Arrowhead Autopsy: Top takeaways from Chiefs vs Raiders

It’s time for our weekly Arrowhead Autopsy, a breakdown of the top takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs’ most recent performance—this time against the Raiders.

Usually, our Kansas City Chiefs don’t put forth a complete performance in all phases of the game, and there’s the need to discuss negative aspects afterward. Back in 2007, when we founded Arrowhead Addict, we always said our loyalty lies with the fans even more so than the franchise. That means holding players, coaches, and the front office accountable and giving Chiefs Kingdom the unvarnished truth.

This week, however, there isn’t much to hold accountable. It honestly is hard to find even a morsel of poor play to nitpick. If I sound like a cheerleader, it’s because the Chiefs’ masterful performance deserved pom-poms. Fans have been begging the Chiefs to stop playing with their food and blow inferior competition to smithereens. They finally did. Wasn’t it nice to kick back and watch a laugher—against the hated Raiders, no less—without any stress? It definitely was good for our blood pressure.

Here are my top takeaways from Week 18’s game, Chiefs at Raiders.

Chris Jones blows up the Raiders’ offensive gameplan

Chris Jones’ stat line vs. the Raiders was monstrous: 11 pressures, 2.5 sacks, 6 QB hits, 2 TFLs, and 4 run stops. Jones credits new defensive line coach Joe Cullen for transforming his game. The star defensive tackle was already so dominant that we didn’t think a transformation was possible. It was. He went from Komodo dragon to Godzilla, from dangerous to scorched earth.

It will be a damn shame if he doesn’t win Defensive Player of the Year. Nick Bosa racking up 18.5 sacks from the edge is impressive. It’s not as impressive as Jones recording 15.5 sacks while eating doubles for breakfast on the interior. Especially when you consider that Bosa is surrounded by more defensive talent.

Speaking of defensive teammates, an underrated aspect of Jones’ game is how he creates clean-up sacks for them. Stone Cold did this for George Karlaftis by blowing past a double team.

Kadarius Toney is a lethal weapon with the ball in space

You get the feeling that if Toney can stay healthy, the former Florida Gator is about to go full-Deebo and pulverize the playoffs. If head trainer Rick Burkholder can MacGyver the wideout’s sensitive hamstrings–some duct tape, a couple of shoe strings, maybe a paper clip or two—and keep Joka upright, then the Chiefs’ offense could be unstoppable.

Toney is now 20th in yards per route run among all NFL receivers. Last week, he averaged 4.67 yards after contact on three rushes, which showcases his unique rushing ability. My issue here is not the designed touches. Great to see Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy getting him some runs. But only sending him out on six routes is criminal. Andy’s stubbornness about not wanting to play young receivers makes me want to draw on his face when he falls asleep. Unleash KT, or you might regret it.

Sin City becomes Arrowhead West

In bookkeeping, more red than black in your ledger is negative. That wasn’t the case in Vegas last Saturday. Even Raiders fans admitted that there were more Chiefs fans in Allegiant Stadium. It was a beautiful sight to behold. They call that place the Death Star, and my question is, death for whom? Because Kansas City remains undefeated there.

Pat yourselves on the back, Red and Yellow. That was an impressive display of a fan base taking over a rival stadium. Perhaps when you uproot your team, don’t choose the number one travel destination in the entire country as your new stomping grounds. Just a thought, Mark Davis!

Unsung hero Mike Danna shines again

On the season, Danna has the second-best win rate in true pass sets among Chiefs defensive linemen (19.5%). Against the Silver and Black, the underrated edge once again did his thing, coming up huge with 2 sacks. The former Michigan Wolverine’s versatility—defensive coordinator  Steve Spagnuolo likes to kick him inside for his NASCAR package—has been a revelation.

While talking with my old man, a lifelong Chiefs fan, we decided he plays higher above his talent level than anybody on the roster. You never have to worry about effort with Danna. He plays every down like it is his last. He’s a great rotational piece that allows the other guys to catch their breath without suffering catastrophic dropoff.

Juan Thornhill gets his mojo back at the last possible moment

Better late than never. The fourth-year safety is often seen as the weakest link on the defense. That certainly was not the case in Week 18. The dude looked like a completely different human being out there. Like Invasion of the Body Snatchers happened, and someone swapped Thornhill with an All-Pro. He allowed zero yards in coverage, plucked an interception, and added a couple of run stops. PFF gave him a well-earned 90 grade.

If Thornhill and Justin Reid can be a strength instead of a weakness during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run, the defense might just be good enough for Patrick Mahomes to bring home another Lombardi.

Snowglobe sounds like a Bond movie (and is even more awesome)

You didn’t think you were getting out of here without me addressing the craziest Andy Reid play yet, did you? The Ring Around the Rosie huddle was peak entertainment, yet I believe this was a serious strategy—not just Globetrotters-style showboating.

Once the merry-go-round stopped, you had four players in the backfield in a quasi-Full House formation. Of course, as a defense, your immediate response would be we must account for Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. That ignores the fact that satellite-plus back Jerick McKinnon and Toney are also electric weapons whose speed must be contained. If you are a linebacker or safety, you are pulling your hair out, trying to diagnose your responsibility in a split second.

Unfortunately, an abysmal holding penalty officials called on Creed Humphrey negated the touchdown Snowglobe produced. Humphrey caught a body on the gadget play, absolutely burying a hapless Raiders defender. As a matter of fact, Joe Thuney also maimed a man moments before. Feeling sorry for a defender who gets pancaked is not a reasonable call. It ruined an all-time highlight.

My theory is that the refs were just as disoriented as the Raiders, so they threw a flag because they assumed something had to be illegal. Either that or it was a pity flag. Who knows with NFL officials? In my opinion, every single penalty should be reviewable as one of your challenges. We’ve seen too many blown calls this season. Plus, technology continues to make the process faster, slowing down games less and less.

Pissing off the Broncos is always an added bonus. Man, did this trigger the football world. Practically drowning in crocodile tears over here. No need to weep, everybody. The NFL doesn’t stand for No Fun Live. Unleashing playcalling imagination isn’t poor sportsmanship; it’s innovation.