The things I couldn't say last night.

[Rain Man]

Due to the NFL's policy of trying to prevent me from watching Chiefs games, I had to go to a sports bar last night to watch the game. Therefore, I didn't post much in the game thread.

I'll impose upon you today a few thoughts about the game. You may use this highlight video for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRsIVeqOppY

So as not to be accused of stealing the concept of a numbered list of observations, I will use a custom labeling system of observations.

Observation 4. Jerick McKinnon is a player. His run at 3:33 in the video is our most impressive run this year, and had shades of Jamaal Charles against the Commanderskins. And his blitz pickup at 6:58 should be featured in textbooks about pass blocking. He's listed on the roster as 5-9 and 209 pounds, but man he sure doesn't look that big. Seeing him on the field I would guess him to be in the 170s or 180s. He must have a cast-iron core.

Observation 16c. I'm pretty sure that the referees have a plan to always screw over Chris Jones. We've talked about the fake roughing penalty so I won't keep repeating that, but I'm also astounded that they didn't call holding late in the game when he burst into the backfield and the raider behind him latched onto him. That wasn't a meaningless hold, because Chris was going to affect the play, and it was really obvious and out in the open.

Observation Delta Upsilon. It hurts to lose Tershawn. I was seeing Malik Herring in there a lot and was curious why he was getting so much action all of a sudden, and that explains it. I'm hopeful that Mike Danna will return soon and help offset Tershawn's loss. I know they're different positions on the line, but there seems to be a lot of shuffling around in Spagnuolo's brilliant defensive schemes.

Observation Panda. Cheffers' crew cost us at least one Super Bowl with "bad" officiating and I will always despise that, but I think the defensive holding on the missed field goal was a makeup call (10:08 on the video). I suspect the justification is that Allegretti was probably an eligible receiver, which is valid, but how often does that get called?

Observation Battle of Britain. Who was Patrick Mahomes II yelling at where Andy had to call him off? Was it for sure Crosby? I wish the network had shown what led up to it. Was it the head bump?

Observation Winona. If you want to add another highlight to Patrick's reel, look no further than the pass at 3:56 in the video. It wasn't a long gain or a touchdown, but holy mother of quarterbacks that was a great pass.

Observation NCC-1701. Travis Kelce's stats line: 7 catches for 25 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per reception. Oh, and four touchdowns. You don't see a stat line like that very often.

Observation 07-04-1776. I have to admit, there's some talent on that Raiders team. I don't think they're strong across the board like we are, but they've got some really strong position groups in terms of edge rushers and receivers. And Carr's last touchdown pass (11:22 in the video) was a perfectly placed pass.

Observation Low-cut evening gown. We've now seen Clyde get hit in the helmet twice on passes. He probably should learn to turn his head a little before we have to put him in the concussion protocol. I'm not down on him as much as others are, but it's clear to me that he's Andy's chosen back on early downs and McKinnon is our back in passing situations. Andy trusts McKinnon a lot in pass protection, and he's right.

Observation America. Having an elite linebacker in Bolton makes all the difference in the world on defense. I was a big Derrick Johnson fan, but I think Bolton has a bigger impact on the game.

Observation 14, Section 3, Paragraph 6. Our defensive secondary is a powerhouse. Our pass rush is struggling, but the secondary is always on top of things. Hunter Renfrow is effective and his only impact on the game was to lay out Davante Adams at the end. Adams had an impact but was stopped as well as anyone can stop him. I think the secondary is our strongest position group other than quarterback. And I think Sneed may be my favorite defensive back since peak Dale Carter. He can cover and he hits like a truck. See the video at 4:37 for proof.

Observation Spruce Goose. The failed two-point conversion, Part A. We should have gone for one there, because it would have put us up by eight and required the enemy to go for two. I think the only reason we didn't is because our rental kicker is going to be fired soon. I'm also curious where Patrick was going with the pass, because it was covered pretty well. Juju? (10:45 in the video).

Observation Scrooge McDuck Rolling in Money. The failed two-point conversion, Part B. The drama of the last drive makes this key play get lost. From what I can tell (11:41 in the video), this is Chris Jones and Justin Reid making an enormous short yardage stop that saved us from requiring last-minute Mahomes magic.

Observation 634582.63. I'll give Mecole credit. I thought he was dead when he came off the field in obvious pain from a non-contact injury. But he was right back in the game afterwards. I'll award him some toughness credits.

Observation Gamma Ray. When we punted with 2 minutes left, I thought we were in grave danger. Their lousy kicker has been aces and that's a lot of time on the clock. The defense did a great job there. I thought we were hosed when Adams made that non-catch on the sideline (13:24 in the video). I had to watch the replay two or three times to realize that he didn't have control of the ball yet when his left foot tapped. That's as close to a catch as you're going to see.

Observation 38-22-36. At 14:00 in the video you can't tell from that view, but I think Joshua Williams was the guy manned up on Davante Adams on that critical last play before Hunter Renfrow came over to help with double coverage. That surprised me. Can someone confirm that? Spagnuolo is a defensive gunslinger, though, because he had Sneed up on the line. (And nice belt on the quarterback by Bolton, too.)

Observation with at least 8 characters that include one upper case letter, one number and one special character. At 14:00 in the video, what the h*** actually happened? Renfrow cut left and destroyed Adams. Did someone come off the snap late? I initially thought that Joshua might have jammed Adams on the line and slowed down his route, but that didn't really happen. There was the most minor of jams, but that was it. My theory is that the Raiders were trying to have Renfrow pick Williams, but that clearly didn't work.

Observation Churchill making the Victory Sign At 14:00 in the video, hahahahahahahahaha. That was the most Raiderish way to lose a game I've ever seen.

[Molitoth]

They need to extend Sneed ASAP before he and every other team sees how valuable he is.

[Demonpenz]

Thornhill got trucked but made a tackle he did it again with not much trunking. He got jacobs on the ground a couple times 1v1

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

In terms of technology, the world lives in 2022 and I live in 1978.

i.e. You're old and don't know how to work streams.


It's ok. Your wit and humor makes up for it.

[Rain Man]

One observation that I forgot to mention is:

Observation 4Q - Darius Harris may be a breakout player for us for the four games that Gay is out. He's a linebacker with safety speed out there.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

One observation that I forgot to mention is:

Observation 4Q - Darius Harris may be a breakout player for us for the four games that Gay is out. He's a linebacker with safety speed out there.

Most of our defensive backups have stepped in and filled the void as well as can be expected. We haven't been seeing any of that Sorenson / Neimann / Hughes BS that we saw last year. This bodes very well for the future. A little help on the D line and we're in awesome shape.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Replay coming on at 2 on NFLN alert

[Lzen]

Nice job, Rainman.
On that last one, I wonder if either WR would have been able to get to it. Looked like Carr threw it too long due to the intense pressure and subsequent hit by Bolton.

And I agree, Bolton is a stud. Glad we got him.

[digger]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

So as not to be accused of stealing the concept of a numbered list of observations, I will use a custom labeling system of observations.

Title suggestion for this new Series: Rain Man's Game Observations

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Nice job, Rainman.
On that last one, I wonder if either WR would have been able to get to it. Looked like Carr threw it too long due to the intense pressure and subsequent hit by Bolton.

And I agree, Bolton is a stud. Glad we got him.

I was expecting a roughing flag AND an illegal contact flag


We got neither


F the refs for robbing me of enjoying that moment

[Pepe Silvia]

So is an Ermine in the Weasel family? Inquiring minds want to know?

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by loochy

I like it. Can you do this weekly since Blowfish bailed on us?

This!!

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by loochy

i.e. You're old and don't know how to work streams.


It's ok. Your wit and humor makes up for it.

I don't know what to do. I keep moving the antenna and have even put tin foil on it, but I still can't pick up the streams. I think maybe they're on UHF or something.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I don't know what to do. I keep moving the antenna and have even put tin foil on it, but I still can't pick up the streams. I think maybe they're on UHF or something.

Check your TV's transistor fluid, could be running low.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I don't know what to do. I keep moving the antenna and have even put tin foil on it, but I still can't pick up the streams. I think maybe they're on UHF or something.

Try holding a hangar in your other hand (a wire one, not a plastic one)

[oldman]

Excellent job, RM.