Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) – Las Vegas Raiders (7-8): 14-20
The Kansas City Chiefs are having an up-and-down season, but the offensive performance of Andy Reid's men has never been more difficult to watch than tonight. Patrick Mahomes (27/44, 235 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) multiplied the errors, conceding 2 defensive touchdowns, almost a lesser evil considering his overall performance and that of his line.
The Raiders were not better in attack, Aidan O'Connell (9/21, 62 yards) suffering the attacks of Steve Spagnuolo's men, but they did the minimum to improve the work of the defense. With this victory, the Raiders are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Zamir White (145 yards) is the star of the attack in this match, replacing Josh Jacobs who is still absent.
For the Chiefs the end of the season looks like an ordeal, and the specter of elimination remains possible without being probable. Kansas City has big problems to resolve before the playoffs, and the perpetual annoyance of Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines seems to indicate a group on the verge of breakdown.
2 touchdowns in 7 seconds for Las Vegas
The start of the match did not offer a great spectacle, and it was only after a good 20 minutes of observation that the match took off, with the first touchdown of the match for the Chiefs on a daring action by Isiah Pacheco (7-3). Despite Las Vegas opening the score on a field goal, Kansas City has the game in hand. Except that…
Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco (26 yards) misunderstand each other on a new “trick play” action and Mahomes lets the ball escape which Bilal Nichols returns for a touchdown (7-9). That's already a lot, but on the next action Mahomes throws a pretty ugly interception for Jack Jones, who also returns the ball for a touchdown (7-17). 7 seconds, two actions and a huge slump for the Chiefs.
Kansas City is in distress, and the end of the first act ends with a missed field goal, like a symbol. The Raiders' offense only scored on 3 points, but the defense's two touchdowns allowed Las Vegas to return to the locker room with a 10-point lead.
A slow agony
The second half resembled a football mush, with neither team able to advance the ball. Las Vegas limits the damage and adds a field goal to take a nice lead (7-20).
The Chiefs went through the second act like a ghost, without showing any signs of revolt. The momentum is broken, and the attack breaks on the defense of the men in silver and black.
You have to wait until the last four minutes to see Mahomes come out of his box. In an astonishing drive, the heroes are Richie James (54 yards) and Justin Watson (38 yards, 1 TD). The latter scores the touchdown, to keep hope alive in Missouri (14-20).
That's when Zamir White decides to come out of the box, with two big runs that gives the Raiders a field goal opportunity and runs down the clock. Checkmate, and victory for the Raiders against the Chiefs still division leader but weaker than ever.
