Kansas City Chiefs hold off Oakland Raiders in AFC West showdown

The Kansas City Chiefs have now won 20 of their last 21 AFC West tilts after defeating the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs played their first game without running back Kareem Hunt on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, only two days after he was released by the organization on Friday. Despite a porous defensive effort and plenty of penalties, the Chiefs were able to walk away with a 40-33 road win over Oakland.

The Chiefs got the ball first and turned the ball over when Travis Kelce fumbled after he made a great catch. They started the scoring at the 12-minute mark in the first on a quick two play 62-yard drive that shaved off all of 52 seconds. Travis Kelce hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to put the Chiefs up 7-0 following the point after attempt.

Harrison Butker came back out at the seven-minute mark and nailed a 29-yard field goal. With one minute left before the break, the Raiders put points on the board for the first time this afternoon as Doug Martin ran it in from a yard out. Quickly the Chiefs went 82 yards in less than a minute, ending with Travis Kelce grabbing his second touchdown of the day and giving the Chiefs a 19-7 lead heading into halftime after Butker had his point after attempt blocked.

Daniel Carlson started the second half scoring by banging home a 50-yard field goal. On the second longest drive of the day for Kansas City, the Chiefs marched down the field in over five minutes for 75 yards and on fourth and goal, Kareem Hunt’s replacement Spencer Ware barreled into the end zone.  The Raiders responded with a Jared Cook wide open touchdown, a 24-yard strike from Derek Carr to pull the Raiders within ten after a failed two-point conversion.

Patrick Mahomes had one of the most jaw-dropping throws of his young career at the end of the third quarter. He dropped back and rifled a pass into the tightest window you will see for a 13-yard touchdown to Demetrius Harris.

Down 33-16, the Raiders started the fourth quarter with two quick scores. Derek Carr found Lee Smith who was all alone in the end zone. With 6 minutes to play in the game, the Raiders got into the end zone again when Marcell Ateman hauled in a touchdown on a fade route.

Clinging to a three-point lead, the Chiefs offense got into the end zone on a ten play 75-yard drive that ate up almost five minutes. Patrick Mahomes found Chris Conley to post 40 points on the Oakland Raiders. With 34 seconds left down ten, the Raiders knocked through a 44-yard field goal to pull within seven with two timeouts in their pocket. The ensuing onside kick was nearly recovered by the Raiders, but Chris Conley fielded the bouncing football and the Chiefs were able to hold on for their 10th win of the year.

Up next for the Kansas City Chiefs, they return home to take on the Baltimore Ravens, who are currently 7-5 after knocking off the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. As for the lowly Raiders, they welcome in the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.