Raiders’ disastrous fumble helps Chiefs win one other nail-biter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs achieved the primary of their 2024 objectives on Black Friday by clinching a playoff spot of their 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It was one other ugly victory that was too shut for consolation for the defending Tremendous Bowl champions, after they let a 13-point third-quarter lead turn out to be a one-possession lead by the fourth quarter. The Raiders regarded in place to drag off a significant upset as they obtained into discipline purpose place with 14 seconds remaining whereas trailing by 2 factors. However an unlawful shift penalty and turnover by the offense price Las Vegas an opportunity to kick a successful discipline purpose.

Subsequent for the Chiefs, they hope to win a ninth consecutive AFC West championship. They’ll clinch the division title by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. The 11-1 Chiefs additionally lead the remainder of the AFC within the chase for the convention’s No. 1 playoff seed.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Pacheco is again. Operating again Isiah Pacheco performed for the primary time since breaking his leg in a Week 2 recreation. Pacheco delivered an enormous play on a third-quarter discipline purpose drive with a 34-yard run.

Promising development: The Chiefs, who had simply two sacks of their previous two video games, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell thrice. Defensive sort out Chris Jones had been held with no sack since a Week 4 recreation towards the Chargers however dropped O’Connell twice.

Eye-popping stat: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ second-quarter landing go to receiver Justin Watson had a completion likelihood of 26.6%, in keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats. That is his lowest completion likelihood on a landing go since 2021, when he had a fourth-quarter landing throw to Darrel Williams in Week 10 towards the Raiders (22%).

Prediction for subsequent week: Cornerback Josh Williams will stay within the beginning lineup. He changed Nazeeh Johnson within the second quarter towards the Raiders after Johnson was crushed badly on a protracted go. Williams, who has performed properly at instances for the Chiefs, was an improve over Johnson. — Adam Teicher

Subsequent recreation: vs. Chargers (Dec. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce raised greater than eyebrows when he acknowledged a sure narrative surrounding the Black Friday recreation, saying it was “one of the best crew in soccer towards the worst crew in soccer.” Neither crew, although, regarded its respective half within the Chiefs’ win. All the things goes out the window in rivalry video games, and there is one thing about vacation week video games at Arrowhead, what with the Raiders having upset the Chiefs there final Christmas. Pragmatically, scaring the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champs is the definition of an ethical victory for Las Vegas, whereas the loss retains the Raiders, in want of reinforcements for a rebuild, on tempo for a top-three draft choose.

Most stunning efficiency: Kicker Daniel Carlson lacking three discipline objectives. Certain, they have been a trio of lengthy makes an attempt — from 56, 55 and 58 yards — and within the chilly. However what made the misses so stunning was that Carlson had made 18 straight discipline objectives earlier than arising simply quick on the primary and third and hooking the second huge left.

Promising development: The Raiders entered the sport with the worst speeding assault within the NFL, averaging 74.6 yards on the bottom per recreation. They rushed for 116 yards towards the Chiefs, who entered the day with the No. 3-ranked rush protection.

Prediction for subsequent week: Extra deep balls. Certainly, the vertical recreation is embedded within the Raiders’ DNA, so it shouldn’t be stunning if Las Vegas takes extra deep photographs subsequent week at Tampa Bay. However with Aidan O’Connell again, and his means to throw the ball deeper than the injured Gardner Minshew, count on a back-to-the-future vibe authored by interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner and assisted by his father, Norv, with speedy receiver Tre Tucker, who hauled in a 58-yard TD in Kansas Metropolis.

QB breakdown: O’Connell is who we thought he was. Making his first look since breaking the thumb on his proper (passing) hand Oct. 20, O’Connell was snug within the pocket and throwing deep but additionally displayed his trademark lack of mobility. He handed for 340 yards, finishing 23 of 35 passes, however took three sacks, together with one which knocked the Raiders out of discipline purpose vary.

Pivotal play: O’Connell was not prepared for Jackson Powers-Johnson‘s snap on the Chiefs’ 38-yard line with 14 seconds to play, and, with the Raiders in place for a successful discipline purpose try, the ball bounced off his chest and was recovered by Chiefs LB Nick Bolton. Ballgame. — Paul Gutierrez

Subsequent recreation: at Buccaneers (Dec. 8, 1 p.m. ET)