Raiders/Chiefs Black Friday Recap

    Written by: William Petersen •

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    If you did not get enough football after watching three Thanksgiving Day games then you were in luck on Black Friday as the Las Vegas Raiders traveled to Arrowhead Stadium for a AFC West matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Las Vegas came into Week 13 with only two wins in a season that has been nothing short of tough for Raiders fans who I’m sure are now hoping to just get a top three NFL Draft pick next April. Aidan O’Connell got the start for the Raiders after Gardner Minshew broke his collarbone last week in a loss to the Denver Broncos. O’Connell did beat the Raiders last year on Christmas Day in a shocking upset but not many had the Raiders winning this game given sportsbooks listed them as a 13 point underdog. This game was honestly somewhat of a snoozer compared to the slate on Thanksgiving Day until about five lefts in the game when it seems like the Chiefs continue to get bailed out, at least this season. The Raiders were on the move, getting close to field goal range when Aidan O’Connell fumbled a wild snap that the center seemed to just snap on his own accord, thus icing the game after the Chiefs recovered. Kansas City would end up sneaking their way out of another one-possession game with the win, 19-17. Kansas City now has 14 straight wins in one-possession games, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.

    The Las Vegas Raiders continue to get in their own way this entire season and now move to 2-10 in what should begin to solidify their top-five draft position for the 2025 NFL Draft. Las Vegas ended up finding their stride offensively in the second half but Aidan O’Connell throwing for 340 yards and two touchdown passes was not enough to overcome the Chiefs on Black Friday. O’Connell found rookie tight end Brock Bowers ten times for 140 yards receiving and a touchdown, further pushing Brock Bowers to be in the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Bowers now has 84 receptions for 884 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. The Raider put up 434 total yards of offense compared to the Chiefs 329 but could not find a way to get into field goal range to take a late one-point lead, exemplifying the type of season this Raiders squad has had. Daniel Carlson had an opportunity to hit a go-ahead 58-yard field goal with just over two minutes left but took a divot out of the turf before making contact with the football and botched a key moment for Las Vegas to walk away with a win.  The Raiders will be lucky to win one or two more games this season due to their instability at quarterback and overall skill at most positions but Bowers is a sure thing tight end that can only get better if the Raiders can draft a quality quarterback in April.

    The Kansas City Chiefs now move to 11-1 after narrowly escaping with another one-possession win. Patrick Mahomes finished with 306 yards on 24/26 passing with a touchdown pass in a win where Mahomes continues to not play incredible football but enough to put his team in winning positions. Travis Kelce looked like his old self with seven receptions for 68 yards, tearing up the Raiders linebackers and secondary in the middle of the field all afternoon. Isaiah Pacheco returned after being on injured reserve and suited up for the first time since Week 2 after breaking his fibula. Pacheco seemed to be somewhat eased back into the offense but led the Chiefs in rushing with seven rushes for 44 yards. DeAndre Hopkins led the Chiefs in receiving with four catches for 90 yards and continues to be a vital downfield weapon for Kansas City as they continue to pursue their third-straight Super Bowl. It is hard to believe Kansas City can sustain this “lucky” streak of coming out on the right side of one-possession games but until someone beats them it seems inevitable. With this win on Black Friday, the Chiefs have now clinched a playoff berth and should easily finish the season as the number one seed in the AFC. Do not be surprised to see the Chiefs get to their third-straight Super Bowl as this veteran team just can't stop winning.

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