Chiefs vs. Raiders: Winners and losers from Thursday Night Football

Let’s look at the biggest winners and losers from the game last night against the Oakland Raiders.

Thursday Night Football was an unforgettable game that showed just how good the Chiefs can be as well as had good they allow opposing defenses to be. Let’s take a closer look at winners and losers from the Oakland Raiders 31-30 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Alex Smith – Winner

Smith continues his unbelievable season, completing 64% of his passes for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. That brings his total for the season to a jaw dropping 72.9% completion rate, 1,637 yards and 12 touchdowns. The way Smith has been playing is very reminiscent of his time at Utah where he played college ball. There is also something to be said for the addition of Patrick Mahomes lighting a fire under Smith. The offense is coming together quite nicely with some talented and speedy players. Consequently, Smith is allowed to be himself and show off his talent. I think it’s safe to say that everybody is very impressed.

Though it must be said that Smith is still showcasing his inability to find the open receiver consistently and turns to dump-offs and check downs way too much it feels like.

Wide Receivers – Winners

I have to give credit to a few different guys at one position. First up is our hometown speed demon Tyreek Hill. This man, just five days ago, took a nasty hit and was undergoing concussion protocols. He wasted no time in coming out of that and lighting up the field with several huge plays that kept the Chiefs hopes of winning alive. Hill’s highlight moment had to be halfway through the second quarter when he ran 64 yards for the score. Unfortunately, no matter how fast he was, Hill could not save the game.

Second, another winner worth mentioning is DeMarcus Robinson. Five minutes into the second quarter, with the Chiefs backed way up into their own end zone, Robinson looked a nice pass into his hands and got his team to much better position.

Third, there is Albert Wilson. What awareness and focus to watch the crazy tipped ball fall into reach and then turn upfield and run it into the endzone. If Wilson had been laser focused on that ball, that play could have at the best, ended in a wild incompletion, at worst a big interception. Instead, it was a highlight-worthy touchdown. Have a game Wilson, have a game.