Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is stopped by the Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) in second half action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Oct 27, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Michael Roberson
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) lost their fourth consecutive game of the season to the back-to-back Super Bowl champion and STILL undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (7-0), 27-20, on a Sunday afternoon in the Desert.
The Raiders won the coin toss, but decided to defer to the second half, and give the first opportunity to the well decorated Patrick Mahomes and his Chiefs offense. They regretted that immediately, as Kansas City obliged the gift and went directly downfield and scored the games first points.
Chiefs’ running back Kareem Hunt burst through the line for a one yard TD run, putting his team up 7-0. It seemed to be the beginning of a blowout; however, the home team had an answer for that rhetorical question. The Raiders were intent this evening to score on their first drive.
Late in the first quarter, Raiders’ QB Gardner Minshew tossed a seven yard touchdown pass to WR Jakobi Myers. That quickly, the game was tied at seven. It was also the tally at the end of the quarter. The Raiders demonstrated that they wanted more in the second.
Kicker Daniel Carlson pet his team up by three after he booted a 51-yard field goal. The Raiders were up 10-7, and scored on their first two possessions. Momentum was on Las Vegas’ side early in the second quarter, but Kansas City had the nuclear weapon on the other sideline.
Just under the two-minute warning of the half, Patrick Mahomes went into his bag and pulled off another scoring drive. He hooked up with his favorite target, Travis Kelce for a five yard touchdown pass. Seconds before recess, Harrison Butker Converted a 42-yard field goal, which put KC up by seven, 17-10.
Mahomes threw for nearly 200 yards in the first half, and a touchdown, while Minshew also had a TD and just over 100 yards passing. The Raiders were down seven, but going to receive the ball to start the second half.
Although they did not score on their first possession of the third quarter, they were the first team to put points on the scoreboard. Carlson kicked a 32-yards to bring the Raiders within four, 17-13. The Raiders had a chance to take over the score and game during the 3/4 mark of the contest; however, that did not come to fruition.
Mahomes was backed up against his own goal line, and committed a very uncharacteristic turnover, putting his team in potential peril, and the Raiders in a very advantageous situation. The Chiefs’ defense came to the rescue for their noble leader, and completely stifled the Raiders’ offense and lessened their chances to win. Las Vegas took a sack on forth and Goal, turning the ball back over to the visitors, while letting Mahomes off the hook for his egregious interception.
With that reprieve, Kansas City scored early in the fourth quarter, on another Butker field goal (24), putting them farther in the lead by seven, 20-13. After a Gardner Minshew fumble/turnover midway through the final quarter, the Chiefs capitalized on their miscue three minutes later. Mahomes connected with WR Xavier Worthy for a nine yard TD pass, KC went up by two touchdowns, 27-13.
Before the Chiefs could get comfortable with the double-digit lead, the Raiders managed to score right before the two-minute warning. Minshew hit WR Tre Tucker in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. Back within seven, 27-20, all the Raiders could do was try to perform an on-side kick. They did try, but luck was not on their side. The Chiefs took the obligatory “knee” and the clock clicked down to 0:00. After 60 minutes of play, KC was victorious 27-20 over LV.
Kansa City remains the only unbeaten (7-0) team after the somewhat impressive win in Nevada. The Chiefs could win a threepeat and go undefeated in the same season. However, it may not be that likely, especially barely winning against a team in the midst of a losing streak.
The Raiders are next in action Sunday, November 3 in Ohio, as they will face the Cincinnati Bengals at 1pm EST/10am PST. The Chiefs fly back to Missouri and host Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, November 4 at 7:15pm CST on ABC/ESPN.
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