Kansas City Chiefs defense struggled on the Las Vegas Raiders’ final drive before a fumble secured KC’s 19-17 home victory on Black Friday.
In this video, KC Star reporter Jesse Newell and Brett Taveau (author of the Chiefs book “Unpacking Greatness” and a longtime high school offensive coordinator) take a closer look at details from that last defensive possession.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) tackles Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) in the fourth quarter during an NFL game on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
KC couldn’t have asked for a much better start through two snaps, playing things well while forcing Las Vegas into short throws over the middle that took time off the clock.
From there, though, the Chiefs weren’t good in multiple areas. The Raiders — including quarterback Aidan O’Connell and tight end Brock Bowers — took advantage of miscommunication, a blown assignment and also a Chiefs defender putting himself in a bad spot with his presnap alignment.
Added together, it paints a picture of the Chiefs not executing as they’d like at game point — at least until they secured the Raiders’ fumble to end it.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (12) held his head in his hands while Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) and defensive end George Karlaftis (56) watched the replay of a botched snap that resulted in a fumble ending the Raiders’ chance of winning the game on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32), right, recovered the fumble. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Jesse Newell covered the Chiefs for The Star until August 2025. He won an EPPY for best sports blog and previously was named top beat writer in his circulation by AP’s Sports Editors. His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.
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