2020? Wild.
Sunday’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs? Also wild.
The Raiders pumped out a hard-fought victory on Sunday afternoon as they upset the Chiefs on the road, 40-32.
First Half
Kansas City was shut down on their first drive, being forced to punt after just two-and-a-half minutes of play. Las Vegas started with the ball at their own five and drove 75 yards before setting up for a field goal on the 20-yard line. Daniel Carlson connected from 38 yards out. Kansas City then orchestrated a beautiful nine-play, 88-yard drive that resulted in a Patrick Mahomes three-yard touchdown run. The Raiders, trailing by four, had the ball for just over one minute before Derek Carr was picked off by Bashaud Breeland.
The Chiefs opened the second half with the ball, the lead, and momentum. Mahomes and co. drove 18 yards before Tyreek Hill took the ball himself for a 10-yard touchdown run. Las Vegas’ next two drives both lasted five plays, went 75 yards, and resulted in touchdowns. The first one finished with Nelson Agholor hauling in a 59-yard pass while the second saw Darren Waller secure a five-yard pass. However, wedged in the middle of these two drives was an eight-yard touchdown catch from Sammy Watkins. After the Waller touchdown, the Chiefs had the ball before two minutes before punting back to Las Vegas. The Raiders picked up eight yards on two plays before Derek Carr hit Henry Ruggs III for a 72-yard touchdown connection. Trailing by three, Kansas City got the ball back and hit a 32-yard field goal. The half ended with the Raiders in possession of the ball but unable to score.
At halftime, the game was tied, 24-24.
Second Half
The Raiders opened the second half with the ball but went nowhere, gaining just two yards on three plays. They punted to the Chiefs, who also went three-and-out. The Raiders stalled again on their next drive, giving the ball back to the Chiefs. Believe it or not, the Chiefs stalled again, too, punting back to the Raiders. The Raiders’ first two drives of the half totaled eight plays, 13 yards, three minutes and 12 seconds, one first down, zero points, and two punts. Similarly, the Chiefs first two drives amounted to eight plays, 25 yards, four minutes and 34 seconds, one first down, zero points, and two punts. Finally, the momentum started to pick up again as the Raiders got the ball back and orchestrated a 71-yard drive. This drive took eight minutes and carried into the fourth quarter, which is when Josh Jacobs finally took the ball up the middle for a seven-yard score. Daniel Carlson missed the point as the Raiders took a six-point lead.
Kansas City did not see similar success in their first drive of the fourth quarter as they punted again. The Raiders capitalized on this, driving 45 yards in five minutes before Daniel Carlson connected from 43 yards out. Kansas City’s fourth drive of the half came to an abrupt ending as they ran just four plays for three yards before Mahomes was picked off by safety Jeff Heath, who returned the ball to the two-yard line. Josh Jacobs punched it in with 5:30 left to play, extending the Las Vegas lead to 16. Down by two scores, the Chiefs drove 78 yards in less than 90 seconds, adding six points as Travis Kelce hauled in a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Chiefs attempted to go for two and succeeded as Mahomes scrambled, stiff-armed a defender, and threw a stunning dart to the back of the end zone where Darrel Williams was waiting. With four minutes left, the Raiders re-gained possession and looked to put the game on ice. They were successful, as Las Vegas picked up two critical first downs and secured the victory.
The Raiders improved to 3-2 with their 40-32 victory over the Chiefs. Kansas City’s first loss of the year drops them to 4-1.
Stats
Josh Jacobs led the Raiders in rushing with 23 carries for 77 yards and two scores. However, Devontae Booker also impressed on the ground, adding seven carries for 62 yards. Derek Carr completed just 22 passes but accumulated 347 yards and three touchdowns. He finished with one interception and one sack, too. Henry Ruggs led the team in receiving as he caught two passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. Nelson Agholor also caught two passes, going for 67 yards and a score. Darren Waller saw the largest volume with his five catches on seven targets for 48 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, Nevin Lawson led Las Vegas with six tackles (one for loss) and one sack. Chris Smith and Maxx Crosby each had one sack, too. Jeff Heath’s interception was the lone turnover forced by the Raiders.
The Chiefs had a quiet ground game as Clyde Edwards-Helaire picked up just 40 yards on 10 touches due to the Chiefs’ pass-heavy game script. Mahomes completed 22 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. He threw one pick and was sacked thrice. Travis Kelce caught eight of 12 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown while Tyreek Hill added 78 yards on three catches.
Anthony Hitchens tallied nine tackles in the loss while rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. added six tackles and a sack. Daniel Sorensen was an important factor defensively with his eight tackles, as was Damien Wilson and his seven tackles. Bashaud Breeland’s interception was the lone turnover forced by the Chiefs.
The Raiders dominated in time of possession, keeping the ball for 58.8 percent of the game. Las Vegas’ eight penalties for 59 yards hurt them, but Kansas City took a bigger hit with their 10 penalties for 94 yards. The Raiders and Chiefs each saw 14 third-downs situations; the Raiders converted seven and the Chiefs six. Las Vegas finished two-for-two on fourth down and four-for-four in the red zone while the Chiefs were one-for-two on fourth down and four-for-five in the red zone. Kansas City’s total of five punts hurt them. (Las Vegas punted twice.)
Up Next
The Chiefs are greeted by an extended break after their Thursday night game was pushed back to Monday night at 5:00 p.m. EST, when they’ll take on the Bills in Buffalo. The Raiders, meanwhile, will be on their bye.
Highlights
Still in it.
📺: #LVvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/THRjRhmqyc
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 11, 2020
Keep. On. Stacking.
📺: #LVvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/4tniWFtpwN
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 11, 2020
Cheetah has been living in the end zone 🐆
📺: #LVvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/Y0F6iO2aOH
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 11, 2020
WELCOME BACK BREEZY
📺: #LVvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/Zi8h9eE79q
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 11, 2020
“It’s about time…I’ve had a few kids since we won here, so it’s a good feeling.”
Derek Carr is bringing the game ball home to his kids after the @Raiders huge win at Arrowhead. (@EvanWashburn) https://t.co/s5wV8soQwH
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 11, 2020
You truly love to see it.#LVvsKC | CBS pic.twitter.com/EQujPCOpp7
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2020
Josh. Jacobs. 💪💪💪#LVvsKC | CBS pic.twitter.com/M8H7cES3ui
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2020
Hey. You.
Yes, you.Here's @__RUGGS's first career TD that everybody is talking about. #RaiderNation#LVvsKC is on CBS. pic.twitter.com/eq7pP9BUly
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2020
Just a gorgeous pitch and catch. 😍@derekcarrqb -> Nelly for six.#LVvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/IEepglToWt
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1315341540370182144?s=20
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