Paul Gutierrez
Adam Teicher
Adam Teicher
ESPN Workers Author
Lined Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas Metropolis Star
Joined ESPN in 2013
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs achieved the primary of their 2024 objectives on Black Friday by clinching a playoff spot of their 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
It was one other ugly victory that was too shut for consolation for the defending Tremendous Bowl champions, after they let a 13-point third-quarter lead turn out to be a one-possession lead by the fourth quarter. The Raiders seemed in place to drag off a significant upset as they acquired into discipline aim place with 14 seconds remaining whereas trailing by 2 factors. However an unlawful shift penalty and turnover by the offense value Las Vegas an opportunity to kick a profitable discipline aim.
Subsequent for the Chiefs, they hope to win a ninth consecutive AFC West championship. They will clinch the division title by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. The 11-1 Chiefs additionally lead the remainder of the AFC within the chase for the convention’s No. 1 playoff seed.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Pacheco is again. Working again Isiah Pacheco performed for the primary time since breaking his leg in a Week 2 sport. Pacheco delivered an enormous play on a third-quarter discipline aim drive with a 34-yard run.
Promising pattern: The Chiefs, who had simply two sacks of their previous two video games, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell 3 times. Defensive sort out Chris Jones had been held with out a sack since a Week 4 sport in opposition to the Chargers however dropped O’Connell twice.
Eye-popping stat: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ second-quarter landing go to receiver Justin Watson had a completion likelihood of 26.6%, in keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats. That is his lowest completion likelihood on a landing go since 2021, when he had a fourth-quarter landing throw to Darrel Williams in Week 10 in opposition to the Raiders (22%).
Prediction for subsequent week: Cornerback Josh Williams will stay within the beginning lineup. He changed Nazeeh Johnson within the second quarter in opposition to the Raiders after Johnson was crushed badly on an extended go. Williams, who has performed nicely at instances for the Chiefs, was an improve over Johnson. — Adam Teicher
Subsequent sport: vs. Chargers (Dec. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET)
Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce raised greater than eyebrows when he acknowledged a sure narrative surrounding the Black Friday sport, saying it was “the perfect workforce in soccer in opposition to the worst workforce in soccer.” Neither workforce, although, seemed its respective half within the Chiefs’ win. The whole lot goes out the window in rivalry video games, and there is one thing about vacation week video games at Arrowhead, what with the Raiders having upset the Chiefs there final Christmas. Pragmatically, scaring the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champs is the definition of an ethical victory for Las Vegas, whereas the loss retains the Raiders, in want of reinforcements for a rebuild, on tempo for a top-three draft decide.
Most stunning efficiency: Kicker Daniel Carlson lacking three discipline objectives. Positive, they have been a trio of lengthy makes an attempt — from 56, 55 and 58 yards — and within the chilly. However what made the misses so stunning was that Carlson had made 18 straight discipline objectives earlier than arising simply brief on the primary and third and hooking the second huge left.
Promising pattern: The Raiders entered the sport with the worst dashing assault within the NFL, averaging 74.6 yards on the bottom per sport. They rushed for 116 yards in opposition to the Chiefs, who entered the day with the No. 3-ranked rush protection.
Prediction for subsequent week: Extra deep balls. Certainly, the vertical sport is embedded within the Raiders’ DNA, so it shouldn’t be stunning if Las Vegas takes extra deep pictures subsequent week at Tampa Bay. However with Aidan O’Connell again, and his capability to throw the ball deeper than the injured Gardner Minshew, anticipate a back-to-the-future vibe authored by interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner and assisted by his father, Norv, with speedy receiver Tre Tucker, who hauled in a 58-yard TD in Kansas Metropolis.
QB breakdown: O’Connell is who we thought he was. Making his first look since breaking the thumb on his proper (passing) hand Oct. 20, O’Connell was comfy within the pocket and throwing deep but additionally displayed his trademark lack of mobility. He handed for 340 yards, finishing 23 of 35 passes, however took three sacks, together with one which knocked the Raiders out of discipline aim vary.
Pivotal play: O’Connell was not prepared for Jackson Powers-Johnson’s snap on the Chiefs’ 38-yard line with 14 seconds to play, and, with the Raiders in place for a profitable discipline aim try, the ball bounced off his chest and was recovered by Chiefs LB Nick Bolton. Ballgame. — Paul Gutierrez
Subsequent sport: at Buccaneers (Dec. 8, 1 p.m. ET)
