The Raiders’ week started off weird. Then strange in the middle. So, of course, the ending is strange. This game had it all— game-changing penalties, turnovers, fake punts, and controversial end plays. Personnel decisions and short-yardage play calls were fascinating, and the momentum quickly shifted in Las Vegas.
The unexpected is to be expected in these division rivalry games. Scores are always close, and results can be conflicting.
Here are some Kansas City Chiefs standouts in a back-and-forth, too-close-for-comfort win over the Las Vegas Raiders:
Defensive end George Karlaftis: The Chiefs didn’t officially log a quarterback sack on Sunday — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t chasing Kirk Cousins. Karlaftis played like a man owned in the second half, finishing with 6 QB hits, a batted pass, and a big tackle for loss. He also had a sack before the two-minute warning, but it was erased by a L’Jarius Sneed holding penalty.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Mahomes had a good afternoon (two sacks and eight hits), but fired up. He completed a nice deep ball to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, setting up an easy TD to Thornton. He also extended a drive by running into a linebacker on the sideline. Mahomes has thrived in this newly balanced offense.
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton: The heartbreaking finish doesn’t take away from what Tyquan Thornton accomplished this week. After the injury to Rashee Rice, Thornton had a career game—five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns—all in big situations. I’m not sure the Chiefs would have stayed undefeated without Thornton.
Cornerback Mansoor Delane: The child will be a star. Delane remains tough in coverage, and even tougher as a tackler. He blew off a screen, then covered tight end Brock Bowers on consecutive plays in the first half. Mansoor finished with ten total tackles and quickly gained respect throughout the league.
Punter Matt Araiza: It’s not often a punter makes this list. But Matt Araiza was a serious factor in Las Vegas on Sunday. He converted a first down on a fake punt, and pinned the Raiders inside the 20 on all five of his kicks. The “Punt God” leads the NFL in gross and net yardage and would lead the NFL in yards per rush (12) if he had more opportunities.
Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah: Sure enough, Felix had a roughing-the-passer call that helped extend the Raiders’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive. But he also had some big pressures and hits, including a tackle for a loss. FAU thrives on a solid rotational defensive end.
Running back Kenneth Walker III: The best free agent acquisition in the NFL has been a complete and total game changer for this offense. Yes, he got stopped on some bad short-yardage runs — but he also broke free for the league’s longest run of the season so far (76 yards). When it was time to put the game away, K9 helped close things out with two touchdowns in 20 seconds.
Linebacker Drew Tranquil: This has been a weakness for the Chiefs, but Tranquill really showed up against the Raiders. He was a force against the run (2 TFLs) and the pass (a PBU and a QB hit).
Linebacker Nick Bolton: The Raiders’ first scoring drive featured two pass plays that lost No. 32 in space, including a TD on blown coverage. Yes, Bolton made plays in the run game as usual, but teams seem to target these linebackers when they try to cover tight ends. The Raiders had tremendous success (16 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns) with three of them (Bowers, Mayer, and Thomas). It’s not just Bolton (we can give disrespectful mentions to Jack Cochrane, Jaden Hicks, Chamarri Conner, and Alohi Gilman, among others)
Cornerback Nohl Williams: Growing pains are to be expected for a second-year cornerback, even one who has played as well as Nohl. On Sunday afternoon, his costly penalty helped put two FGs on the board for the Raiders. This is likely just a bump in the road— from what we’ve seen from Williams, he’s been someone the team has looked up to all season.
Offensive linemen Jaylon Moore and Mike Caliendo: In the odd decision of the day, Andy Reid benched a solid (and improving) defensive end in front of Patrick Mahomes. Without their starting left guard, the staff leaned on Caliendo— and the results weren’t good. Moore hasn’t been much better on the right side—our hope is that the team can reshuffle the deck in their bye week.
Note: Applying the label “losers” is not meant as a judgment on the talent or character of any of these individuals. It’s just a way to grade their performance in a game. No disrespect is meant.