Derek Carr and the Raiders came into Sunday's game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium needing a win to jump into a first-place tie atop the AFC West.
The formula for a win was for the Raiders to control the clock with running back Josh Jacobs and the ground game and have Carr make efficient throws to move the sticks and then take deep shots when available.
Carr had been going downfield with success this season, but the Chiefs had his number Sunday.
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On the Raiders' first possession of the game, Carr dropped back and looked to hit tight end Darren Waller for a big gain down the sideline. But Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu jumped the route, picking off Carr and putting the Chiefs on their way to a 40-9 rout.
Carr and the Raiders' passing game was limited all day because the Chiefs knew exactly when they planned to take their shots.
"The biggest thing is we knew that when (Carr) did take shots downfield, we understood it pre-snap by the formation, and it put us in position to make a play," Mathieu said after the win. "Tight ends, running backs, check-downs, that’s his game. We were able to capitalize when he did try to throw it downfield."
Carr was bad by any measure Sunday. The veteran signal-caller went 20-for-30 for 222 yards with one garbage-time touchdown and two interceptions, including a pick-six that sealed the Raiders' fate near the end of the first half.
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With a lack of playmakers on the outside, the Raiders' passing attack is somewhat limited, but it appears it's also easy to diagnose, which is something coach Jon Gruden and the Raiders must fix if they plan to make a December run at a wild-card spot.
Now, it's time to go back to the drawing board.