What we learned about Kansas City Chiefs in 27-20 road win vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs looked like their old selves offensively in remaining undefeated with a 27-20 road victory Sunday afternoon over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
For a day, KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce put up big stat lines more reminiscent of past years, leading the Chiefs’ offense while coming together for repeated connections.
Mahomes finished with 262 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Kelce had 10 catches for 90 yards with a score.
KC pulled away 27-13 in the fourth quarter before the defense allowed a touchdown with 2:03 remaining in what amounted to garbage time.
The game was the debut for Chiefs receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who played 23 snaps after the team acquired him via trade from Tennessee last week.
KC’s defense had its own moments in the win, too.
One of the most significant sequences came after a Mahomes third-quarter interception deep in Chiefs territory.
The Raiders took over at the Chiefs’ 3-yard line trailing 17-13 before getting turned back on four plays. Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison picked up two yards on two plays before losing two on third down when Chiefs linebackers Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton corralled him.
Then, on fourth down, Chiefs defensive tackle Turk Wharton swam to the inside to take down Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew for a sack and one of the contest’s biggest plays.
Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel came through on the Raiders’ next possession, sacking Minshew and stripping the ball away. Tranquill scooped it for the recovery, and Mahomes led KC to a touchdown on the ensuing drive to make it 27-13 with 4:59 left.
The Chiefs led 17-10 at halftime thanks to effective offense.
Mahomes was decisive and accurate, completing 19 of 24 passes for 192 yards before the break. He also received some timely help from Hopkins, who had 10 first-half snaps but pulled down two catches in critical situations for 28 yards.
Kelce also picked his way through the Raiders’ zone defenses for seven catches and 61 yards, while also pulling down his first touchdown of the season — a five-yard grab — in the second quarter.
The Raiders also showed some life offensively behind Minshew in a low-possession half. Minshew was 6-for-6 for 72 yards in the first quarter, which included a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by a Jakobi Meyers seven-yard touchdown.
The Chiefs (7-0) will play at home on Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:15 p.m. Central on Nov. 4.
This story was originally published October 27, 2024 at 6:27 PM.
