By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
Game Analysis
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
Game Analysis
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Game Analysis NFL
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
Game Analysis
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Raiders’ D denies Chiefs chance to clinch eighth straight AFC West title
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > Raiders’ D denies Chiefs chance to clinch eighth straight AFC West title
NFLSports News

Raiders’ D denies Chiefs chance to clinch eighth straight AFC West title

BigP
Last updated: 2023/12/26 at 1:34 AM
BigP Published December 26, 2023
Share
Raiders' D denies Chiefs chance to clinch eighth straight AFC West title
SHARE
  • Paul Gutierrez

    Contents
    Las Vegas RaidersKansas City Chiefs
    Close

    Paul Gutierrez

    ESPN Staff Writer

      Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role – writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA’s Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis’ Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
  • Adam Teicher

    Close

    Adam Teicher

    ESPN Staff Writer

    • Covered Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas City Star
    • Joined ESPN in 2013

Dec 25, 2023, 04:20 PM ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs had a chance to capture their eighth consecutive AFC West title Monday with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

Instead, the Raiders’ defense stifled Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, holding them to just two scores in a 20-14 win. The defense had two touchdowns within a seven-second span to close out the first half and keep their own AFC West hopes alive.

Las Vegas Raiders

Monday’s win marked the Raiders’ second against the Chiefs since 2019, with both coming at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Raiders improved to 7-8, keeping their faint playoff hopes alive. It also kept interim coach Antonio Pierce’s dream of removing the interim tag alive.

Describe the game in two words: Stayin’ Alive: The Raiders have a shot at winning the AFC West, so long as they win at the Indianapolis Colts and at home against the Denver Broncos, and the Chiefs lose at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Breakout performance: Malcolm Koonce as a game-changing pass-rusher. The third-year defensive end became the first player ever to sack Mahomes three times in a game. Koonce, operating opposite NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Maxx Crosby, has five sacks in the past two games and seven sacks on the season.

QB breakdown: Aidan O’Connell again showed the highs and lows of riding with a rookie quarterback. He went 9-of-21 for 62 yards and did not complete a pass in the second, third or fourth quarters. Luckily for him, the defense carried the day and O’Connell’s up-and-down season continued.

Pivotal play: RB Zamir White, starting for the second straight game in place of injured All-Pro Josh Jacobs, essentially ended the game with a 43-yard burst up the right sideline on second-and-4 with 2:35 to play. White finished with 145 yards rushing on 22 carries. — Paul Gutierrez

play

0:18

Mahomes, Kelce both get heated on sidelines after tough first half

Patrick Mahomes gets animated toward the Chiefs’ offensive line, and Travis Kelce smashes his helmet on the sideline after a rough first half.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have had season-long problems with offensive penalties, turnovers and dropped passes. Monday’s loss to the Raiders featured both Las Vegas touchdowns coming on defense off Chiefs turnovers — within seven seconds of one another.

The Chiefs had a chance to clinch the AFC West with a victory. But wrapping up an eighth straight division title will have to wait for another week.

Describe the game in two words: Offensive meltdown. The Chiefs took their sloppiness to new levels, including Raiders touchdowns on back-to-back turnovers.

Troubling trend: The Raiders were able to get consistent pressure on Mahomes without blitzing and mostly gave the Chiefs little room to run. Five of the Chiefs’ first 11 plays went for negative yardage.

Eye-popping stats: The first: the Chiefs’ minus-18 yards in the first quarter, which was the lowest for any NFL team since the Chiefs had minus-19 in the opening period of a 2011 game against the New York Jets. The second: the Chiefs’ 3-4 record this season at Arrowhead Stadium, where they have lost three in a row.

Pivotal play: The Chiefs led 7-3 in the second quarter when running back Isiah Pacheco took the snap, but fumbled as he attempted to hand the ball to Mahomes. The Raiders recovered and returned it for a touchdown, which allowed them to take the lead for good. — Adam Teicher

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden

2025 NFL franchise tag tracker: Tee Higgins leads list of candidates (again)

Will the 49ers regret paying Brock Purdy? | First Things First

Panthers re-sign QB Andy Dalton on 2-year deal to keep mentoring Bryce Young

BigP December 26, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Jalen Hurts is the highest-paid player in NFL history: The $255M contract by the numbers
    NFLSports News

    Jalen Hurts is the highest-paid player in NFL history: The $255M contract by the numbers

    BigP BigP April 17, 2023
    How the burpee turned the Detroit Lions into contenders
    Sources: U-M staffer bought tickets at 11 schools
    No. 20 DE Rushing decommits from Arizona
    New NFL Power Rankings: We picked players who have pleasantly surprised for every team
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?