The Chiefs clinched the No.1 seed in the AFC after beating the Raiders 31-13
Kansas City Chiefs #15 Patrick Mahomes (QB) throwing a touchdown pass # 1 Jerick McKinnon (RB). Photo by Omer Khan.
LAS VEGAS, NV - The Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) clinched the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC by beating their rival, the Las Vegas Raiders (6-11), at Allegiant Stadium 31-13.
Jarrett Stidham completed 22 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Josh Jacobs, the NFL's leading rusher, was held to 45 yards on 17 carries. Davante Adams had five catches for 73 yards.
Jacobs had to deal with his father having a medical emergency last week and was encouraged by his father to play on Saturday. Players in the NFL know that before football family always comes first.
"It just put it into perspective how precious life is, in general," Jacobs said, visibly emotional. "I think we get caught up, especially in this sport, with the outcomes of things. With wins, with losses, how good you played. You kind of forget that life is more important. For me, man, that's all I'm caring about right now."
Patrick Mahomes completed 18 of 26 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. Isiah Pacheco led Kansas City in receptions with eighth catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Mahomes and the Chiefs offense had second down, and five threw a 67-yard pass to Justin Watson to the Raiders' three-yard line.
Kansas City would lead 7-0 after Mahomes did a shovel pass to his running back Jerick McKinnon for a 2-yard touchdown and the extra-point kick by Harrison Butker was good.
Las Vegas Raiders #28 Josh Jacobs (RB) was held to 45-yards by the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense. Photo by Omer Khan.
The Raiders trail 7-3 after Daniel Carlson kicked a 54-yard field goal with 7:15 left in the first quarter. The Chiefs got the first turnover of the game when their safety Juan Thornhill intercepted Jarrett Stidham's pass intended for Mack Hollins.
Ronald Jones' 2-yard touchdown gave the Chiefs a 14-3 lead in the second quarter. The Raiders were in the red zone with fourth and goal at the Chiefs' 2-yard line but couldn't get in the endzone. Kansas City led 21-3 when Kadarius Toney scored on an 11-yard touchdown run.
The Chiefs, with nine seconds left in the game, recovered a fumble by Stidham at the Raiders' 34-yard line, and a few plays later, Butker kicked a 44-yard field goal to make the score 24-3.
The Raiders trail 24-6 in the third quarter with a 38-yard field goal by Carlson. Isaiah Pacheco gave the Chiefs a first and goal and the Raiders' 2-yard line after his 31-yard scamper downfield in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City increased their lead to 31-6 after a 1-yard touchdown run by Pacheco with 11:03 left in the game.
The Raiders would trail 31-13 when Stidham threw an 11-yard touchdown to Hunter Renfrow with 6:37 left in the game. Kansas City would go on to win the game and have two weeks off before their next game in the AFC Playoffs.