The Las Vegas Raiders felt they needed to make a statement early against the Kansas City Chiefs. And on Monday night, in Kansas City, the Raiders took a gamble and rolled a seven.
On their first drive, the Raiders faced a 4th-and-1 on their own 42-yard-line. While it makes sense to go for it, it’s a risk given that the Chiefs would pretty much be in field goal range. The Raiders went for it and while the Chiefs were expecting them to run to get that single yard, they instead fooled KC and Derek Carr aired a bomb to Davante Adams for a 58-yard touchdown.
DEREK CARR TO DAVANTE ADAMS 58-YARD RAIDERS TD ON 4TH-AND-1! 🏈💣 #MNF pic.twitter.com/2qE9bUP0q6
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 11, 2022
This was a genius play call by head coach Josh McDaniels. For one yard, both teams line up in a goal line formation indicating a short yardage play. But having one of the best route runners like Adams out there as the lone receiver gives the Raiders a potential pass option and he got behind everyone on the Chiefs to get the score.
With that touchdown, ESPN’s Stats Twitter account revealed that along with being the first Raiders quarterback to throw for 200 career touchdowns, he has more TD’s than the three quarterbacks (Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Teddy Bridgewater) drafted ahead of him combined (182).
Derek Carr is the first QB in Raiders history to throw 200 touchdown passes.
Three QBs were selected ahead of Carr in the 2014 NFL Draft: Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater. Carr has more pass TD than that trio combined (182). pic.twitter.com/dU6cQP29bR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2022
‘Many took notice to the play that has the Raiders in an early lead.
Everyone knows the best way to shut down Davante Adams is to put him in one-on-one with no safety help over the top. Proof of concept: https://t.co/rSdd8x52nw
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) October 11, 2022
Adams beat him so bad he could slow down to catch the ball. https://t.co/RnPORqRVhq
— spudboy (@spudboy1234) October 11, 2022
DA17 still showing that he’s one of the best route runners in the league.
He’ll have to figure out how to make it up to his QB for throwing his 200th TD pass into the stands, however. https://t.co/Mm5axnQ124
— Michael Wengrzyn (@mike_engine97) October 11, 2022
EASY ☠️ Heavy personnel…1-on-1 coverage….throw him open…BEAUTIFUL! 👏🏾 https://t.co/77NtnvG1Hs
— Tiquan Underwood (@TiUnderwood) October 11, 2022
Josh McDaniels goes for it on fourth down. Big reward for deep shot. https://t.co/5gyK11S0VM
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 11, 2022
