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5 takeaways from the Las Vegas Raiders’ Black Friday heartbreaker vs. the Chiefs

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5 takeaways from the Las Vegas Raiders’ Black Friday heartbreaker vs. the Chiefs

The Las Vegas Raiders sunk to eight straight losses with a heartbreaking 19-17 defeat from Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders (2-10) did plenty of things right, but it was their game-sealing mistake that will loom largest in this rivalry loss from GEHA Field.

Las Vegas outgained Kansas City in total yards, 434-329. The Raiders also ran the football more effectively throughout than they have all season, totaling 116 yards on the ground and 4.6 yards per carry.

Still, it ended in a stinging defeat at one of the Raiders’ hated rivals. Here’s five takeaways from the Raiders’ Week 13 loss at Kansas City.

The fumble overshadows positives

Unfortunately, the end-of-game blunder involving center Jackson Powers-Johnson, right guard Dylan Parham and quarterback Aidan O’Connell will overshadow a lot of the positive that happened in this game for the Raiders.

Sitting in prime position to potentially stun the Chiefs again in another holiday battle, Powers-Johnson snapped the football with the play clock draining and O’Connell looking down the line of scrimmage and unprepared for the snap.

Watching the replay, Parham taps Powers-Johnson’s thigh, seemingly alerting the rookie to snap the football. The Chiefs pounced on the football and any attempt at a game-winning field goal vanished in the blink of an eye.

The Raiders were positioned on the Kansas City 32-yard line at the time of the snap. O’Connell took the blame for the debacle after the loss.

For a team that’s now lost eight straight, there will be plenty of finger pointing to go around.

Aidan O’Connell still delivered one of his finest starts

Putting the game-sealing fumble aside, O’Connell delivered one of his best starts as a Raiders quarterback on Friday from Arrowhead Stadium.

O’Connell completed 23-of-35 passes for 340 yards. It featured a number of pinpoint passes, including his 58-yard dart to wide receiver Tre Tucker.

The Raiders are still going to be selecting their franchise quarterback of the future in the 2025 NFL draft, but they have a serviceable, longterm backup quarterback on hand in O’Connell.

Ameer Abdullah’s kickoff return nearly flipped the game

Las Vegas running back Ameer Abdullah provided a big-time spark and nearly flipped this game in the Raiders’ favor with his 68-yard punt return. Abdullah nearly housed it, but Kansas City’s Chamarri Conner managed to track him down at the KC 26-yard line.

But, it didn’t take long for O’Connell and the Raiders to cash in. O’Connell connected with Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers for a 33-yard touchdown three snaps later.

After forcing a KC three-and-out, O’Connell connected with Tucker for the big touchdown pass and the Raiders had their first and only lead of the day.

The Raiders didn’t complete enough drives early

One of the costly themes of the season reared its ugly head once more. The NFL is all about winning in the margins, and the Raiders left opportunities on the board early.

Las Vegas drove to the Kansas City 4-yard line on its second series, but a false start backed the Raiders up. The Raiders would settle for a field goal after O’Connell was sacked on third down by Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Another promising first-half drive ended with a missed 56-yard field goal. Then, in the second half, the Raiders were turned away on downs at the KC 30-yard line and the Raiders missed two more field goals of 55 and 58 yards.

Brock Bowers is inevitable

Right now, it’s rave reviews every week for Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Even with teams scheming up for Bowers, he continues to produce week after week.

Bowers caught 10 passes for a new career-high 140 yards. The Raiders rookie found the end zone for the fourth time in his young career and for the third time in Las Vegas’ past four games.

 

Las Vegas Raiders

Shedeur Sanders sends Shocking message to Super Bowl multi-winner concerning joining Las Vegas Raiders

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Shedeur Sanders sends Shocking message to Super Bowl multi-winner concerning joining Las Vegas Raiders

Shedeur Sanders is giving a clear message to the former Buccaneers quarterback ahead of the NFL Draft.

The 2025 NFL Combine just wrapped up in Indianapolis and there were plenty of storylines throughout the week. One of the biggest though were the chatter of top quarterback prospects including Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers certainly aren’t looking for a franchise quarterback at the moment after the success they’ve been able to find with Baker Mayfield. However, one former Buccaneers’ quarterback, a Super Bowl champion one to be exact, received a message from Sanders during his combine podium interview.

Shedeur Sanders sends a message to former Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Being the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, Shedeur has always dealt with the cameras on him under the limelight, but it’s also given him access others haven’t received. One of those is building a relationship with the GOAT, Tom Brady.

“Tom Brady, he’s an all-time great,” Sanders said.

“Being able to have that resource, being able to have that person I’m able to talk to and call whenever I’m having questions about the game, he’s able to relate to it, because he did it at the highest level.”

Sanders has met with the Las Vegas Raiders, who are now minority owned by Brady.

“I met with [Vegas] here, I met with a lot of teams [at the combine]. It’s truly exciting, being able to meet coach [Pete Carroll] and everybody with the organization and staff. So, if they call me and say, ‘Come on and visit,’ you know I’ll be there.”

It’s easy to read that Sanders would like to unite with his buddy Brady in Vegas to be the future at quarterback under new head coach Pete Carroll.

In the latest NFL.com mock draft, Charles Davis has the Tennessee Titans selecting former Colorado star quarterback in Sanders at No. 1.

 

 

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CONFIRMED: Raiders signed Mouthwatering deal worth $74.22 million with Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao of the University of Southern California after…

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CONFIRMED: Raiders signed Mouthwatering deal worth $74.22 million with Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao of the University of Southern California after…

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed safety Isaiah Pola-Mao to a two-year contract extension worth up to $8.45 million. Pola-Mao, 25, is the nephew of Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu and has been with the Raiders since joining as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Over three seasons, he has appeared in 44 games, starting 14, and has accumulated 117 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles.

During the 2024 season, Pola-Mao stepped into a starting role after safety Marcus Epps suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. He started the final 14 games, recording career highs with 89 tackles, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. His performance in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars was particularly noteworthy; he tallied nine tackles and forced two fumbles in a 19-14 victory, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Pola-Mao’s journey from an undrafted free agent to a key defensive contributor underscores his resilience and dedication. His versatility and playmaking ability have made him a valuable asset in the Raiders’ secondary. With this extension, Pola-Mao is poised to continue his upward trajectory and solidify his role as a defensive leader for the team

The Raiders’ decision to secure Pola-Mao aligns with their broader strategy under new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. Spytek has emphasized the importance of retaining homegrown talent and building a cohesive unit. In a recent press conference, he highlighted Pola-Mao’s progression and the respect he commands within the organization.

As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming season, Pola-Mao’s presence in the defensive backfield will be crucial. His ability to read offenses, coupled with his physicality, enhances the team’s defensive schemes. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Pola-Mao continues to develop and impact the Raiders’ defense in the seasons to come.

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SAD NEWS: Raiders fans react with sadness as DE Maxx Crosby has reportedly signed a deal elsewhere following..

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SAD NEWS: Raiders fans react with sadness as DE Maxx Crosby has reportedly signed a deal elsewhere following.…..

Raiders fans are reacting with deep sadness and disappointment as news breaks that defensive end Maxx Crosby has reportedly signed a deal with another team. This move marks a significant turning point for the franchise, as Crosby has become a beloved figure in Las Vegas since joining the Raiders. His energy, determination, and leadership on the field made him one of the most recognizable faces of the team in recent years.

Crosby, drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, quickly became a standout performer. Over the past seasons, he emerged as one of the league’s top pass rushers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Raiders’ defense. His relentless work ethic and passion for the game earned him the respect of both fans and teammates, and he was widely regarded as a leader in the locker room.

The news of Crosby’s departure has sent shockwaves through the Raiders fanbase. Many are feeling the loss of a player who not only gave his all on every play but also embraced his role as an ambassador for the team. His presence in the community and his interactions with fans solidified his status as a fan favorite, and now, the thought of him playing in another uniform is a tough pill to swallow for many.

While some fans understand that business decisions must be made in the NFL, the emotional connection that Crosby had with the Raiders organization and its supporters is undeniable. His departure signals a new chapter for both Crosby and the Raiders, leaving fans to wonder how the team will adjust to life without their star defensive end. Despite the sadness, there’s hope that the Raiders will find new talent to step up and fill the void left by Crosby’s departure.

 

 

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REPORT: Raiders to Finally Get Their QB of the Future following Agreement with…

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REPORT: Raiders to Finally Get Their QB of the Future following Agreement with

The Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback situation has been a point of contention for the team for the past two seasons, but some would argue it has been an issue for longer. The lack of quality play from the quarterback position has cost the Raiders multiple wins over the last two seasons and a shot at the playoffs in the 2023-24 season.

Las Vegas has tried to find their next quarterback via free agency, with no luck.

The Raiders started the last two seasons with veteran quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew, who

who were fringe starters at best.

Both quarterbacks were failed experiments that effectively cost the Raiders two seasons. However, with new leadership now in place, the Raiders appear primed to finally address the position.

Two offseasons ago, the Raiders spent a fourth-round pick on quarterback Aidan O’Connell. He undoubtedly has a lot of room to grow, but he did not have a legitimate chance to grow into his own this season, as the Raiders spent too long into the season hoping Minshew would figure things out.

O’Connell has shown signs of potentially becoming a good quarterback in the NFL someday, in the right situation. However, few would argue O’Connell is irreplaceable or good enough that the Raiders should pass on an opportunity to add to the quarterback room.

Jacob Infante of the Pro Football Network predicts the Raiders will do that in the upcoming NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. Dajani also believes the Raiders will get the quarterback they coveted all along without having to trade up, which would be massive for the Silver and Black.

“The marriage of Shedeur Sanders to the Raiders feels too good to be true,” Infante said. “If the [Tennessee] Titans pass on a quarterback at No. 1, though, there’s a chance Las Vegas could select its quarterback of the future without having to mortgage the future,” Infante said. “Sanders is an accurate passer who stays tough in the pocket and delivers his throws with a sense of touch down the field. Having a head coach like Pete Carroll and a superstar target like Brock Bowers would help the Colorado star mask his shortcomings and emphasize his strengths.”

 

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BREAKING: Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Drops Truth Bombshell on Upcoming NFL Draft

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BREAKING: Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Drops Truth Bombshell on Upcoming NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders now have their head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. Now these two will work together to find players in the 2025 NFL Draft that best fit their scheme.

The Las Vegas Raiders found their new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. The Raiders will look to try things around quickly. They have two new leaders with a proven track record of getting franchises to places they want to. Now as the two fill out the rest of the coaching staff, they will start work on their draft board for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Heading into the draft the Silver and Black own the sixth overall pick. The Raiders biggest need in the draft and this offseason is a quarterback. The team has not had any stability at the quarterback position over the last few seasons.

The Raiders will need to find their next franchise quarterback and it can be in the NFL Draft in a couple of months. But it is most likely that the Raiders will need to move up a couple of spots if they want to draft one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft.

If the Raiders do not have a chance to get their guy at the quarterback position we can see them take the best overall pick once again like in last year’s draft with tight end Brock Bowers. The Raiders can also find their quarterback in free agency.

Raiders face of the franchise and star defensive player Maxx Crosby gave his thoughts about the upcoming NFL Draft.

“I think that is where a lot of teams get it wrong, they try to draft for need and take a lesser of a player because they feel they think they need to fill a hole,” said Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the Verse Us Podcast. “Like let us say you have a right tackle out, alright we need to draft the best right tackle but that right tackle might not be worth a first-round pick or second-round pick. I truly believe this, you build a team by just picking great players. It does not matter what your exact need is at that time.”

“We did not technically need a tight end but now look, he is a first-team All-Pro as a rookie. It has never been done. If you put great players on the field, your team is going to get better. You cannot chase, alright we need a quarterback, so we are just going to overdraft somebody that is not necessarily you know good enough to be drafted in that position.”

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