Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks for a receiver against the Las Vegas Raiders in first half action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Nov 26, 2023 (AP News)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) had it all going on through the opening quarter Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs (8-3). They hung onto a 14 point lead through the second quarter of football. The Chiefs got their offense going at 6:38 in the second tying up the game at 14 going into half time. They never looked back beating the Raiders 31-17

Sunday afternoon the Raiders took on the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Raiders came into this game after losing last week to the Miami Dolphins in a close game 20-13. This was a one point game going into the fourth quarter. The Dolphins hit two field goals in the fourth quarter which sealed the game. The Chiefs also lost last week against the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was all Raiders. Las Vegas had the only score in the opening quarter of this game. Aiden O’Connell found Jakobi Meyers at 9:32 for 18 yards and the touchdown giving the Raiders the early 7-0 lead.

The Raiders extended their lead in the second quarter with a second touchdown at 12:41, this one on the ground. Running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 63 yards for the 14-0 lead. Las Vegas had scored 14 unanswered points.

Mid-way through the second quarter there was a real energy reversal. The sleeping giant began to flex it’s muscle. At 6:38 Isiah Pacheco rushed for one yard and the Chiefs first touchdown of the game.

Kansas City scored a second touchdown just seconds before the half to tie up the game at 14. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes found Justin Watson for 3 yards and it was now the Chiefs scoring 14 unanswered points.

The Chiefs scored both of those touchdowns with ease which was troublesome for the Raiders. This offense is lethal when it gets going and the second half of the second quarter was proof of that. The Raiders would have a lot of work to do in the second half. The Kansas City offense had come to life and stopping them would be no small feat.

Kansas City got the ball to start the second half. They scored at 9:15 taking their first lead of the game 21-14. Isiah Pacheco scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, another one yard rush. With a little over two minutes left in the quarter, the Raiders Daniel Carlson kicked a 34 Yd Field Goal. They still had the Chiefs in their sites trailing 21-17 going into the fourth quarter but they had to find a way to stop the offensive surge the Chiefs were bringing.

Kansas City wasted no time as the fourth quarter got underway. At 13:40 they scored their fourth touchdown of the day extending their lead to 28-17. This time Mahomes found Rashee Rice for 39 yards.

The Raiders were helpless trying to stop this power house offense. Las Vegas desperately needed points but they also needed stops which were non-existent since the start of the second half.

With 9:34 left in the game there was still plenty of time but Las Vegas had to tighten up offensively and defensively. They were making things far too easy for the Chiefs. They had to get the Chiefs off the field and they did just that putting some great pressure on Kansas City to get the ball back with 7:29 left in the game. It was crunch time for Las Vegas.

Las Vegas attempted a fourth and one on their own 20 yard line in the fourth quarter and failed, a huge stop for Kansas City. The Chiefs now had the ball on the Las Vegas 20 yard line hungry for another score.

They did not get the touchdown due to numerous penalties but settled for a Harrison Butker 32 yard field goal. The Chiefs now had a 31-17 lead and with 2:30 left on the clock time was running out for the Raiders. Kansas City was on their way to their eighth win of the season and the Raiders season record dropped to 5-7.

The Raiders did not get penalized the entire game nor did they have any turnovers. Las Vegas had more rushing yards than the Chiefs but could not handle the red hot offense of Kansas City particularly their passing game. Aidan O’Connell threw for 248 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions. The Raiders had 123 rushing yards with 110 yards credited to Jacobs.

Next up for Las Vegas will be the Minnesota Vikings on December 10th after their bye week. They will take on the Vikings at Allegiant Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 1:05 PM.