This team put up a tough fight in Kansas City. They almost repeated their surprise on Christmas Day last season. And it should have done so if it hadn’t been for a botched snap on the last play.

Both teams started slowly, with the score only 10-3 at halftime. Then the Chiefs pulled away and added a couple of field goals to make the game 16-3. But just when you thought the game was out of reach, the Raiders took the lead with two touchdown drives.

In the end, they had a chance to win the game with a field goal, but watched as the chance slipped away.

Baller

TE Brock Bowers

Bowers just continues to elevate his game. He again had double-digit catches, this time for 140 yards and a touchdown, the best of his career. He even had a ridiculous one-handed hold in the game. And on the final drive into field goal range, he made a 25-yard catch to midfield.

DE Maxx Crosby, DE K’Lavon Chaisson

Last week, Tyree Wilson shared the spotlight with Crosby. This week it’s Chaisson who routinely found his way into the backfield. Chaisson got to Patrick Mahomes three times for 1.5 sacks and a pressure that led to Crosby’s sack. Overall, Crosby had four QB hits and two tackles for a loss. While Chaisson had one tackle for loss and three QB hits.

WR Jakobi Meyers

Meyers had two big catches for 43 yards and 24 yards, starting the Raiders’ first scoring drive. He added a ten-yard catch on the final drive that brought the Raiders to the KC 40-yard line. He finished the game with six catches for 97 yards.

RB Ameer Abdullah

His 69-yard kick return in the third quarter came just in time. The Raiders were down 16-3 at the time and that put the team in business at the KC 26-yard line. They would score their first TD two plays later, making it a one-score game. On the final drive, he added two catches for 14 yards, including the seven-yard catch to put the team within field goal range and win the game.

QB Aidan O’Connell

If the Raiders had been able to complete the deal, O’Connell might have been the top baller in this game. He threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, leading the Raiders from a 16-3 deficit early in the fourth quarter and then down the field in what would have been the game-winning drive. But his clapping upset the line on the final play, leading to the ball being snapped early and costing them the win. Otherwise he was great. That’s why, despite his big mistake, he deserves credit for it in the end.

Honorable mention

DT Adam Butler – Second on the team in tackles (6) and had a half sack and a tackle for loss.

WR Tre Tucker – opened up deep down the left sideline for the touchdown to start the fourth quarter.

RB Sincere McCormick – Had 12 carries for 64 yards (5.3 yards per carry)