Mathieu: Pre-Snap Formations Signaled When Raiders Were Going to Throw Downfield

Credit to the Chiefs. When they get a bye week, they don’t often let it go to waste.

Derek Carr and the Raiders offense turned in another lackluster performance at Arrowhead on Sunday in part because the Chiefs are the better team, but also because Kansas City was better prepared.

Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu talked after the game about his first-quarter interception and said that the Chiefs had a good understanding of what the Raiders were doing based on pre-snap formations. There’s no reason to doubt Mathieu when you take a closer look at Carr’s first interception.

“I think the biggest thing is that we knew that when he did take shots down the field, we were able to understand it pre-snap by the formation, and it would put us in a position to make a play,” Mathieu told reporters in the post-game locker room. “Derek [Carr] is going to try to take care of the football. Tight ends, running backs, checkdowns, that’s kind of his game. I was glad I was able to capitalize on him when he did try to throw the ball down the field.”

This is the play Mathieu was talking about specifically. A dangerous exchange in coverage, but a good one if you know what’s coming…

Chris Reed on Twitter

This was a great look at Mathieu reading the route progression and trapping Waller’s Out route. Carr expects Mathieu to continue to carry #1 vertical which would have left Waller wide open. #RaiderNation https://t.co/I3eVCz4OKg

With Sunday’s win, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is now 18-3 in his career coming off a bye. If all goes as planned, he’ll probably get the Las Vegas Raiders after his bye next year, too.

twitter: @raidersbeat