The division on the line, the Chiefs wasted no time to make short work of the Oakland Raiders.
When safety Tyann Mathieu closed in on a pass that was intended for Oakland receiver Darren Waller for the interception, it set off a chain reaction that resulted in a 40-9 route to keep Kansas City in the driver’s seat as the front runners in the AFC West for the fourth consecutive time.
Following a long ten days rest, the Kansas City Chiefs returned to Arrowhead Stadium the healthiest they’ve been all season. Going up against arch-rival Oakland, who’ve been bearing down on the Chiefs for the division lead over the last couple of weeks.
The Raiders have been bearing down on Kansas City for the division lead over the last couple of weeks and Sunday’s matchup had high implications for both teams. The winner would sit atop the AFC West division and in control of their own destiny towards postseason contention while the loser would fight an uphill battle to stay in the hunt for a wildcard spot.
For context, a game between the Chiefs and Raiders hasn’t had this much on the line since the wildcard game in the 1991 playoffs.
Jon Gruden’s team was also looking to rebound off an embarrassing 34-3 loss to the Jets a week earlier but instead experienced more of the same miss fortune against a rested, well-prepared Kansas City unit.
Oakland quarterback Derek Carr looked lost at times, completing 20-of-30 for 222 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, one going for a Kansas City touchdown.
The lone bright spot and only source of offense for Oakland was running back Josh Jacobs, who carried the ball 17 times for 104 yards.
Following the 40-9 victory, Head Coach Andy Reid was pleased with how his team performed at all three phases.
“I’m very proud of our guys,” Reid said. “I thought it was pure team win, all three phases contributed which is important this time of year,” Reid stated.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t have a perfect game, 15-of-29 passes completed for 175 yards, but he did make some more history by throwing his 70th career touchdown in just 27 career games, becoming the fastest quarterback to reach that mark in NFL history.
He also caught the Raiders off guard by scrambling 13 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season to put Kansas City up 14-0 in the second quarter.
Tight end Travis Kelce continued to be a matchup nightmare for the Oakland’s defense, reeling in 5 catches for 90 and receiver Tyreek Hill also made five catches for 55 yards.
On the ground, Kansas City got a pair of scores, a three-yard touchdown by LeSean McCoy in the third and four-yard run by rookie Darwin Thompson for his first career rushing touchdown in the fourth.
Defensively, the Chiefs forced a total of three turnovers and sacked Derek Carr twice.
On the ensuing kickoff following Kansas City’s first score of the game, cornerback Rashad Fenton forces returner Trevor Davis to fumble and linebacker Dorian O’Daniel gets the ball back for Kansas City.
Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon registered five tackles (three solo), a sack and a tackle for a loss.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones also made his presence felt with five tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss.
Safety Juan Thornhill scored a 46-yard defensive touchdown off of Carr’s second interception.
Oakland did manage to get some points. First a 34-yard field goal late in the third quarter and a four-yard touchdown from Derek Carr to tight end Derek Carrier late in the fourth.
The final play of the game was during the PAT attempt following Oakland’s touchdown. Tanoh Kpassagnon blocked the kick and the ball was recovered by cornerback Charvarious Ward, who returned it 80 yards to the endzone for two points to complete the 40-9 obliteration of the Oakland Raiders.
Kansas City now improves to 8-4 and gets ready to travel to New England to face the Patriots in the most important game of the season.
