Raiders’ disastrous fumble helps Chiefs win another game

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The Kansas City Chiefs achieved the first of their 2024 goals on Black Friday by clinching a playoff berth in their 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It was another ugly victory that was too close for comfort for the defending Super Bowl champions after they let a 13-point third-quarter lead turn into a one-possession lead in the fourth quarter. The Raiders looked in position to pull off a major upset when they moved into field goal position with 14 seconds left and trailed by 2 points. But a turnover penalty and a turnover by the offense cost Las Vegas a chance to kick a winning field goal.

Next, the Chiefs hope to win a ninth consecutive AFC West championship. They can clinch the division title by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs (11-1) also lead the rest of the AFC in the hunt for the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed.

Describe the game in two words: Pacheco is back. Running back Isiah Pacheco played for the first time since breaking his leg in a Week 2 game. Pacheco made a big play on a field goal in the third quarter with a 34-yard run.

Promising trend: The Chiefs, who had just two sacks in their last two games, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell three times. Defensive tackle Chris Jones had been without a sack since the Week 4 game against the Chargers, but he tackled O’Connell twice.

Surprising Statistic: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ second-quarter touchdown pass to receiver Justin Watson had a completion probability of 26.6%, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s his lowest completion probability on a touchdown pass since 2021, when he made a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Darrel Williams in Week 10 against the Raiders (22%).

Prediction for next week: Cornerback Josh Williams will remain in the starting lineup. He replaced Nazeeh Johnson in the second quarter against the Raiders after Johnson was hit hard on a long pass. Williams, who has played well at times for the Chiefs, was an upgrade over Johnson. — Adam Teicher

Next match: vs. Chargers (December 8, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce raised more than a few eyebrows when he acknowledged a certain narrative surrounding the Black Friday game, saying it was “the best team in football against the worst team in football.” Neither team, however, had their respective role in the Chiefs’ victory. Everything goes out the window in rivalry games, and there’s something about Christmas week games at Arrowhead, as the Raiders defeated the Chiefs there last Christmas. Pragmatically, scaring the two-time defending Super Bowl champions is the definition of a moral victory for Las Vegas, while the loss keeps the Raiders, who need reinforcements for a rebuild, on track for a top-three draft pick. .

Most surprising performance: Kicker Daniel Carlson missed three field goals. Of course, they were a trio of long attempts (56, 55 and 58 yards) and in the cold. But what made the misses so surprising was that Carlson had made 18 straight field goals before coming up short on the first and third and hooking the second wide left.

Promising trend: The Raiders entered the game with the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 74.6 rushing yards per game. They rushed for 116 yards against the Chiefs, who began the day with the No. 3 rushing defense.

Prediction for next week: Deeper balls. In fact, vertical play is embedded in the Raiders’ DNA, so it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas takes more deep shots next week at Tampa Bay. But with Aidan O’Connell back and his ability to throw the ball deeper than the injured Gardner Minshew, expect a back to the future vibe written by interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner and assisted by his father, Norv, with a speedy receiver . Tre Tucker, who had a 58-yard touchdown in Kansas City.

QB Breakdown: O’Connell is who we thought he was. In his first appearance since breaking the thumb on his right hand (passing) on ​​Oct. 20, O’Connell felt comfortable in the pocket and threw deep, but also showed his trademark lack of mobility. He passed for 340 yards, completing 23 of 35 passes, but suffered three sacks, including one that left the Raiders out of field goal range.

Fundamental game: O’Connell was not ready for Jackson Powers-Johnson’s snap at the Chiefs’ 38-yard line with 14 seconds left and, with the Raiders in position for a winning field goal attempt, the ball bounced off his chest and was recovered by Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton. Ball game. — Pablo Gutierrez

Next match: at Buccaneers (December 8, 1 p.m. ET)