The new-look Las Vegas Raiders have shown they have the moxie to win grind-it-out games, as they did in wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints. So, why not be optimistic with the always-tough Kansas City Chiefs coming to town?
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defense made it happen late in the fourth quarter in the Chiefs’ 30-27 victory over the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Quickly, too.
With the Raiders holding on to a 19-17 lead in the fourth quarter, Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III ran for a 3-yard gain and a 2-yard gain, and Mahomes threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton. Walker then finished it off with a TD to give the Chiefs a 23-19 lead on a four-play, 65-yard drive.
Las Vegas still had time, but Chiefs linebacker Jeffrey Bassa knocked down Raiders special teams player Dareke Young, who dropped the ball, and linebacker Jack Cochrane recovered at the Raiders’ 22. Walker ran for a 22-yard touchdown, his second TD in 19 seconds, to make it 30-19 with 3:02 left. Vegas wasn’t through, though. Kirk Cousins hit Brock Bowers for a 20-yard TD and then completed the conversion to Cody While, making the final score 30-17.
But that final score doesn’t show what happened in the last 1:46 of the game. It started with a failed Raiders onside kick, followed by a KC three-and-out. Even though Chiefs punter Matt Araiza kicked a 52-yard punt to the Raiders’ 1, the Raiders weren’t done. Cousins drove his team 50 yards to the Chiefs’ 49. Then, with 10 seconds to go, Cousins’ pass — intended for Michael Mayer at the Chiefs’ 36 — was intercepted by Xavier Nwankpa. If it had been complete, the play would have set up Matt Gay for a game-tying kick.
In the end, the game came down to what the Chiefs are known for: they know how to win games. It starts with Mahomes, followed by the defense. Adding Walker to this offense makes the Chiefs even better because it takes pressure off Mahomes. As long as Mahomes, Chiefs coach Andy Reid, and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are there, KC is a dangerous opponent.
For their part, the Raiders played well and showed, once again, that they have arrived. Sure, there’s no question that eventually No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will take over as QB, and the anticipation is that he’ll become a star. But for that to happen, the Raiders need more talent on the offensive line and at wide receiver. RB Ashton Jeanty also needs to keep grinding (58 yards on 15 carries vs. KC), and Mike Washington Jr. must grow into a capable #2 back (9 carries for 18 yards on Sunday).
But here’s the point to remember: the game showed the Raiders can handle the grind of a long season, which has the New England Patriots on the road and the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills at home coming up.
Part of that grind will be a return match with the Chiefs at Arrowhead in Kansas City. But rather than wait with anticipation for that January 10 game, there’s every reason to expect the Chiefs will rest a good share of their primary players as a prelude to another playoff run. Conversely, the question is whether the Raiders will win enough games between now and then to settle in the same spot.
Now, wouldn’t that be delightful!
