The Las Vegas Raiders entered Week 8 hoping to end a three-game losing streak. They’ll now march into Week 9 losing four consecutive contests as the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated.
Just tank, baby!
The Raiders may have suffered a 20-27 defeat on Sunday at the hands of the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions, but this loss wasn’t the result of a one-sided affair. Sunday’s contest was a hard-fought battle that presented many positives for Las Vegas.
One such example was the third-down sack 2023 first-rounder Tyree Wilson notched on Patrick Mahomes as he got into the sack column for the first time this season.
There were plenty of other positives on defense as well. Tre’von Moehrig, the team’s fourth-year safety, took a Patrick Mahomes pass back to Kansas City’s three yard-line. Newcomer K’Lavon Chaisson flashed his potential as he disrupted a few plays himself.
Offensively, receivers Jakobi Meyers and D.J. Turner were able to find the end zone. Brock Bowers led the way with five catches for a team-high 58 receiving yards and Gardner Minshew was responsible for two touchdowns and zero turnovers.
Well, almost.
Although Minshew didn’t record an interception for only the second time in a game this season, the 28-year-old fumbled the football while trying to stretch for an extra yard on a scramble.
This proved to be the true nail in the coffin as Kansas City put up six courtesy of Minshew’s turnover, extending their lead to 14.
The Raiders, however, did manage to get a touchdown before the two-minute warning to make it a one-possession game. Unfortunately, poor time management from Antonio Pierce left Sin City with zero timeouts and therefore no time left to mount a comeback.
Another week where the Las Vegas Raiders dig their own grave.
The Las Vegas Raiders sit 2-6; now what?
Simply put, it’s mock draft season for Raider Nation.
The Raiders aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, but the postseason is a long-shot at best. At this point, it’s more beneficial for Las Vegas to lose games than it is to win them.
And that’s okay.
Sometimes, all it takes is a high draft pick to change the trajectory of your franchise. The Houston Texans became unrecognizable, for the better, with the addition of quarterback C.J. Stroud through last year’s draft. This year, the 6-2 Washington Commanders are putting the NFL on notice with 2nd-overall pick Jayden Daniels one season after finishing their ’23 campaign with the second-worst record in football.
There’s no reason Las Vegas won’t be the next team to do a complete 180, either.
With cornerstone pieces such as Maxx Crosby and Brock Brocks, the Raiders truly have remarkable talent on their roster; too much to start with a 2-6 record. However, turnovers cost teams games, and Minshew has at least one turnover in every contest aside from one.
It may be worth noting that the Raiders walked away victorious in the only game Minshew was responsible for zero turnovers.
The above sentiment sparks an important question: Do the Raiders have a quarterback problem, or a Gardner Minshew problem? That’s a topic for another time. Either way, the Silver and Black need a new man under center, and the 2025 NFL Draft gives the team a chance to add whichever signal caller they prefer.
*Top Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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