The Kansas City Chiefs secured their first goal of the 2024 season on Black Friday, clinching a playoff spot with a narrow 19-17 victory over . Despite holding a 13-point lead in the third quarter, the Chiefs nearly let the game slip away as the Raiders managed to cut the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter. With 14 seconds remaining, Las Vegas had a chance to win with a field goal, but a crucial illegal shift penalty and a turnover sealed the win for Kansas City.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs aim for a ninth consecutive AFC West title. They can clinch the division with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. With an 11-1 record, the Chiefs are also vying for the top seed in the AFC, setting up a potential home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
For Kansas City, one of the standout moments of the game was the return of running back Isiah Pacheco, who had been sidelined since a Week 2 injury. Pacheco made an immediate impact, contributing a 34-yard run on a third-quarter field goal drive. Another positive development for the Chiefs was their defense, which had struggled in recent weeks but came alive against the Raiders. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, who had been sack-less since Week 4, recorded two sacks on Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Kansas City’s offense was also highlighted by a remarkable touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to receiver Justin Watson, which had a low 26.6% completion probability—Mahomes’ lowest on a touchdown pass since 2021.
Meanwhile, the Raiders (2-10) fought hard despite being labeled as the “worst team in football” by their coach, Antonio Pierce. Although Las Vegas came up short, they did manage to rush for 116 yards against the Chiefs’ third-ranked rush defense, a promising sign for the future. However, kicker Daniel Carlson missed three field goals, which proved costly for the Raiders. O’Connell, making his first appearance since an October injury, passed for 340 yards but struggled with mobility and was sacked three times, including a pivotal sack that knocked the Raiders out of field goal range. The game’s defining moment came when a miscue on a snap with 14 seconds left resulted in a fumble recovered by Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, ending the game and securing the Chiefs’ victory.
Next, the Raiders will travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 8. Despite the loss, the Raiders’ performance showed potential, especially with their renewed deep-ball approach under interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner.
