Chiefs vs Raiders: Handing out game balls from Week 8's rivalry game

Another week, another win, and the Kansas City Chiefs are officially 7-0 after their second divisional game this season. Their 27-20 victory over their AFC West rivals in Las Vegas felt like a true home game for Kansas City, as it has for years, but it was even better due to the performances that some "old heads" showed up to help the Chiefs stay undefeated.

Heading into this week's divisional game, it was apparent that tight end Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes were "declining" and not playing like their usual selves. That seemed to light a fire under both of them in Week 8. However, they weren't the only ones who made their mark on the game, and as such, they weren't the only ones who deserved game balls after such a huge win over the Raiders.

Overall / Offensive Game Ball: Travis Kelce

It was bound to happen eventually, right? Travis Kelce has been quiet for most of the season due to the run game's domination and his ability to open things up for other receivers. But all that went out the window as he continued to get open himself against the Raiders, which allowed him to have his best game of the season.

Kelce led all players in receptions (10) and yards (90) while catching his first touchdown of the season on a four-yard reception right at the two-minute mark of the second quarter.

Kelce silenced his critics by averaging 9 yards per catch and even helped quell the very few Raiders fans inside Allegiant Stadium by converting three third downs, including the touchdown before halftime.

Hopefully, this isn't just a one-off for Kelce and he can produce big plays like he did on Sunday, as he has for most of his career. Even if it's not as pretty as it was today, Kelce playing like this makes the Chiefs just as dangerous as ever as they chase a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Defensive Game Ball: George Karlaftis

George Karlaftis has made his living finding creases in the opponents' offensive lines alongside Chris Jones and Tershawn Wharton. On Sunday, he elevated his game to a higher level with attack-minded plays that provided some of the game's biggest moments.

For starters, in the second quarter, shortly after a tipped pass from Mahomes fell into the hands of Raiders defensive back Tre'von Moehrig, LV had the ball within the Kansas City five-yard line. That was when Karlaftis went to work and helped make the stop on first and second downs before helping force a turnover on downs at the end with impressive goal-line work.

Karlaftis (seen at the bottom of the line) gets great momentum off the edge to force the Raiders down on such a pivotal play in such a pivotal spot.

Not only that, heKarlaftis got to Raiders' QB Gardner Minshew on third and goal midway through the third to force a field goal before the drive that saw Mahomes' only interception of the game.

All-in-all, Karlaftis once again proved he's going to be worth some serious money when his rookie contract is up.

Game Ball #3: Drue Tranquill

Before leaving the game late with an injury late in the fourth quarter, Tranquill was having himself a game with one sack, three tackles for loss, and six total tackles including a big QB hit.

Since coming to Kansas City from the Chargers, Tranquill's proven to be a wily vet who knows where to be no matter what type of offense he's facing. He knew where to be in the fourth quarter as well when he recovered the fumble that eventually set up the Chiefs' final touchdown drive of the game.

And once again Tranquill finished with the highest PFF grade of all Chiefs' defenders with a 90.8, just ahead of Chris Jones (89.8) and Chamarri Conner (78.2)

Honorable Mentions

Nick Bolton, LB

The former Mizzou star once again led the team in tackles (nine) before leaving with an injury late in the game. His presence was felt on both edges and out in the middle of the field with plenty of open-field tackles throughout the game.

Patrick Mahomes, QB

After weeks of being told he was not doing good enough, despite being undefeated, Mahomes finally brought back some of that ol' swagger with a passer rating of 96.6 to go along with 2 touchdowns, 262 yards through the air, and a completion percentage of 71%. Mahomes also added 17 yards on the ground, including a huge 14-yard rip on 3rd-and-12.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR

Not much was expected out of the future Hall of Famer in his first week as a Chief, but starting off the game with a big 13-yard play and constantly being open throughout the game can help all of Chiefs Kingdom breathe a sigh of relief while awaiting the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.