The Mastery of Patrick Mahomes Delivered a Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 Victory over the Las Vegas Raiders

                                              Las Vegas Raiders #15 Gardner Minshew II (QB) handing the football off to #3 Zamir White (RB).                                                                                                                                                                Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

LAS VEGAS, NV - The professional gaming aficionados predicted a 10-point road victory for the Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6). The Chiefs’ fans were the loudest and flooded the stadium with red jerseys. 

The Raiders defense entered the contest ranked 2nd in the NFL on 3rd down stops, largely in part to Pro-Bowl Defensive End Maxx Crosby and 2 Defensive Backs (Nate Hobbs and Jakorian Bennet) who rank in the top 10 in the NFL this season for the lowest completion percentage allowed.  When the crucial plays were needed to be made, Kansas City Quarterback Patrick Mahomes delivered and guided his team to a 27-13 win over the Raiders.

The Chiefs took the initial drive 70 yards in 9 plays that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Kareem Hunt.  However, the Silver and Black responded with their own 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive where wideout Jakobi Myers snagged a 7-yard touchdown in the back of the endzone.

 Raiders Quarterback Gardner Minshew showed the moxie needed to battle Patrick Mahomes.  Minshew completed passes to the Raiders tight end Brock Bowers who was ranked the #1 tight end in the NFL in receptions, catches, yards after the catch, and receiving first downs.   The first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie.

The Raiders opened the 2nd quarter with a methodical 10-play drive for 51 yards.  Bowers extended the drive with critical 3rd down conversions.  However, the Chiefs' run defense stiffened and forced the Raiders into a 54-yard field goal by Daniel Carson.  The Raiders led 10-7 with 10 minutes left in the 1st half.  

The mastery of Mahomes was on full display in the following drive.  He eluded defenders, extended plays with his scrambling, and completed passes to his receivers on 3rd down.  With 2 minutes left in the half, the tension in the building mounted.  On 3rd and goal from the Raiders 5-yard line, Mahomes completed a touchdown pass to their star tight end Travis Kelce.

  Kelce had been working in the middle of the field all day.  He ended the game with 10 receptions, 90 yards, and 1 touchdown.  The Chiefs added a 42-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the quarter to take a 17-10 lead into halftime.  

Early in the 3rd quarter and after a booming 61-yard punt by Raiders pro-bowler AJ Cole, Kansas City started the drive on their 8-yard line.  The Black Hole came alive and forced a punt after 3 plays.  The Chiefs were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the punt return and the Raiders started the drive on the Chiefs' 28-yard line.  The Raiders acquired a 1st down on the 4-yard line. 

However, the Raiders committed multiple penalties and killed their momentum.  The Chiefs' defense stiffened and forced a 32-yard field goal, which made the score 17-13 in favor of the Chiefs.   

On the next possession, the Raiders' defense ramped up the pressure in the Black hole and caused 2 consecutive holding penalties.  Mahomes next pass was tipped and intercepted by Tre’von Moehring who returned the ball to the 3-yard line.  The Raiders were stuffed on 3 consecutive runs.  Instead of kicking the field goal on 4th down, which would have made it 17-16, Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce made another questionable decision and went for it on 4th down. 

Minshew was sacked and the Raiders still trailed 17-13.  After the sack, the Raiders lost the support of their home fans and the momentum shifted in favor of Kansas City.  When asked about the play calling and why the decision was made to run the ball 3 consecutive times, Coach Pierce stated, “with the ball on the 3-yard line, you have to punch it in… I’m not going to get into play calling, we were competitive, and overall we have to get better.”

In the 4th quarter, Mahomes continued to scramble on 3rd down to extend the drives.  KC Head Coach Andy Reid ran the ball more to work the play clock.  The refs gifted Mahomes a roughing the passer penalty and the Chiefs were in business on the Raiders' 7-yard line.  The Raiders defense proved formidable and forced a 24-yard field goal.  The Chiefs now led 20-13.

With 8 minutes left and the game hanging in the balance, Minshew fumbled while being sacked and gifted the ball to Kansas City on the 38-yard line.  On the next drive, Mahomes completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Worthy to take a 27-13 lead. 

Minshew responded with a 2:56 scoring drive that went 70 yards.  With 2:03 left in the game, Minshew delivered an 11-yard touchdown to Tre Tucker to make the score 27-20.  Kansas City recovered the onside kick.  The Raiders had no timeouts left.  The Chiefs took a knee and ran out the game clock.

In each game this season, Minshew has committed untimely turnovers that were too burdensome for the Raiders to overcome.  In all fairness, Minshew finished 24-30, 209 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 fumble, and a passer rating of 117. 

Mahomes finished 27-38, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a passer rating of 96.  What the numbers fail to tell is that Minshew has not handled the pressure of the blitz and secured the football when the game is on the line.  The Raiders need to answer some questions.  Do you have a quarterback that can protect the ball?  Why did you fail to throw the ball to Brock Bowers for over 25 minutes of play?  How do you get the team on track?  Maybe the Raiders can answer those questions next week against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5).