Chiefs’ lopsided victory over Raiders earns Kansas City near-perfect report card
It took seven games, but the Chiefs crawled over the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 31-0 trouncing of the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs, who improved to 4-3, had Patrick Mahomes and several other starters out of the game early in the fourth quarter. It was Kansas City’s first regular-season shutout since 2011.
Here’s more analysis of the blowout, including our report card:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Wide receiver Rashee Rice wasn’t going to accumulate 22 missed games’ worth of stats in his return, but he tried. Rice was quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ top target, with nine, producing seven receptions and two touchdowns. It was the first multi-touchdown game for Rice since he entered the NFL in 2023.
Next: The Chiefs return to prime-time next week when they play host to the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.” The Oct. 27 game starts at 7:15 p.m. Central Time and will be televised by ABC (Channel 9 in Kansas City) and ESPN.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: A
Hang the first-half possession chart in the Nelson-Atkins. The Chiefs had three possessions and touchdown drives of 94, 82 and 92, all capped with passes from Mahomes. Rice was the primary target, but seven players caught passes before halftime and a 44-yard strike to tight end Travis Kelce and 28-yard hookup with Noah Gray were season longs.
It wasn’t perfect for Mahomes. In the first half he nearly had two picks. When tackle Jonah Laulu dropped an interception, Mahomes went over and patted him on the back.
Backup QB Gardner Minshew nearly had his first touchdown pass as a member of the Chiefs. He entered the game with the Chiefs at the Vegas 3-yard line, took the snap with Mahomes lined up next to him in a three-point stance, and forward-pitched the ball to Rice.
But the Chiefs were called for illegal motion. Two plays later, Mahomes took care of things with a touchdown pass to Brown.
Rushing offense: A
Isiah Pacheco’s best run came when the Chiefs were pinned deep and he dragged defenders the final six yards for an 11-yard gain. Overall, a solid day for the Chiefs’ leading running back, who finished with a season-best 57 yards.
Rookie Brashard Smith gets better with each game and finished with combined 81 rushing and receiving yards.
The Chiefs were terrific in short-yardage situations, powering for the needed 1 or 2 yards — and this was true even after right guard Trey Smith left the game and was replaced by Mike Caliendo in the second quarter.
Caliendo finished out the contest along with backup center Hunter Nourzad and tackle Wanya Morris, who subbed in for Jawaan Taylor, who suffered an injury of his own.
Passing defense: A
Opposing quarterback Geno Smith and the Raiders’ passing game couldn’t muster much of anything. It hurt to have wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers, one of the NFL’s best, unavailable because of injuries.
Smith was replaced by Kenny Pickett early in the fourth quarter and Pickett fumbled away his first snap. Jerry Tillery was there for the recovery for KC.
Rushing defense: A
Ashton Jeanty entered the game leading NFL rookies in yards from scrimmage (497) and rushing yards (424). He finished with 21 yards on six carries. The Chiefs won all the major statistical battles on Sunday, leading the Raiders in first downs (30-3), total yards (434-95) and rushing yards (152-25).
The meager three first downs allowed by the Chiefs were the fewest in team history.
Special teams: C
Placekicker Harrison Butker had a perfect day with four extra points and a 38-yard field goal. Perhaps his early-season troubles are behind him.
Return man Nikko Remigio had a busy day as punt returner. He muffed a return and lost yards and added an 11-yarder.
The Raiders’ Raheem Mostert averaged 34 yards on kickoff returns. The Chiefs would like to have done better there, but that’s nit-picking on a day everything else was working.
This story was originally published October 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM.