The Kansas City Chiefs are finding strange ways to win this season. Friday was the weirdest way of all.
The Las Vegas Raiders were within field goal range with less than 20 seconds left, and they were trying to get closer. Rookie center Jackson Powers-Johnson then snapped at quarterback Aidan O’Connell in shotgun before he could finish, and it hit him in the chest. The Chiefs fell on the ball and after a long discussion between the officials, they ruled that the Chiefs had recovered the fumble. Game over. Chiefs win 19-17.
Kansas City is doing just enough to get by, and they seem to find a way to win close games against inferior teams every week. Amazingly, that was good enough for an 11-1 record. The Chiefs once again looked unimpressive on Friday, but as usual, they found a way to win. This time it stopped the Las Vegas Raiders, who are now 2-10.
The Chiefs are now the first team this season to clinch a playoff spot, but their problems are legitimate. Their offensive tackles are struggling. The talent at the offensive skill positions is good, but doesn’t have much explosive speed outside of Xavier Worthy, an unreliable rookie. The defense was good this season, but less than last season.
And despite all that, the Chiefs are 11-1. And as we all learned last season, when the January games matter most, the Chiefs’ problems seem to disappear once the postseason starts and they’re headed to another Super Bowl. But they shouldn’t barely beat teams like the Raiders.
Chiefs are struggling early
Early on, the game seemed to be up for grabs for the Raiders. They just kept throwing away opportunities.
The Raiders could move the ball well enough, but couldn’t do enough on the Chiefs side of the field. Daniel Carlson missed two long field goals. The Raiders, one of the worst-performing teams in the NFL for many years, also got stuffed on a fourth-and-1 handoff at the Chiefs’ 31.
Late in the third quarter, just before O’Connell took a 15-yard sack that led to Carlson missing another field goal, the Raiders outgained the Chiefs. And they were down 13-3.
Finally, the Raiders made a move. Ameer Abdullah had a long kickoff return and then electric rookie tight end Brock Bowers had a great touchdown grab from 33 yards out. The Raiders trailed 16-10.
Once again, the back-to-back champion Chiefs played a closer game than anyone expected against one of the worst teams in the NFL. Then things got serious as the Raiders took a fourth-quarter lead.
Raiders played a big game
On the first play of the fourth quarter, O’Connell threw deep down the left sideline. Tre Tucker got behind the Chiefs secondary and caught a 58-yard touchdown that gave the Raiders a lead and shocked everyone.
At that point, eight seconds into the fourth quarter, the Raiders had defeated the Chiefs. At Arrowhead Stadium. With O’Connell returning from injury and playing his first game in more than a month.
The Chiefs put together a drive into Raiders territory, but that stopped when both tackles were beaten on a third-and-goal play and Kansas City settled for a field goal and a 19-17 lead. Mahomes was visibly upset after that play, and on the next series, guard Joe Thuney replaced Wanya Morris at left tackle. That’s a situation the Chiefs need to figure out before the playoffs.
The Raiders had a chance to take a late lead. In the final minutes they entered the Chief’s territory. But with 2:17 left, without a decent option on fourth-and-11, Carlson attempted a 58-yard field goal and fell well short for his third miss of the day. Carlson was one of the best kickers in the NFL during his career, but the Chiefs caught him on what might be his worst day as a pro.
And because the Chiefs couldn’t put the game away, the Raiders got another chance. Bowers had a huge 25-yard catch up the middle to get the Raiders close to field goal range, then Jakobi Meyers and Ameer Abdullah made catches to bring Las Vegas even closer. But the Raiders botched the shotgun snap, the Chiefs fell on it and the game was over.
The play call came in late, and as the play clock wound down, O’Connell started clapping almost as soon as the huddle broke loose, ensuring the snap would happen quickly. The left guard tagged Powers-Johnson, who bit him before O’Connell could finish. It bounced off him and the Chiefs fell on it to end the game.
The Chiefs haven’t played well for most of the season. But their record is still somehow almost pristine.
LIVE DECLARATION IS OVER37 updates
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Chiefs clinch play-off spot
With the win and improving to an 11-1 record, the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot.
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Latest statistics
Raiders: 434 yards of offense
Aidan O’Connell 340 yards, 2 TDs, 23 of 35 passing
Brock Bowers 10 catches, 140 yards, 1 TD
Jakobi Meyers 6 catches, 97 yards
Sincere McCormick 12 rushes, 64 yards
Chiefs: 329 yards of offense
Patrick Mahomes 306 yards, 1 TD, 26 of 46 passing
* Mahomes was sacked 5 times
DeAndre Hopkins 4 catches, 90 yards
Travis Kelce 7 catches, 68 yards
Isiah Pacheco 7 carries, 44 yards
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FINAL: Chiefs 19, Raiders 17
The Raiders literally click the ball away and the Chiefs escape with a 19-17 victory. Las Vegas wasn’t in a great position and there were no more timeouts, but that didn’t necessarily affect the bad snap. However, did Jackson Powers-Johnson rush his shot because of the clock?
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Raiders click and turn it over
Jackson Powers-Johnson snaps the ball before Aidan O’Connell is ready and the ball bounces off his chest. Nick Bolton recovers the fumble for the Chiefs and that’s the dagger.
A terrible ending for the Raiders.
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Raiders reach Chiefs 25 yard line
Brock Bowers strikes again, catching a 25-yard pass from Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders followed with an 11-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers.
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Raiders force Chiefs to punt
Patrick Mahomes throws incomplete on a deep ball to Xavier Worthy on 3rd and 2. Chiefs elect to punt from the Raiders’ 44-yard line.
Las Vegas takes over at the 8-yard line with 1:56 left and no timeouts.
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Carlson hits the grass in front of the ball
Replay showed that Daniel Carlson’s right foot slid across the turf before hitting the ball, which is likely why his field goal attempt failed.
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Raiders stall at the 40-yard line and miss the field goal
Justin Reid bats down a pass from Aidan O’Connell on 3rd and 11. Raiders then opt for a 58-yard attempt from Daniel Carlson, but his kick deflects to the left and is short.
Chiefs take over at their 48 with 2:21 left.
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Brock Bowers over 100 yards receiving
A four-metre catch by Brock Bowers takes him over the 100-metre mark. He has eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
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3-and-out for Kansas City
The Raiders defensive end, Kansas City, punts and tackles Samaje Perine three yards short of a first down on 3rd and 8.
Matt Araiza’s punt goes 55 yards and Ameer Abdullah gets a return of 19 yards. Las Vegas takes over at the 32 yard line with 5:15 left.
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Chiefs blitz forces quick incompletion by Aidan O’Connell
The Raiders are forced to punt after Aidan O’Connell has to throw the ball away quickly following a Kansas City attack up the middle.
AJ Cole’s 55-yard kick pushes the Chiefs back to their 17-yard line with 6:46 left in the fourth quarter.
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Mahomes sacked, Chiefs have to settle for a field goal
Wanya Morris lets K’Lavon Chaisson breeze past him and he sacks Patrick Mahomes for a nine-yard loss on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
Chiefs have to settle for a field goal, but that gives them the lead at 19-17 with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter.
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Chefs on the move
Pass interference on the Raiders’ Decamerion Richardson gives the Chiefs a 26-yard gain at the Las Vegas 30-yard line.
Patrick Mahomes follows with a 15-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins and Kansas City is on the move.
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TOUCHDOWN: Raiders 17, Chiefs 16
So the Raiders are at the top. After the Chiefs go 3-and-out, Las Vegas turns around and scores a TD in two plays.
Aidan O’Connell connects with Tre Tucker who shoots down the left sideline for a 58-yard score to tie the game. The Raiders take a one-point lead on the extra point.
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TOUCHDOWN: Leaders 16, Raiders 10
The Raiders finally break through with a touchdown. Aidan O’Connell finds Brock Bowers for a 33-yard score, and Las Vegas is within six after the extra point.
That followed a 35-yard field goal by the Chiefs on the previous possession.
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Mahomes to Hopkins for 31 yards
Kansas City may be willing to make the Raiders pay for not getting points. Patrick Mahomes connects with DeAndre Hopkins for a 31-yard gain to advance to the Las Vegas 24-yard line.
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Raiders threaten, but don’t score
A promising drive for the Raiders ends with Daniel Carlson kicking a 55-yard field goal attempt wide left. Las Vegas gets no points for the effort.
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Brock Bowers continues his great season
Aidan O’Connell hits rookie tight end Brock Bowers for a 29-yard gain and the Raiders move toward the red zone.
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Field goal: Chiefs 13, Raiders 3
The Chiefs can’t end their drive with a TD and settle for a field goal. But Matthew Wright’s 42-yard attempt is good and Kansas City has a 10-point lead.
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Here comes Isiah Pacheco
Kansas City quickly makes the Raiders regret that fourth down decision. Isiah Pacheco makes a 34-yard run up the middle to the Las Vegas 14-yard line.
