In every meeting between the Chiefs and the Raiders, the atmosphere is electric. On Christmas Day, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs lost 20-14 because they were unable to produce offensive fireworks despite the tensions and intensity of division rivalry.
The only points scored by Las Vegas came from two field goals kicked by Daniel Carlson; the offense was lackluster. It was moot because the Raiders’ defense was so hot that they scored twice off of Chiefs mistakes and shocked the world with the victory.
The Chiefs’ 9-6 record after the holiday setback puts them out of contention for the AFC’s top spot. With a win, they still have a shot at taking home the AFC West. On New Year’s Eve, they will host the Cincinnati Bengals in a rematch of their last two AFC championship games. In the final game of the regular season, Kansas City will travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
Looking ahead, the Raiders’ postseason odds are intriguing at 7-8. As of Monday, they held the 12th seed in the AFC. For them to claim divisional victory, they must ensure the Chiefs’ defeat. In their last games before hosting the Denver Broncos, Vegas will travel to face the Indianapolis Colts.
Regarding Monday’s game, the Chiefs’ initial possessions in the holiday matchup hinted at issues that would arise later on. Their first two drives were incomplete, marking the first such start to a game in Mahomes’s tenure. The offense’s first-quarter yardage total was minus eighteen. The previous club to do so was the 2004–05 St. Louis Rams, who lost 31–7 to the 2004–05 Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter after recording minus-20 yards.
At the start of the second quarter, CBS aired a video of Mahomes addressing his offensive line with intensity and, presumably, frustration. The Chiefs appeared to be finally regaining their form minutes later when running back Isiah Pacheco scored a touchdown while playing quarterback.
After the trick play, the Chiefs made two more costly blunders, which the Raiders’ defense used to their advantage. Las Vegas scored two touchdowns in the span of five seconds near the end of the second quarter, taking advantage of back-to-back turnovers.
Bilal Nichols, a defensive tackle, returned a fumble 8 yards for the first touchdown. It was the fallout of yet another botched trick play involving Pacheco.
In the third quarter, Mahomes scrambled for what seemed like every snap in an attempt to play hero ball, but the defense of the Raiders stood firm. After going scoreless in the fourth, the Chiefs gave up the advantage to Las Vegas, who extended it with another field goal from Carlson.
In the second half, Pacheco’s helmet came off, causing him to take a knee to the head. Unfortunately, he was declared out in the fourth quarter due to a concussion. Pacheco tried to rest on the medical table, but it collapsed during a game when Kansas City appeared to be having a field day.
It appeared like the Chiefs’ offense was picking up steam in the fourth quarter. Mahomes kept the play alive by avoiding two defenders and then completed a touchdown ball to wide receiver Justin Watson.
On the following drive, though, the Raiders ran the ball on the Chiefs’ defense and managed to hold on for the upset.
As time expired, Mahomes and interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Raiders both fought back tears. In an interview given after the game, Pierce lauded the Raiders’ ability to persevere despite a difficult season. After losing head coach Josh McDaniels in the middle of the season, the squad is 4-3 under his tutelage.
From the sidelines, Mahomes showed his emotions as well. His record in AFC West meetings following November 1st, starting in 2019, was 17-0 going into the contest. The Chiefs’ dominating streak is coming to an end this season, and that specialized statistic is a reflection of that.
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