KANSAS CITY – Despite losing by 27 points the last time they took on the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders sent a bold message that they’re back with a vengeance by having their pregame meeting on the Arrowhead logo at the 50-yard line. Like clockwork, this resulted in Arrowhead Stadium erupting in boos from the Chiefs faithful.
But it was the Chiefs who did the dancing over the four quarters that transpired on Sunday afternoon as Kansas City steamrolled the Silver and Black, 48-9, to extend its winning streak to six games in a row and improve to 9-4 on the year.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was flawless, throwing for 258 yards and two TDs by completing 20 of 24 pass attempts. Mahomes targeted eight different receivers on Sunday, but Tyreek Hill caught the bulk of the throwing by making four receptions for 76 yards, enough for the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career.
Kansas City made a ton of noise in the backfield as running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, and Derrick Gore made highlight plays. CEH finished with 37 rushing yards and two scores on ten carries, Williams caught a 23-yard touchdown pass, and Derrick Gore delivered the final blow by storming up the middle for a 51-yard rushing score late in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Kansas City had another dominant performance allowing just nine points for the third game in a row. The Chiefs forced five Raiders turnovers, three in the first half and four resulting in touchdowns.
On the first play of the game, K.C.’s defense got off to a fast start as Jarren Reed catches running back Josh Jacobs in the backfield and punches the ball loose for defensive back Mike Hughes to make the easy scoop-and-score.
After eight plays, Las Vegas immediately got the ball back on the following kickoff but were a quick three-and-out. Kansas City was a fast three plays and out on their first series.
However, their next four offensive possessions would result in touchdowns in the first half.
First, Mahomes connected with wideout Mecole Hardman for a 44-yard completion to the Raider 30-yard line. Four plays later, he finds Darrel Williams in the flat, who put on his best Priest Holmes-like impression by charging on the field and diving into the left corner of the end zone.
On the very next offensive drive, Mahomes caps off an 85-yard drive by handing off to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who goes to the outside and finds his way to the left side of the end zone to bump the score up 21-0 early in the second quarter.
Las Vegas would help give Kansas City a short field on the next drive as Derek Carr throws for Foster Moreau, but the ball slips out of his grasp, and Tyrann Mathieu makes the interception at the Raiders 39-yard line. On their fourth possession, Kansas City’s offense ends a methodical 10-play, 34-yard drive with an easy score as Mahomes connects with wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Raider two-yard line. The score would be Gordon’s first since September 2019 when he was with New England.
The Raiders turned the ball over again on their consecutive drive; as receiver Hunter Renfrow begins to turn upfield after securing a pass from Derek Carr at the 50, Frank Clark gets a hand in to force the ball loose for Tyrann Mathieu to get it back from Patrick Mahomes and Co.
Twelve plays later, Kansas City is in the end zone again as CEH goes up the gut for a six-yard run and score.
The tail-end of the first half marked the first time Las Vegas crossed the 50-yard line as the Raiders finally answered by putting three on the board following a 26-yard field by kicker Daniel Carlson to end a 15-play drive going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Kansas City padded their lead with two Harrison Butker field goals, one from 54-yards out and the other from 37. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ lone possession ended with their first and only touchdown drive of the game as Carr hits Renfrow for the four-yard score to cap a 13-play drive that traveled 65 yards. Carlson would miss the PAT, however.
In the fourth, Kansas City gradually began pulling their starters to give the back-ups some snaps. The quarterback with Las Vegas committing their fourth turnover as defensive end Alex Okafor brutally sacks Derek Carr, forcing the ball to pop out for safety Armani Watts to pick it up.
The defensive play would result in backup quarterback Chad Henne handing the ball off to running back Derrick Gore, who slices through the Raider defense for a 51-yard touchdown run on the drive’s first play.
Las Vegas made their best attempt to end Week 14 on a high note with a score on their final drive of the game. After going ten plays for 58 yards to the Chiefs 22-yard line, Carr completes a pass to receiver Zay Jones, who loses the football for the Raider’ fifth turnover of the game as safety Juan Thornhill is there to scoop it up and seal Kansas City’s sixth win in a row.
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