Klint Kubiak laments decisions gone wrong in Raiders' loss

LAS VEGAS -- First-time coach Klint Kubiak might be up extra late Sunday night after a pair of his decisions backfired in the Las Vegas Raiders' 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

First, Kubiak decided to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal that would have extended the Raiders' lead to six points in the third quarter.

Then, during the final play of the game, Kubiak was unable to get the call off fast enough, resulting in an illegal shift penalty (which was declined) and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing a game-sealing interception.

"Total missed opportunity. So I blew it," Kubiak said.

The failed fourth-down play in the third quarter came with Las Vegas up 13-10 with 11:41 left. Kicker Matt Gay nailed a 41-yard field goal, but the Chiefs were called for illegal formation, turning a fourth-and-7 into a fourth-and-2.

Kubiak, who knew the team had to be aggressive entering the early-season AFC West showdown, put his offense back on the field, but Cousins' pass attempt to running back Ashton Jeanty was broken up by linebacker Drue Tranquill, leading to a turnover on downs.

"I took three points off the board," Kubiak said. "... I don't regret it. I regret not getting it."

Kubiak faced a similar situation in the fourth quarter, opting instead for Gay to kick a 48-yard field goal on a fourth-and-2 to put the Raiders ahead 19-17 with five minutes to go.

"Fell short the first time, wanted to get points," Kubiak said.

The Chiefs went on to score 13 unanswered points to take a 30-19 lead with 3:10 remaining. Las Vegas responded with a touchdown catch from tight end Brock Bowers and a successful two-point conversion to cut its deficit to 30-27 with 1:54 left.

But Las Vegas' attempt at pulling off the comeback in the final seconds fell short when, after the rushed play call, it was penalized while Cousins' pass attempt to tight end Michael Mayer landed in the hands of Chiefs safety Xavier Nwankpa.

Cousins said a lot was going on during the final play. In hindsight, the veteran QB said the team might've been better off taking the delay-of-game penalty so that it could get organized instead of forcing the play.

"Who cares about 5 yards? We got to get in the right play, get to out of bounds," Cousins said. "... We don't want to be in that position, but if we are, is a penalty better? These are all the things I'm probably not [going to] sleep tonight and ask myself."

Still, players supported Kubiak's decisions, saying his aggressiveness is a sign of his confidence in the team.

"That's our mentality. That's how we're going to be, and we're not going to change," wide receiver Tre Tucker said.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby added that the team believes in Kubiak "100 million percent" when making such calls.