From the HERE City National Desk
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders keep walking out of halftime in decent shape and walking off the field with losses, and coach Klint Kubiak said Monday the staff is taking apart its halftime routine to find out why.
Las Vegas opened the season 3-0 before a run against contenders turned into a three-game skid. After a lopsided defeat at New England on Oct. 11, the Raiders led Kansas City by three at the break and were tied 13-13 with Buffalo on Sunday, only to drop both games by three points.
The third quarter has been the common thread. The Raiders failed to score in that period against either the Chiefs or the Bills and have been outscored 24-3 after halftime in the three losses. Their minus-26 margin in third quarters this season is the worst in the league.
Against Buffalo the second half opened with three straight incompletions, and the Bills answered with a long drive for a field goal. Kirk Cousins then threw an interception while forcing a pass toward a double-covered Michael Mayer, and Josh Allen turned it into a touchdown that put Las Vegas down 10. Las Vegas pulled even late before Buffalo won 33-30.
Kubiak said the coaches are reviewing what they ask of players coming out of the locker room. Cousins pointed to too many three-and-outs to start second halves.
Cousins was otherwise sharp, throwing for 313 yards and two touchdowns to Tre Tucker, including a diving 44-yard catch. Red zone trips remain a problem; the Raiders cashed in just two of five against Buffalo.
The defense has allowed 30 or more points three weeks in a row for the first time since late 2019 and has forced only one turnover in that span after taking the ball away nine times in the first three weeks. Matthew Stafford and the Rams visit Sunday.
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