Offense Collapses Without Little D. Raiders
Eventually Cede Game 23-20 to Chiefs.
The defense could only do so much. For much of the game, Jamaal Charles was held in check as the offense at least put some drives together. The defense even scored, getting a pick six from Brandon Madison in the first quarter.
But then Danny Martens went down hard in what was a typical hard-hitting contest between the two AFL rivals.
With Schumacher at the helm, the team tried to continue it's usual attack. However, his first pass was picked off. Defense held the Chiefs to a field goal in a fierce goal line stand. Raiders led at the half 10-6.
The second half featured Bull Griggs getting going. His running let Schumacher fire off a couple passes in play action, and the drive ended with Griggs punching it across from a yard out.
But Charles was heating up. He broke off a 57-yard run to key a drive of his own. Charles squeezed through an opening to finish the drive, but the Chiefs failed the 2-pt conversion as Immanuel Dawn stopped up the lane. Raiders led 17-12 after three.
Another decent drive came to a disappointing end as the team settled for a short field goal. Schumacher showed the one thing he does better than Martens in the drive: scramble. A 5-yd run picked up a 3rd down to keep the drive alive. However, he, unlike Martens, could not find a way to finish. Raiders took the FG to take an 8-point lead.
Chiefs refused to give up and the defense could not get any momentum. The Chiefs continued to run. Charles returned to keep the punishment going, before he was knocked out for good by Earl Williams. Still, Stephens-Howling got the benefit of running against a waning defense, and Tim Maggitt took advantage with some timely passes. Patrick Peterson missed a chance for a pick, letting Dennis Pitta catch one over his back for a key conversion.
The Chiefs scored a TD and needed a 2-pt conversion to tie. Raiders were geared for the run, but the Chiefs ran a dig route and found space in the back of the end zone for the score. Game is tied up at 20.
And Schumacher wilted. He could not put together anything and the Raiders were forced to punt it away. The Chiefs faced stiffer opposition as the Raiders made Stephens-Howling work hard. But they got into position and kicked the go-ahead FG with just over a minute remaining.
Schumacher had a time out and a minute to go, but, again, he's no Martens and failed to even make it interesting.
"You could tell the difference, " one analyst commented, "Schumacher's deep pass just doesn't have the accuracy and placement. Even with open receivers, some of the passes made the receiver break stride to make awkward catches."
"Typical Schumacher. Decent numbers, but freaks out and fails when the game is on the line. We are doomed if Martens can't come back before the playoffs, " a local sports talk host commented in the postgame.
The loss is bad enough. Losing to the Chiefs is twice as bad. But losing sole control of 1st place makes it even worse. Then they have to look at their injured young leader on the sideline - and wonder if that's where their hopes are as well.
The fans are wondering if the team's playoffs chances just went into the Black Hole this year.
Box Score:
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders | |||||
Jan 1, | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | SCORE |
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) | 0 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 23 |
Oakland Raiders (9-2) | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
Team Stats Comparison | ||
KAN | OAK | |
Total Offense | 320 | 267 |
Rushing Yards | 202 | 131 |
Passing Yards | 118 | 136 |
First Downs | 18 | 16 |
Punt Return Yards | 10 | 26 |
Kick Return Yards | 108 | 119 |
Total Yards | 438 | 419 |
Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
3rd Down Converstion | 2-11 (18%) | 3-13 (23%) |
4th Down Conversion | 0-0 | 0-0 |
2-Point Conversion | 1-2 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals | 2/1 (75%) | 2/2 (100%) |
Penalties | 3-25 | 1-4 |
Posession Time | 34:50 | 24:55 |
|
|
Comment