Chiefs’ defense clamps down, Mahomes makes history in win over Raiders: Key takeaways (2025)

By Nate Taylor, Vic Tafur, Tashan Reed and Chris Licata

The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders followed up last season’s Christmas Day upset with another gritty battle on Sunday. This time, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs came out on top, 27-20, in a game that warranted a few notes in the history books.

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Mahomes, who extended his interception streak to eight games (including the Super Bowl), became the fastest quarterback to 30,000 career passing yards and threw his 52nd regular season touchdown to Travis Kelce, moving the QB-TE duo into third place in NFL history in that category.

However, it was again the Kansas City defense that won the day after securing four sacks, a goal-line stand late in the third quarter and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery.

Chiefs’ defense made impact plays when it mattered

In what has occurred so often this season, the Chiefs’ defense rescued the offense. After Mahomes threw an interception on a pass that defensive tackle John Jenkins deflected in the end zone, the Chiefs’ defense stonewalled the Raiders, who were just a few yards away from taking the lead in the third quarter.

On third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, the Chiefs’ defensive line and linebackers pushed running back Alexander Mattison backward for a 2-yard loss. Mattison’s three rushing attempts led to zero yards. The Raiders didn’t score any points when they went for it on fourth-and-goal, the play ending in just two seconds when quarterback Gardner Minshew was sacked by defensive end George Karlaftis and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton.

The @Chiefs get the goal line stand!

📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/sMld8ryrAW

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

The Raiders’ next drive ended in a giveaway. While trying to scramble out of the pocket after another blitz from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Minshew fumbled the ball when he was hit from behind by defensive tackle Mike Pennel. After the ball bounced forward, linebacker Drue Tranquill recovered the fumble. The Chiefs’ 10 points in the fourth quarter were manufactured after their defense’s goal-line stop and takeaway. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer

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Raiders’ offense completely stalled out

The Raiders’ defense played well enough to upset the Chiefs (again), but their offense dropped the ball. The Raiders offense actually got off to a good start and scored on their first two drives, but it was downhill from there as they were limited to three points across their next six drives and failed to capitalize on opportunity after opportunity. That’s been a constant theme this season for an offense that’s been known more for racking up penalties and turnovers than yards and points.

Both coaches and players are to blame when a unit is this bad, but offensive coordinator Luke Getsy deserves the majority of the criticism for a lackluster performance against Kansas City in which they mustered just 228 total yards and averaged only 4.1 yards per play.

It quickly became clear that the Raiders couldn’t run the ball against the Chiefs’ stout defensive front, but Getsy kept forcing runs anyway. Starting running back Alexander Mattison was limited to 1.1 yards per carry, but he still received three more touches than standout tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Jakobi Meyers combined.

Getsy also made some strange situational decisions. The Raiders got the ball with 1:57 remaining in the second quarter and one timeout in their pocket while trailing 14-10. Getsy proceeded to call back-to-back runs that went nowhere before dialing up a desperation pass that fell incomplete. The Chiefs then extended their lead to 17-10 before halftime with a field goal.

Once Getsy got out of his opening script, he was conservative, predictable and stubborn. He switched to calling plays from the press box last week after spending the first six games on the sideline, but it seemingly hasn’t made a difference. Unless he improves this season, it’ll be hard for head coach Antonio Pierce to justify retaining Getsy in the offseason. — Tashan Reed, Raiders senior writer

When asked if he's considering making a change at offensive play caller, #Raiders HC Antonio Pierce said he thinks the issue is execution. Doesn't sound like OC Luke Getsy is in jeopardy of losing those duties.

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 27, 2024

Kelce bested Bowers after rookie TE’s hot start

It looked like it might be a changing of the guard at tight end Sunday at Allegiant Stadium as Bowers had three pretty catches for 39 yards as the Raiders took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. But he didn’t touch the ball again until Vegas’ final drive, and it was wily veteran Travis Kelce who was a real difference-maker in the Chiefs’ win.

Kelce finished with a game-high 10 catches on 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown to help the Chiefs stay undefeated. He’s now one touchdown catch shy of tying Tony Gonzalez (76) for the most in Kansas City history. — Vic Tafur, Raiders senior writer

Travis Kelce's first TD of year? On #NationalTightEndsDay!

📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uOQ8BVlAiK

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

DeAndre Hopkins gives Chiefs fans a small sample

Following Wednesday’s trade, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ debut with the Chiefs was about as good as he or the team could’ve hoped for against the Raiders. Hopkins was featured early in the Chiefs’ game plan. He made an impressive leaping catch on the game’s opening third down for a 13-yard catch, the Chiefs’ drive ending in a touchdown. Hopkins finished with two receptions for 29 yards, his second catch a 16-yard completion that showed how strong his connection with Mahomes can be for the remainder of the season.

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Most observers at Allegiant Stadium could also tell that Hopkins’ presence was quite a benefit for tight end Travis Kelce. Coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy used several plays to get Kelce the ball, whether behind the line of scrimmage, on the perimeter or through his usual routes into the intermediate area of the field.

It took seven games, but Kelce recorded his first touchdown of the season. The Chiefs finished their drive in the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kelce, who was open in the middle of the end zone. The first player to celebrate with Kelce was Hopkins. — Taylor

Raiders’ desire to establish the run backfired

The Raiders got married to the idea of getting the run going and wound up running into a brick wall on three straight plays at the end of the third quarter. Moehrig’s interception gave them the ball at the 3, but three straight handoffs to Alexander Mattison resulted in no yards gained and Gardner Minshew was then sacked on fourth-and-goal.

The Raiders’ defense deserved better before running out of gas, just like in the previous four losses since they were 2-2. Overall, Las Vegas mustered only 33 rushing yards on 21 attempts, a measly 1.6 yards per carry. The team’s longest run of the day spanned 7 yards. — Tafur

Required reading

  • NFL playoff projections 2024: The Athletic’s model predicts the field
  • NFL Week 8 scores and live updates: News, inactives, predictions, odds, schedule, channels
  • Tom Brady’s Raiders to-do list: Help find a QB, recruit free agents, watch and learn
  • After trade, DeAndre Hopkins ready to use ‘massive’ hands to uplift Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs offense

(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

Chiefs’ defense clamps down, Mahomes makes history in win over Raiders: Key takeaways (2025)

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