The Las Vegas Raiders did not run the ball well against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Still, they had a great chance to win. They lost 30-27, and you could argue the Raiders beat themselves more than the Chiefs beat them.

A late special-teams fumble changed everything. Without that, Las Vegas was in position to move the ball down the field and possibly set up a game-winning drive. That’s not a stretch, either. After the fumble, the Raiders went down the field and scored easily through the passing game. Then they got a stop on Kansas City and nearly scored again, or at least got into field goal range.

The self-inflicted wounds are the main reason Vegas lost this one. But not having a run game hurt as well, and that can’t happen with the running backs on this roster. In the Raiders’ backfield, you have Ashton Jeanty, one of the league’s best and most talented running backs. You also have Mike Washington Jr., who should be one of the best backups in the NFL, if not the best.

Yet the Raiders rushed for only 72 yards on 26 carries. The first half was terrible on the ground. The start of the second half showed a little bit of life, but Las Vegas still couldn’t get anything going.

Raiders rushing stats vs. the Chiefs

• Ashton Jeanty: 15 carries, 58 yards; Mike Washington Jr.: nine carries, 18 yards

That’s just not good enough. You cannot have Kirk Cousins throwing the ball 52 times in a game. That isn’t how this offense is built to win. Per Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs’ defense stuffed 10 of the Raiders’ 26 carries for no gain or loss (38.5%), their highest stuff rate in a game since 2018 & held LV to 72 rush yds (-14 rushing yards over expected). Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane made three of those stuffs, making him one of three cornerbacks with three run stuffs in a game since 2018.

Klint Kubiak took responsibility for some of the issues after the game. He did it again on Monday.

“I blame myself. I gotta put ourselves in a better position,” Kubiak said.

Jeanty also spoke after the game about his health and where he stands physically.

“Nah, I mean, I’m going to continue to keep getting better, stronger. I feel like I’m going to be 100% real soon,” Jeanty said when asked if his ankle is still an issue.

There were several times when he got up after a play and looked like he needed to come out of the game because of how banged up he was. To be fair, we don’t know how injured he was or whether he is still beat up. Whether his ankle is still nagging him is unclear, but it was apparent that he was taking a beating.

Here’s the thing about this run game: it’s a mix of all of these factors. Yes, Kubiak has to be better. At the same time, the offensive line has to be better, and it just wasn’t good in the run game against Kansas City.

Raiders need the run game to show up against New England

All of these things matter. The run game is a collective effort, and everything has to be clicking for it to work. The play calling, the blocking up front, and the health of the running backs all play a part. We know this team wants to run the ball.

That’s who Kubiak is as a play caller, and the offense is built around a back like Jeanty carrying the load. Asking Cousins to throw 52 times is not the formula, even if he nearly pulled it off on Sunday. Either way, they need to improve, and the Raiders need to see it in their next game against the New England Patriots. There’s no real way to fix the wide receiver room and let them throw the ball that much. So, to avoid those situations, they have to run the ball better