Kansas City Chiefs: Team Has No One to Blame but Itself for Loss vs. Oakland

The Kansas City Chiefs had their five-game winning streak snapped against a winless Oakland Raiders team that has had a hapless season and was desperate for a win. With first place on the line in the AFC West, the Chiefs hurt themselves and made it harder to have the upper hand in the division.

In front of a national audience on Thursday Night Football, the Chiefs looked different and let the Raiders take control for a majority of the game.

Don't use the excuse that the Chiefs had a short week to prepare. The Chiefs traveled to Philadelphia for Thursday Night Football last year in Week 3 and won.

Don't use the excuse that the officials made a bad call on defensive back Ron Parker near the end of the game. Every team gets a couple of calls to go its way and also gets away with a couple of missed ones every game. The Chiefs were no exception to that on Thursday night.

Don't use the excuse that the rain affected Kansas City's performance. Weather is the most asinine excuse fans come up with for a loss. Oakland committed a fumble and the only turnover of the game due to slippery conditions. In any game, the weather is a factor that both teams must deal with.

You won't see the Chiefs offer any of those excuses.

When Raiders punt returner Denarius Moore muffed a punt return at his own 11-yard line with a 14-0 lead for the Raiders, the Chiefs fell on it.

By extending its drive, Kansas City was close to the end zone. However, the Chiefs failed to come away with a touchdown and settled for a field goal instead early in the second quarter.

With the game tied at 17, Chiefs punt returner Frankie Hammond returns the football 28 yards to put Kansas City's offense at Oakland's 37-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Alex Smith found wide receiver Albert Wilson for a 23-yard catch-and-run play which placed the Chiefs inside the red zone.

However, the Chiefs could not convert on a 3rd-and-3 play at Oakland's 7-yard line and settled for a field goal once again.

The Chiefs had two opportunities within striking distance to cash in with a touchdown, but had to manage with six points rather than 14.

Although the Chiefs took control of the game for most of the second half, the 14-0 deficit to start the game played a heavy role in their unexpected loss. Whether the Chiefs were unprepared or overlooked the Raiders, Oakland simply took advantage and built a big cushion to start the game.

Third-down conversions played an important role in Thursday’s game. The Chiefs were 2-of-14 to Oakland's impressive 8-of-16 in this department.

Kansas City's offensive line did Smith and running back Jamaal Charles no favors as Oakland's defense pressured Smith and stuffed Charles at or behind the line of scrimmage throughout the first half.

In addition to missed opportunities, Kansas City played poorly at several points in the game. By starting the game with two three-and-outs, the Raiders scored first after two strong defensive stands.

The biggest flaw for Kansas City on Thursday night was not anything new, but it finally came back to haunt the Chiefs. The simple fact that the Chiefs have thrown zero touchdown passes to a wide receiver is a fair reflection of the limited productivity the receiving corps has to offer.

Although wide receiver Dwayne Bowe leads the team in catches and receiving yards, Charles and tight ends Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano have shined the most through the air.

Prior to the Oakland game, you could have made a case that the Chiefs' wide receivers would have a better showing against a winless and feeble defensive team. Instead, the Raiders made sure the receivers looked the same way they have played all season long.

As good of a job as Chiefs coach Andy Reid has done in turning the Chiefs around after an 0-2 start, he holds plenty of responsibility for the Chiefs suffering a loss to an 0-10 team.

For Reid, he must get his team to focus and recharge with a crucial, divisional Sunday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.

Despite winning seven of the previous eight games prior to Thursday night, the Chiefs learned they are far from a perfect team and have plenty of weaknesses that were heavily exploited by Oakland.

Before the Chiefs even want to think about the playoffs, they must clean up and make adjustments on both sides of the ball. The most important thing is for the team to build consistency.

If the Chiefs don't adjust with a grueling final five-game schedule coming up, the chances of winning the division or clinching a playoff berth through a wild-card spot will fade away.