NFL Week 5 grades: Raiders get ‘A+’ for Chiefs upset, Cowboys earn ‘B+’ for overcoming Dak Prescott damage


Not many groups within the NFL can go toe-to-toe with the Kansas Chiefs in a shootout, however that is precisely what the Las Vegas Raiders did on Sunday. In one of many greatest upsets of the season, the Raiders beat the Chiefs at their very own sport in a shocking 40-32 win for Las Vegas. The explanation the Raiders’ win was a shock is as a result of this is not a group that is recognized for profitable shootouts. Since Derek Carr was drafted in 2014, the Raiders had solely topped the 40-point mark a complete of two occasions earlier than Sunday, and an enormous purpose for that’s as a result of Carr usually appears to be afraid to take pictures downfield. 

Effectively, if that was his greatest weak spot then the remainder of the NFL is likely to be in bother, as a result of Carr appears to have overcome his worry of throwing deep. Not solely did the Raiders quarterback outgun Patrick Mahomes, however he did it in spectacular style. 

With the Raiders trailing 14-3 within the second quarter, they wanted an enormous play, they usually obtained it as a result of Carr was keen to throw deep. 

What you see there’s a 59-yard landing cross from Carr to Nelson Agholor that appeared to spark the Raiders offense. 

Not solely did Carr make the cross, however he really one-upped himself later within the quarter when he threw an ideal strike to Henry Ruggs for a 72-yard landing. This time round, the rating gave the Raiders the lead simply earlier than halftime. 

Carr’s willingness to throw deep most likely caught the Chiefs off-guard, and that is as a result of he had by no means actually tried to do all of it season. By way of the primary 4 weeks of the 12 months, the Raiders solely had one play of 40 or extra yards. Of their win on Sunday, the Raiders had 4 such performs. Carr, who threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns, completely outplayed Mahomes, who threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

After all, Carr wasn’t the one purpose the Raiders gained. Vegas additionally was capable of pull off the upset due to an excellent efficiency by the group’s protection within the second half. After surrendering 24 factors within the first half, the Raiders buckled down and solely gave up eight factors within the second half. 

The Chiefs had the ball a complete of 5 occasions within the second half they usually solely got here away with one landing, which occurred in rubbish time. The Raiders’ secret to slowing down Mahomes was fairly easy: They have been capable of put stress on the Chiefs quarterback (who obtained sacked 3 times), which made practically each throw robust for Mahomes. The Raiders secondary additionally did a incredible job of sticking with Kansas Metropolis’s receivers, even on performs the place Mahomes tried to show issues into yard soccer. 

That interception proper there got here within the fourth quarter and was Mahomes’ first one of many season. 

With the win, the Raiders simply kicked the door open on the AFC West race. As an alternative of Kansas Metropolis working away with the division, Vegas has to now like its odds of profitable.  

Alright, let’s get to the grades for each sport from Week 5. In the event you’re searching for a deeper dive on the Buccaneers-Bears sport that was performed on Thursday, remember to click on right here.  

Las Vegas 40-32 over Kansas Metropolis 

Raiders-Chiefs grades by Tyler Sullivan (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Houston 30-14 over Jacksonville

Carolina 23-16 over Atlanta

L.A. Rams 30-10 over Washington

Arizona 30-10 over N.Y. Jets

Pittsburgh 38-29 over Philadelphia

Eagles-Steelers grades by Bryan DeArdo (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Baltimore 27-3 over Cincinnati

Bengals-Ravens grades by Jeff Kerr (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Miami 43-17 over San Francisco

Dolphins-49ers grades by Jordan Dajani (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Dallas 37-34 over N.Y. Giants

Giants-Cowboys grades by Patrik Walker (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Cleveland 32-23 over Indianapolis

Colts-Browns grades by Josh Edwards (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)

Seattle 27-26 over Minnesota

Vikings-Seahawks grades by Cody Benjamin (Love the grades? Hate the grades? Let him know on Twitter.)





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