Chiefs-Raiders: 5 winners, 7 losers from Week 13 win

The Kansas City Chiefs – your two-time defending Super Bowl champions – are 11-1 and officially qualified for the postseason after a 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

That’s the headline, right?

There is nothing else to discuss this week. It was a comfortable two-point win with nothing untoward happening. The game plan, the decisions and the execution were right. The only problems were the ones we already knew about.

By now you already know that most of this is not true – except for the first part. But in a month, that’s the only part that matters.

Here are some of the highlights from Friday’s frustrating, crazy and improbable victory.

winner

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Defensive linemen Chris Jones and George Karlaftis: The Chiefs’ pass rush was back against the Raiders – and very effective. Chris Jones led the way with two sacks and a lot of pressure. George Karlaftis effectively put the Raiders out of field goal range with a third-down sack, forcing a failed 55-yard attempt by Daniel Carlson. The arrow points up for Sack City. The return of Charles Omenihu played no small role in the great game these two played.

The Chiefs pass catchers: Four players had at least four catches and fifty yards. The focal point of the crime? Tight ends Travis Kelce (seven catches for 68 yards) and Noah Gray (four catches for 58 yards) were the leaders. But the combination of wide receivers Xavier Worthy (five for 54) and DeAndre Hopkins (four for 90) was also quite productive – if not as efficient, with nine catches on 16 targets. This offense should continue to improve when quarterback Patrick Mahomes has more time – and when Hollywood Brown is back in the game. But now, 270 yards spread pretty evenly between four guys is a pretty good recipe.

Linebacker Nick Bolton: The former Mizzou star led both teams with 11 total tackles – one for a loss. Bolton was briefly injured and returned to make two of the game’s biggest defensive plays: a crucial tackle on a fourth down and the game-winning fumble recovery.

Chiefs fans: The loudest stadium in sports came through on a cold “Black Friday” evening – right when it mattered most. The Raiders found themselves on the edge of field goal range and running out of playing time on the way to a heartbreaking victory. But the noise from the crowd contributed to the rookie center grabbing the ball too early. The ball bounced off quarterback Aiden O’Connell, was kicked and then recovered by Bolton. The defense received strong support from the fans surrounding GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. If you’re thinking, “Yeah, but Chiefs fans didn’t have fun watching this,” remember: At least they (and we) aren’t Raiders fans. These fans saw their placekicker miss three field goals — and squander an attempt to miss a fourth.

loser

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor: You probably came here to read this. It was a Worries the whole season – and a problem in a few games. The problem became terrible on Friday. Morris had NO Chance against the Raiders’ edge rushers. Many fans got their wish when left-back Joe Thuney left to take Morris’ place. Newly signed tackle DJ Humphries will have a low bar to clear as he assumes the role of starting left tackle – perhaps as soon as next Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Head Coach Andy Reid: Starter Isiah Pacheco returned in a close game with Kareem Hunt against the Raiders – and the two defenders made it seven carriers each? When the offensive tackles struggled a lot – Mahomes once again had five sacks – Reid decided to pass the football almost 80% of the time. They punted from the Raiders’ 37-yard line and then attempted (and failed) a field goal from the 41-yard line. On a third-and-two with 2:03 left – with a chance to put the game on ice – the team chose a low shot at Worthy, which missed. Then the punting team came out, a timeout was called – and then the team punted. We saw a confusing game plan, sloppy execution and not many answers to the same problems we see over and over again with the team.

Defensive backs Chamarri Conner, Bryan Cook, Nazeeh Johnson and Justin Reid: Reid made a huge hit pass in the fourth quarter – and Conner scored a couple. But once again the reporting just wasn’t good enough. Miscommunication led to a few failed coverages – and just like in Week 12, it was too easy for an underperforming quarterback to find open receivers before pressure could arise. Unlike offensive tackle, there is no starter waiting to join the unit. You just have to think of something for the endurance run.