Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) – Kansas City Chiefs (7-0): 20-27
It had been 13 games since he last scored a touchdown in the regular season. Obviously, he chose National Tight Ends Day, initiated in 2018 by George Kittle, to defeat the Indian sign: Travis Kelce (10 receptions, 90 yards, 1 touchdown) is back, let it be known. After two first reference matches during the Chiefs' last two outings, Kelce therefore found his way back to the end zone this Sunday, to restore the advantage to his team, just before half-time (10-14).
The sober and efficient Raiders
An advantage temporarily lost after a perfect start to the match. Four minutes and 58 seconds. Four passes attempted and four passes completed for Patrick Mahomes (27/38, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 6 races, 17 yards), including the very first of the match for his new target, DeAndre Hopkins (2 receptions, 29 yards), arrived three days earlier from Tennessee. And a running touchdown for Kareem Hunt (21 carries, 59 yards, 1 touchdowns) (0-7). The first series of this divisional duel between Raiders and Chiefs was a story of numbers and perfection for Kansas City who could not have dreamed of a better start.
No Patrick Mahomes, nor DeAndre Hopkins opposite, which explains why Vegas' response was more jerky. Less fluid, since it took two minutes more for Gardner Minshew (24/30, 209 yards, 2 touchdowns) and the Raiders to go 70 yards to the Chiefs' goal, but just as effective with a touchdown from Jakobi Meyers (6 receptions, 52 yards, 1 touchdown)his second of the season (7-7). An equalizer before taking the advantage for the first time in the match, through the foot of Daniel Carlson, clinic from 54 yards (10-7).
The Chiefs defense is impassable
After a field goal on each side (13-17), Patrick Mahomes played Patrick Mahomes… 2024 version, that is to say throw an interceptionhis eighth consecutive match with a ball returned to the opponent, although the credit is more to be given to John Jenkins for this action. But the Chiefs defense also made the Chiefs defense… 2024 version, that is to say saving the butt of its superstar quarterback, by stopping all four Raiders attempts five yards from the goal.
Less daring than their opponents, the Chiefs did not attempt the fourth attempt five yards from the goal, despite the insistence of Patrick Mahomes, at the end of an interminable series of 19 games and almost 10 minutes. It was Harrison Butker who added three points to the visitors' bag (13-20). A wise decision since the Raiders' next possession quickly ended, with a Gardner Minshew fumble caused by Mike Pennel and recovered Drue Tranquill. With a defense like that, the Chiefs offense can sleep.
She can, but does not do so, by capitalizing on the turnover with a touchdown from Xavier Worthy (4 receptions, 37 yards, 1 touchdown), his third in total this season (13-27). The Raiders' final touchdown scored by DJ Turner (4 receptions, 28 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 run, 4 yards) came too late (20-27). Two minutes from the end, Vegas had to recover the onside kick to hope for a miracle. It didn't happen. Kansas City set a franchise record by stringing together a 13th consecutive victory, riding on last season, and remains undefeated.
