A football fan would describe the 23-20 overtime loss to the Raiders an exciting game to watch.  A lot of key plays were made by both teams in clutch situations, the lead went back and forth from the opening minutes, and the home field advantage was in full-effect with the first sell-out in the 'black hole' in 12 games.

What the scoreboard doesn't tell you is how undisciplined both teams played.  There were 27 penalties in all throughout the entire game.  The Raiders had 15 (which is expected from a Raiders team) and the Chiefs had a uncharacteristic 12 penalties. 

Up to yesterday's game, the Chiefs had averaged only 5 penalties a game.  However, the penalties were only a part of the reason the Chiefs gave the game away.

Now I am not going to recap yesterday's game, but I will point out what I think are the deciding factors for why the Chiefs have given the rest of the AFC West a chance to win the division after a soul-debilitating overtime loss to the hated rivals - Raiders.

It's impossible to point out one reason the Chiefs lost after that game, because there were a handful of miscues that allowed the Raiders to crawl back into the game. 

When I try to visualize the key plays (factors) that led to the loss, I can't help but see the plays replayed in my mind with Yakety Sax playing in the background.  So, if you don't know what "yakety sax" is, click on the link and then read my reasons below for allowing an inferior team in the door to the AFC West title race.

1.  Turnovers.  Two fumbles plus a Matt Cassel Red Zone interception.....couldn't have come at a worse time....right before the half which would have put the Chiefs up 17-0 before the half.  Watching that pick happen felt like Tom Cable had issued a personal 'fatality' move to me in my living room.

2.  A Studebaker holding call on a 41 yard field goal in the second quarter.  The Chiefs made the field goal, but the flag brings it back to a 51 yard field-goal.  Instead of giving Succop a chance at the long field goal, Haley opts to punt the ball.  Three points taken directly off the scoreboard.

3.  A gut-punching kickoff return.  Chiefs come out of the locker room after the half up 10-7.  The second half opening kick-off to the Raiders gets taken back 94-yards to the house.  Raiders take the lead 14-10.

4.  Dwayne Bowe drops another huge play.  This time it was a third-down drop at the end of the fourth quarter which most likely would have kept the drive going, and not allowed the Raiders to tie it up.

5.  Todd Haley and Charlie Weis giving the Chiefs' most talented player, and best running back on the NFL's #1 rushing team ten carries on the day.  Instead Haley chose to give the majority of the carries to Thomas Jones.  Jones had 19 carries for 32 yards.  The Raiders have a stout defense, especially in the middle of the line.  The one player that could have bounced it to the outside and would have been more effective against the Raiders rush defense would have been Jamaal Charles. 

In the end the better team lost the game.  The Chiefs handed the Raiders the game but still have a half-game lead in the AFC West.  The Chiefs still have a lot of things to figure out before they can win the division.  And if anyone out there has figured out why Todd Haley thinks Thomas Jones is a more effective back than Jamaal Charles in any game, please let me know.