If you missed the Thursday night matchup between The Raiders and Chiefs, you missed arguably the game of the year. The Chiefs were looking to bounce back after a loss to the Steelers while the Raiders looked to save their season. In a game where QB play was the highlight, last-second penalties were crucial, as the Raiders got two extra chances to score the touchdown with no time on the clock. Derek Carr threw the winning touchdown to Michael Crabtree, beating the Chiefs 31-30.
Western battle
Both teams looked to have better offensive performances, and it was a shootout at the QB spot.
Derek Carr and Alex Smith showed why they are franchise QBs, putting on a clinic. Carr finished the game with 417 yards and three touchdowns, as he looked like the MVP candidate last year. He got Amari Cooper involved early and often as he has over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper has struggled this season, so this game can give him a boost for the rest of the season. Cooper finished with 210 yards.
Alex Smith had a big game of his own, even though it ended in a loss. Smith threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has taken the cap off of his game, taking deep shots downfield and using his mobility to extend plays. He should be the frontrunner in the MVP race, and this game only adds to his extensive resume.
Tyreek Hill had a dominant night, catching six passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Kareem Hunt added 87 yards on the ground.
Westside drama
This game was an intense battle, and it boiled over in one scenario. Derek Carr was running a draw on a third-down play when Marcus Peters hit him after the play drawing a penalty. Carr's lineman started charging at Peters which resulted in a shoving match.
Running back Marshawn Lynch was on the sideline when all of this occurred, and he sprinted onto the field to push Peters away from the clutter. A referee tried to stop his progress, but Lynch pushed him away, drawing a flag. Lynch was ejected for contact with an official. Lynch took it one step further and left the locker and left the building.
It was a Beast Mode moment, but Lynch had to pay the price.
In the final minute of the fourth quarter, Carr completed a pass to Jared Cook and was ruled down at the one. Carr threw a touchdown to Crabtree the play after, but it was taken away because of a pass interference call on Crabtree. The Raiders had one more chance to score and it was incomplete pass to Cook. But, there was another holding call on the Chiefs giving them an untimed down. Carr threw another pass that was caught but out of bounds, but another holding call by Kansas city gave them one more chance for a touchdown with another untimed down. Carr finally got the score to Crabtree after three shots at the end zone. The Chiefs should've won the game, but penalties cost them and the Raiders capitalized, completing the comeback in insane fashion.
