Kansas City Chiefs: Reasons for optimism after loss to Raiders

There’s no reason to panic after the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Raiders.

Well guys, that just wasn’t fun. You would think a fanbase like the Kansas City Chiefs would be used to losing. Obviously, since Andy Reid has arrived, winning has just been the status quo. The history of the franchise is one of heartbreak and disappointment, however, and sometimes those old feelings can surface after a loss like this.

Not only did the Chiefs not play well, they were uncharacteristically sloppy in a game that led to a loss against the most hated divisional rival Las Vegas Raiders. Not only that, but notable injuries to Kelechi Osemele and Sammy Watkins sheds an even darker cloud of the loss.

Chiefs fans, I beg you, just breathe .I know this loss feels bad. Judging by all the freaking out I saw on Twitter, most of you think that the season is over. That is simply not the case.

Losing to the Raiders is never fun. Let’s all just look at a little context though. The Chiefs have been absolutely DOMINANT against the AFC West. They are 28-3 over their last 32 games against the division. Patrick Mahomes has only lost twice in the division, and that is tough to do for anyone. On the other side of the battle, this is Derek Carr’s first win EVER in Arrowhead stadium, and he entered the league in 2014. Mahomes was still slinging passes for Texas Tech in those days, folks.

Beyond everything that transpired on the field on Sunday, just take stock of what happens week in and week out all of over the NFL. Last year, the Baltimore Ravens went 14-2 and was the first seed in the AFC. They lost to the Browns in a game where Cleveland dropped 40 and won by two touchdowns.

The then-second seeded New England Patriots only needed to beat a Miami Dolphins team last year to secure a playoff bye, and we all know what happened there. The Patriots were 18 point favorites going into that game and couldn’t get it done. See the theme here? Division games are always tough and unpredictable.

This loss to the Raiders reminds me of the loss to the Titans last year. On the field, it was clear Kansas City was the better team. Wonky play after wonky play happened and the Chiefs ended up losing on a blocked field goal.

That was what happened this last Sunday. The Chiefs had multiple touchdowns called back on penalty. They had breakdowns in the secondary throughout the game. They moved the ball almost at will outside of the third quarter, and still put up 32 points. This time, it just didn’t break our way.

Looking forward, the Chiefs are in great position. Mahomes was making tantalizing throws all over the field. The Chiefs will get healthy down the stretch, with guys like L’Jarius Sneed and Sammy Watkins returning.

It is easy to forget, but there was a very limited offseason and that can effect any time, even the defending Super Bowl champs. This is not the peak of what Kansas City will be as a team this year. So get ready Chiefs fans. One loss won’t sink us.

If I know anything about this Chiefs team, it is that they will use this positively, not let it rattle them. The Kansas City Chiefs will be just fine, and this will be a game quickly forgotten as the season rolls along.