Another Chiefs game, and another close win. While nothing in this game happened to be pretty, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to improve to 11-1 and clinch a spot in the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
The Chiefs are the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth this season. In this game, they also created a new league record of 14 consecutive victories in one-possession games. While the rest of the season is essential to see where they will begin the playoffs, the Chiefs are officially entering their quest to be the first team to three-peat.
The Ending
It's easier to talk about this game by starting at the end. The entire game could have been smoother and had many great points. In the end, Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell had his team in a great place to win it. However, a bad snap allowed the Chiefs to get the ball back and skate away with another win.
Since the game, many have called this "yet another" controversial call going the Chiefs' way. When linebacker Nick Bolton hopped on the ball, a flag was thrown on the field. Looking at the sidelines, the officials looked like they were going to call a false start, which would, in turn, blow the play dead. After a sideline meeting, they instead called an illegal shift, and the play stood.
This marked another game in which the Chiefs were met with controversy, as well as another game in which they were able to win by the slimmest margin. As the season goes on, there surely will be more games that end just like this for the Chiefs.
Getting It Done With Concerns
In previous games, it became clear that the Chiefs defense was getting worn out. In this game, they started strong, only allowing 3 points in the first half. At the end of the third quarter, something switched with the defense, and the Raiders scored 17 points. Those 17 points included a 33-yard touchdown to Brock Bowers, and a 58-yard touchdown to Tre Tucker.
While the Chiefs' defense was the reason they were winning games at the beginning of the season, it's the reason the team finds itself fighting at the end of games now. Against the Panthers, they gave up 27 points, and against the Bills, 30 points.
While plenty of time exists before the playoffs begin, the defense is gathering some concern. If it weren't for that snap at the end, the Chiefs would have found themselves at 10-2, losing to a team at the bottom of the standings. On the defensive front, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs to tighten up this unit before the playoffs if they want to be a formidable opponent to the big teams.
Returns
This game marked the return of running back Isiah Pacheco. This was Pacheco's first game since suffering a broken leg in week 2.
With the return of Pacheco, there was inevitably going to be a lessening of snaps for Kareem Hunt. However, in this game, there was not enough meshing going on between the two running backs. Both Pacheco and Hunt had seven carries each, but Hunt's long was only four yards. With Hunt's productivity shown throughout the past few weeks, the coaches need to find a better way to fit both players in.
DE Charles Omenihu also returned to the defense after tearing his ACL in the AFC championship game. He only had one tackle, but it was refreshing to see players return to the lineup and get healthy before the playoffs.
Sacks (x5)
During this game against the Raiders, Patrick Mahomes was sacked five times. This marked the second game in a row where he was sacked five times, bringing his total on the year to 32. The most times Mahomes was sacked in a season was 28 in 2021, and the Chiefs have surpassed that with five more games to go.
Even with some of the other issues that the team has faced so far this season, it's clear that this is the most impactful. The offensive line has struggled since the first game, when Kingsley Suamataia had to be benched. Now, Wanya Morris is being benched, and Joe Thuney is moving out of position to better fit the team.
While there might not be too many issues on the offensive line or with Mahomes in the short term, this isn't exactly the best solution long term. Forcing an All-Pro left guard to move to tackle might've stopped the bleeding at that time, but there might be some hiccups in the future. But at the end of the day, he probably can't do much worse than what Suamataia and Morris were doing.
Up Next: Los Angeles Chargers
Next Sunday, the Chiefs will host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. After these last two games, it's fair to wonder if the Chiefs can handle the Chargers. Both teams have been playing similarly lately, which could provide a great Sunday Night matchup.
Final Score: Chiefs 19, Raiders 17
Jones' Three Stars
1st Star - Patrick Mahomes
26/46, 306 yards, 1 TD
2nd Star - DeAndre Hopkins
4 receptions, 90 yards
3rd Star - Justin Watson
1 reception, 6 yards, 1 TD
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