Las Vegas Raiders score 40pts, hand Kansas City Chiefs first loss
The Las Vegas Raiders offense dropped 40 points and Derek Carr got his first win at Arrowhead Stadium in the 40-32 victory of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Penalties were the theme of the first quarter and no surprise: they came at the expense of the Las Vegas Raiders. After forcing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense to a three-and-out on the first drive, Derek Carr took the Raiders offense downfield. A stellar throw by Carr and highlight-worthy catch by Henry Ruggs put Las Vegas in the red zone, but back-to-back penalties forced the Raiders to settle for a field goal.
Right on cue, Patrick Mahomes took the Chiefs right back into Raiders’ territory, capping his second drive with a touchdown run, putting Kansas City up 7-3. After coming into this matchup with a noteworthy streak without throwing an interception, Derek Carr was picked off by Bashaud Breeland to close out the first quarter. In the red zone, a well-executed sweep play allowed Tyreek Hill to stroll into the end zone for six points, increasing the Chiefs’ lead to 14-3.
With the Chiefs’ offense in rhythm, it was time for Las Vegas to answer back by via the passing game, or else risk letting the game slip away early. A five-play, 75-yard drive gave Las Vegas their first touchdown of the game, capped by a stellar 59-yard touchdown throw from Derek Carr to Nelson Agholor, cut the Chiefs’ lead to 14-10.
To close out the first half a back-and-forth ensued between Las Vegas and Kansas City. Mahomes strikes first with an incredible scramble in the red zone, finding Sammy Watkins for the touchdown. And immediately after, Devontae Booker‘s 43-yard run put the Raiders in excellent field position, with Derek Carr finding Darren Waller in the endzone to return the favor, keeping the game close at 21-17.
Before the first half came to a close, Henry Ruggs displayed exactly why the Raiders drafted him with their first-round pick in this year’s draft. As Derek Carr allowed time for the play to develop, he hit Henry Ruggs with a perfect 72-yard touchdown throw, with Ruggs showing his breakaway speed at the end, giving Las Vegas 24 points and tying the game by halftime.
After holding Mahomes to just four pass attempts in the third quarter, Josh Jacobs joined in the Raiders’ scoring spree himself. After going for it on fourth and short in Chiefs’ territory, Jacobs rewarded Gruden’s decision making with a seven-yard touchdown run, giving Las Vegas a 30-24 lead.
A Patrick Mahomes interception in the fourth quarter, combined with Josh Jacobs’ second rushing touchdown of the day allowed Las Vegas to drop 40 points on the Chiefs, giving them the lead they would never surrender in the 40-32 win.