegiant Stadium App (iOS and Android devices)</li>
<li id="CWJkbI">Raiders.com on iOS mobile devices (Safari browser only via <a href="https://www.raiders.com/watch-live-games/web/reg/en/2020-reg-1-raiders-at-panthers-en"><strong>this direct link</strong></a>)</li>
</ul>
<p id="TRU5xd"><strong>Weather:</strong> It’s always nice inside Allegiant Stadium.</p>
<p id="YZBQX7"><strong>Betting: </strong>Chiefs -7.5, 52.5 O/U at <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/q8f9?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D126225999%26wpcid%3D163147%26wpcn%3DHowtoWatchContent%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163147&psn=Vox&pcrn=HowtoWatchContent&pscn=NFL">DraftKings Sportsbook.</a></p>
<h3 id="k6T5fy"><strong>Follow Silver and Black Pride on social media!</strong></h3>
<p id="yYsAwB"><strong>Twitter - </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SilverBlakPride"><strong>@SilverBlakPride</strong></a></p>
<p id="vizEL7"><strong>Facebook - Silver and Black Pride</strong></p>
<p id="33pSVw"><strong>Opponent Blog: </strong><a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Arrowhead Pride</a><a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">.</a></p>
<p id="zeTNsH"></p>
<p id="2j33M6"></p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23519177/raiders-vs-chiefs-live-stream-start-time-how-to-watch-tv-channel-schedule-odds-week-18-kickoffBill Williamson2023-01-07T07:00:00-08:002023-01-07T07:00:00-08:00Silver Minings: Raiders-Chiefs final score predictions
<figure>
<img alt="Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nH-IFYQGeOBeYrZUE5I_qPnD0Is=/0x1:7896x5265/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71837017/1433177125.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Reid, Maxx Crosby | Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What’s the score going to be?</p> <p id="9OlKt8">It’s that time of the week again. We want to hear your Week 18 prediction.</p>
<p id="sSAQtU">We want to know your predictions for the final score in the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>’ home game against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> in the season finale at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PT.</p>
<p id="pmM95B">Please give your final score predictions in the comment section below and the reason why.</p>
<p id="ny9jOX">The Raiders, of course, blew a 17-0 lead and lost to the Chiefs won 30-29 at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 5. Will this game be as close. What do you think?</p>
<p id="8emYRC">Let’s see how it goes and thanks for playing along.</p>
<p id="XIGspE">In other Raiders’ news:</p>
<ul>
<li id="gA63QB">
<strong>Reviewing the ugliness: </strong>The Athletic looks at the keys to the Raiders’ <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4055498%2F2023%2F01%2F05%2Fraiders-chiefs-observations-predictions%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silverandblackpride.com%2F2023%2F1%2F7%2F23463289%2Fraiders-chiefs-final-score-predictions" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">disappointing season.</a>
</li>
<li id="sw0RK0">
<strong>Happy White:</strong> The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4062673%2F2023%2F01%2F06%2Fraiders-zamir-white%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silverandblackpride.com%2F2023%2F1%2F7%2F23463289%2Fraiders-chiefs-final-score-predictions" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">has a profile</a> of Raiders’ rookie running back Zamir White, who could play a lot today.</li>
<li id="mJVYkt">
<strong>Mail call: </strong>The Raiders’ website <a href="https://www.raiders.com/news/mailbag/raiders-mailbag-can-the-offense-build-upon-their-momentum-to-end-the-season">has a mailbag.</a>
</li>
<li id="KwCUAZ">
<strong>Cool stuff: </strong>Former Raiders’ quarterback Rich Gannon <a href="https://twitter.com/PGutierrezESPN/status/1611439537003319296?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">will light</a> the Al Davis torch before today’s game.</li>
<li id="XGgrQr">
<strong>Jimmy G?</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/dpshow/status/1611469732275982338">Maybe so.</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="4g1f5K"></p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/7/23463289/raiders-chiefs-final-score-predictionsBill Williamson2023-01-06T14:53:45-08:002023-01-06T14:53:45-08:00Raiders vs. Chiefs: Area of Concern
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dkqWgxHM2BrOW8Q1kg-ZqVOuKQE=/0x0:4016x2677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71835424/usa_today_19678485.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Reid’s (right) Kansas City Chiefs offense is a domineering group that can score at will. Can the Las Vegas Raiders defense marginally disrupt Big Red? | Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Can Patrick Graham’s Las Vegas defense marginally disrupt Andy Reid’s Kansas City offense?</p> <p id="GpIt7u">Defending the juggernaut that’s the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> offense can be absolutely ridiculous at times. Andy Reid’s Big Red Machine is the top-ranked unit in the league in points scored (465) and yards gained (6,683) heading into the final week of the regular season and shows little signs of slowing down. </p>
<p id="5kxI13">Stopping — let’s be real here: marginally disrupting — the Chiefs offense is a tall task for <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. His unit is ranked 25th and 26th in points allowed (387) and yards yielded (5,867) and is coming off a game where the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> racked up 454 yards and 37 points. </p>
<p id="XRFlbg">Saturday afternoon’s final clash between the host Raiders and visiting Chiefs has the makings of a fireworks display with Las Vegas likely to be burnt by the firepower. </p>
<p id="UM8Hlw">In 17 games, the 13-3 Chiefs were held under 20 points only once this season — a 17-point output in a 20-17 loss to the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> way back in Week 3. Flip it to the 6-10 Raiders, and the least amount of points they allowed was 13 to the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> in a 13-10 loss two weeks ago. Of course, the cold along with a rookie quarterback captaining Pittsburgh played a part in that. </p>
<p id="K50Ftj">Against Kansas City, Las Vegas finds itself trying to stymie quarterback Patrick Mahomes who’s thrown for 5,048 yards, 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His top target, the ageless Travis Kelce. The 33-year-old tight end has 104 receptions for 1,300 yards and team-leading 12 touchdown catches for Kansas City this season. The second-highest touchdown receptions count goes to versatile tailback Jerick McKinnon with eight. He’s hauled in 54 passes for 512 yards. </p>
<p id="lYCFgi">Covering running backs out of the backfield isn’t a Las Vegas strength and expect Kansas City to exploit to the extreme. Especially considering the Raiders linebacker unit is decimated by injury and beset by ineffectiveness. The loss of middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (shoulder injury) has opened up snaps for undrafted free agent Luke Masterson and others. And like Perryman, Masterson is a better run defender than cover man. The depth at linebacker is so thin that veteran Harvey Langi was signed off the street and ended up starting against San Francisco. He played 45 snaps (67 percent of the Raiders total defensive count) and finished with nine total tackles. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3J_VbA1sbWcYlZssPpL9RDvALF0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24338585/usa_today_19710373.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) is second on the team with eight touchdown catches. </figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="MLFte1">If there’s a takeaway from the Raiders and Chiefs initial meeting of 2022 — a close 30-29 win by Kansas City back in Week 5 — is Las Vegas defense limited Kansas City to 10 first-half points. As you can see, the flipside of that is the Raiders allowed 20 second-half points in the narrow defeat. The lack of complementary football contributes heavily to this, however. In five losses in which Las Vegas held the halftime lead, it was outscored 113-32 in the second half. </p>
<p id="02iiXa">The inability to add onto their lead on offense dampens the ability of the defense to prevent points and the result speaks for itself. </p>
<p id="AdGEbi">Last Sunday’s loss to San Francisco was one of the few times where the offense was game and scored 17 points in the first and second halves while the defense floundered throughout. Of course, Las Vegas defense was down to defenders who would be special teamers on better-built teams. </p>
<p id="ZGJcIT">Plenty of blame belongs on Graham’s shoulders. After all, he’s the defensive coordinator — talent deficient or not. Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels isn’t one to blame one particular individual and backs Graham as defensive boss. </p>
<p id="lqJ9o6">“I think Pat’s done a great job of that, our staff has too. And look, these are our guys,” McDaniels began. “These are our guys, and so whether we drafted them, signed them, or they were here before we got here, it doesn’t make any difference in football, like this is our team. So, to me, we coach them all the same. We don’t look at how they ended up here. That’s not what we’re judging. What we’re judging is what they do on a day-to-day basis. And our job is to try to help them improve. In many cases, especially some of our younger players, have really showed some progress throughout the course of the season.</p>
<p id="enFoAz">“We’ve played a ton of players on defense. That’s an exciting thing as we move forward. I know not everybody’s excited about that at the moment, but that’s a good thing as we progress here. Look, any blame, I mean, like I said, we all share it. It starts with me.”</p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/6/23539521/raiders-chiefs-week-19-matchup-previewRay Aspuria2023-01-06T12:08:00-08:002023-01-06T12:08:00-08:00Raiders outlook: The focus will soon shift to 2023 NFL Draft
<figure>
<img alt="Houston Texans v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N2oSDuU5NdRv5unFFE8sTZDilvw=/0x249:3285x2439/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71834318/1436075376.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh McDaniels, Dave Ziegler | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Las Vegas should be in good draft shape come April </p> <p id="XkG782">The <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> are two days away from fully focusing on the the offseason and preparing for the 2023 season after a terribly disappointing first year under new coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.</p>
<p id="5idIF0">With the Raiders just 6-10 going into Saturday’s season finale against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> at Allegiant Stadium (kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PT), the Las Vegas brass knows there is a lot of work to do this offseason. Of course, a focal point will be the April 27-29 draft.</p>
<p id="puUGec">The Raiders are currently on pace to select No. 8 in the first round. They could get as high as No. 6. The Raiders also some extra picks in lower rounds and could increase their draft capital if they can swing a trade for lame-duck quarterback Derek Carr.</p>
<aside id="RMcDcN"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Initial thoughts on Raiders benching Derek Carr for rest of the season","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2022/12/28/23529798/raiders-derek-carr-benched-2022-season"}]}'></div></aside><p id="GyaHJE">This year will be different for the Raiders when it comes to the draft preparation. </p>
<ul>
<li id="hUOo9u">First, the organization has a full college season’s worth of assessment as a group unlike last year when they put together their front office in early February.</li>
<li id="dUmmGA"> Also, of course, the Raiders will have their full draft selections available after giving up their first and second-round picks last year in the great Davante Adams trade with the Green Bay Packers. </li>
</ul>
<p id="bW6BhH">This week, McDaniels addressed the difference in the approaches and how the Raiders will prepare for this year’s draft.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="JTL6r5">“There was a certain number of players that we probably knew last year going into the draft that we were going to have a hard time accessing. Just being factual. You’re looking at the board and the guys that you think like, okay, are they going to go in the 40s, 50s or 60s. You’re not sure, but you might have a shot at them maybe if they fall a little bit. There were certainly guys that you pretty much had a great idea that they were going to be gone in the first 30, 35, 40 picks,” McDaniels told reporters this week. “We evaluated them all. Like I said, there’s a long-term benefit to doing that too because players go on to second and third contracts and it’s the right thing to do your due diligence on that. So, we did that. But I would say this year, obviously there’s going to be a different element, a different feeling as we go into the that part of the year because there’s going to be a number of players now that who the hell knows how the first so many picks go. </p>
<p id="POE0rP">“And you just got to be ready to go and hopefully add a bunch of good players to your football team. The other thing that obviously could happen, and I’m not sitting here prognosticating anything so please don’t write anything about this. Like, when you have things and you have more, you can move back. There are all those things that you could do too that we really didn’t have as much of an opportunity to do with where we were slated to pick first last year. There’s a lot of different things that will probably come up and take place between now and then that Dave [Ziegler] is obviously already hard at work on a lot of different things. But when you pick early in each round, and you have a pick in every round, that obviously changes the draft relative to what we had last year.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="RK0cO0">This will be a vital offseason in Las Vegas and the Raiders are set up nicely to improve in the draft. Soon, that’s what we’ll be focusing on.</p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/6/23537828/raiders-news-nfl-draft-2023Bill Williamson2023-01-06T09:54:57-08:002023-01-06T09:54:57-08:005 questions with Arrowhead Pride
<figure>
<img alt="Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-jGLEulOl3GyhGxahSOcKAZe2vU=/0x14:4797x3212/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71832640/1432381526.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh Jacobs | Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Time to play spoiler</p> <p id="elYCpi">The <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a> will wrap up their 2022-23 campaign as heavy underdogs on <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/3/88808?wpcid=163146&wpcn=Inarticle&wpcrid=NFL&wpsrc=Vox">DraftKings Sportsbook</a> to their most-hated rival, the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. With the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs">NFL playoffs</a> out of the question, the Raiders don’t have much to fight for but they can play a key role in disrupting the Chiefs’ <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> hopes.</p>
<p id="GnI5RC">After the NFL announced that last Monday’s <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>-<a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> will not be made up, the Chiefs just have to beat the Raiders this weekend to claim the AFC’s top seed, earn that coveted first-round bye and avoid going to Buffalo for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> game. Just how important is all of that for Kansas City?</p>
<aside id="hDIBTt"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Raiders Week 18 opponent: Meet the Chiefs","url":"https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/2/23528515/raiders-vs-chiefs-week-18-preview-score"}]}'></div></aside><p id="jzHyXc">Well, <a href="https://twitter.com/tomchilds56">Tom Childs</a> of Arrowhead Pride thinks it could be a big difference between them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and going home before even making it to the big game, as Childs weighed in on that topic and a few others for this week’s five questions.</p>
<p id="hfZfRK"><strong>Question: How important do you think it is that the Chiefs get the top seed in the AFC playoff standings? Is there any chance they use this as their bye and maybe look past the Raiders this week, so the Raiders end up covering the two-possession spread on </strong><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/3/88808?wpcid=163146&wpcn=Inarticle&wpcrid=NFL&wpsrc=Vox"><strong>DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></a><strong>?</strong></p>
<p id="8anwJN">Answer: It’s huge because this version of the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t winning four playoff games in a row — period — so this game is massive. The Chiefs have been known to look a game ahead at times throughout the Andy Reid era, and when they do it is a disaster. </p>
<p id="gmm7zo">However, I don’t expect the Chiefs to check out at all. They have a huge opportunity here and as I eluded to earlier, they aren’t playing their best football right now, so this game REALLY matters. They know what is at stake and that a loss will dramatically decrease their chances of winning the Super Bowl. Although I can’t guarantee A+ execution from the Chiefs Saturday night, I can certainly guarantee an A+ effort. </p>
<p id="77Ixiz"><strong>Q: Let’s say Kansas City ends up with the two-seed. Which potential Wild Card team do you think they match up best with, and which team worries you the most in the first round?</strong></p>
<p id="HHsXsq">A: I would love to see the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> come to Arrowhead for the second year in a row if the Chiefs did happen to drop to the 2nd seed. However, I must say that I have serious issues with the introduction of a 7th seed into the playoffs, full stop. I strongly believe that the gap between the top of the AFC is much greater than it is in the middle to the bottom of the conference and that these games only carry injury risks for the better clubs. </p>
<p id="lRA1ei">Saying that I have no say in the way the league is run and only expect more playoff teams to be added as time goes by. So why not have the easiest game possible?</p>
<p id="Pehdmf">If the Steelers came to town then I think it would be a lot like last year: A Chiefs blowout win minus the coverage of the end of Ben Roethlisberger’s career. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZyMqYhWTCDCquEaaKzPOMNgtGew=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24341034/1433181642.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Patrick Mahomes</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="ZmrCfr"><strong>Q: I know Patrick Mahomes has little to no flaws, but if you could pick one thing for him to get better at in the offseason, what would it be and why?</strong></p>
<p id="EsTZkR">A: Remember when he was drafted and every scout out there was shouting ‘he has no footwork, he’ll never cut it in the NFL’? Well more fool them because it turns out footwork from a quarterback is overrated — especially when they have the arm talent of Mahomes. </p>
<p id="udxZIh">But...</p>
<p id="96tPKZ">Last week, it genuinely hurt him. His footwork was the sloppiest it has been in a while and he suffered for it in the second half against the Broncos. It didn’t cost the Chiefs then but we have seen what it can do when Mahomes isn’t on his A game. See the second half of the 2021 AFC Championship Game. </p>
<p id="tP62nR">If he can tidy it up a little then it will make him a better quarterback, no doubt. Even now, I’m reading that back and I can’t believe that I am nit-picking at Patrick Lavon ‘Bronco Killer’ Mahomes. </p>
<p id="CTtwoS"><strong>Q: Who would you say the Chiefs’ biggest impending free agent is going to be, and how much of an impact would that player’s departure have on the team moving forward?</strong></p>
<p id="s6ZTne">A: As per multiple top free agent lists, one of the guys frequently placed in the top 10 is Orlando Brown Jr. Honestly, he’d be lucky to be in my top 20. </p>
<p id="69rmrG">Considering the outlay given to the Ravens for his services plus the endless amount of self-worth, Brown Jr. has been a bit disappointing. I personally thought he was mad to turn the deal that the Chiefs offered him last year — I just hope that the Chiefs don’t go back to him offering an increased offer because I think the Chiefs could find a replacement for a lot cheaper.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mq0HrBvM0GQVsBecPD7GJZSCmJg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24341038/1433181464.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Travis Kelce</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="EpBkAi"><strong>Q: Putting aside any biases, how do you think the playoffs play out? Do you like the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl? </strong></p>
<p id="6LNVp6">A: Nope!</p>
<p id="C5zOoa">I’m fully expecting the Chiefs fans that take a wander over to your site to get on my case, but they would be wrong. Yes, the Chiefs have Mahomes. Yes, the Chiefs have Kelce. Yes, the Chiefs have Andy Reid. But they also have A LOT of problems. </p>
<p id="p114yD">Turnovers, dropped passes, injuries, special teams mishaps — sadly, the Chiefs do it all. None of this is what’s needed for a title-chasing team. Week after week, Chiefs fans spend way too much time talking about special teams assignments or how a ball should be held on a place kick. Come on, it’s Week 18! Problems like this should not exist in Week 18. </p>
<p id="emvHn8">Kansas City has gotten away with all of the above recently, but they won’t in January. </p>
<p id="QE6WIo">My playoff predictions: I originally had the Chiefs over the Eagles at the start of the season but as of now, I have the Bills over the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>.</p>
<p id="4Gi9cf">Thanks for having me! Enjoy the game!</p>
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/1/6/23542506/raiders-chiefs-week-18-preview-nfl-playoffsMatt Holder