The rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders is one of the more hated rivalries in all of the NFL. This Sunday, the two teams will write a new chapter in their storied history. Kansas City travels to Las Vegas with one goal in mind. For the Chiefs, it's about earning another win to remain undefeated at 7-0. But for one specific player, there is likely to be some bulletin board material that could give them an extra chip on their shoulder for this particular matchup.
This would not be the first time the Raiders have provided bulletin board material and extra motivation for the Chiefs. Under Jon Gruden, the Raiders took a well-documented victory lap on their bus around Arrowhead Stadium after winning in Kansas City one year. In another trip to KC, Las Vegas stood on the Chiefs' midfield logo before the start of a late-season meeting. From start to finish on that day, Kansas City promptly took the beating to the Raiders in a blowout win.
Since the last matchup, what have the Raiders done to give the Chiefs some added motivation entering Sunday? It may not have been wise to toy with this particular Kansas City player.
Another Mahomes-Kermit Joke
Since entering the NFL, much has been made about the sound of Patrick Mahomes' voice. It has been compared to being very similar to that of Kermit the Frog of the Muppets. While certain Chiefs teammates have had some fun with it at times, it has been rare for a division rival to turn it into a headline. However, the Raiders went viral this past summer during a day at training camp.
One fan brought a Kermit the Frog puppet to the training camp practice. Not only was the frog wearing a Mahomes jersey, but there was even a wig matching the hairstyle of the Chiefs quarterback as well. Raiders players were mocking Mahomes by taking the puppet and mimicking his distinct voice.
When asked about it at their own training camp, Mahomes responded, "it'll get handled when it gets handled." Those comments have to be music not only to the ears of Chiefs fans. But in general, Mahomes' Kansas City teammates and even Andy Reid have never shied away from remembering what rivals have put out there. It has led to some convincing starts and performances from Reid's squads. Another chance after a rival's potential mistake awaits on Sunday.
A Disappointing Christmas
Simply put, the Raiders ruined Christmas last year for all of Chiefs Kingdom. It was a day when the KC offense could not get anything going. Turnovers gifted Las Vegas instant points. Aidan O'Connell did not even complete many passes total. Yet in the end, the Chiefs were handed as disappointing a loss as they could have received last Christmas. It just hurt more than it was to the Raiders in Arrowhead.
In some ways, Kansas City was thankful for that beatdown. The Chiefs learned to simplify some things offensively and adjusted for the playoff run. If not for that loss to the Raiders, KC may not have gone down as back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But even though last year's goal of earning another trophy was ultimately reached, the Chiefs could surely look to make the Raiders pay for that showing from last December.