The Las Vegas Raiders were embarrassed on their home turf in front of a national audience in Week 10, getting blown out 41-14 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
What was supposed to be one of the better games on the Sunday slate was anything but, as the Chiefs entered the game as a slight favorite. After watching Sunday's performance, that line was generous to the Raiders to say the least.
Las Vegas has now dropped two games in a row to fall to third in the AFC West at 5-4. Here are three takeaways from their soul-crushing defeat at the hands of the reigning AFC champs.
Las Vegas Raiders Week 10 takeaways vs. Chiefs
1. Las Vegas Run Game Was Non-Existent
The Raiders have been abysmal on the ground in 2021, sitting at 28th in rushing yards per game. Running back Josh Jacobs has really struggled this season and only mustered up 16 yards on seven carries.
Derek Carr threw a bad game-turning interception in the third quarter that spoiled any chance of a Raiders comeback. Carr is no longer throwing for godly numbers like he did earlier in the season. If Las Vegas wants to win going forward, they're going to need a balanced offensive attack, and right now they don't have that. Relying solely on Carr's arm to begin the season at 3-0 was a fun story, but it was never going to be sustainable.
2. Where's The Defense?
After a big improvement on defense in comparison to past years, Las Vegas went back to old habits and got clobbered on the big stage. The Raiders allowed more than 400 yards through the air and nearly 100 yards on the ground as well.
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The Raiders were unable to sustain any pressure on Patrick Mahomes, and he had his way with the defense all game long. Kansas City converted 60% of the time on third down, while Las Vegas was only 1-for-9 when it mattered most. Las Vegas also took nine penalties for 68 yards, with time of possession also being lopsided in favor of Kansas City.
The Chiefs only had one stalled drive, and they even successfully pulled off a fake punt in the fourth quarter to take the energy completely out of the building.
3. Disastrous Raiders Debut For DeSean Jackson
The leash with veteran wideout DeSean Jackson may be short in Las Vegas after his horrible debut on Sunday. In his first game with his new team, the 34-year-old speedster made only one catch for 31 yards, and it … didn't exactly end well:
What on earth is Desean Jackson doing?
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) November 15, 2021
Jackson was signed to the Raiders in wake of the Henry Ruggs III DUI incident. The Raiders are pretty thin at receiver with names like Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow. Tight end Darren Waller has been underwhelming thus far in 2021, with only two games of 70 or more yards. Waller is now coming off his worst performance of the season, catching four passes for only 24 yards.
Las Vegas will need Jackson to shake off the mistake quick and fill part of the massive hole that was left when Ruggs got arrested.
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